Hi Marc Hollis , thanks for sharing you current challenge within your coaching of Under 11 girls.

In wanting to provide some guidance, I am interested to know a few things:

- what does a typical practice session look like with your group?

- how many girls attend practice sessions?

- What size pitch space do you have?

Regards,

Vinny Halsall

FA Grassroots Coach Development Team

Hi Vinny,

I'll answer the questions in reverse as it will probably be easier.

The area is about the size of a 5-a-side pitch.

We have a full squad of 14, and typically a minimum of 12 can make training each week.

Sessions I try to split it into three mini sessions. The first to be a warm-up and chat/catch up opportunity, typically up to 15 minutes. Then a 25 minute progressive part, focusing on specific things. Finally ending in some form of competitive game.

As an example, the progressive part could start as a simple passing corner to corner of a box, moving into more complicated pass and move routines and then replicating game scenarios.

The competitive game might be a mini game or sometimes a point-scoring system that gets them to incorporate what we've been working on.

Hope that is clear.

Thanks,

Hi Vinny,

I'll answer the questions in reverse as it will probably be easier.

The area is about the size of a 5-a-side pitch.

We have a full squad of 14, and typically a minimum of 12 can make training each week.

Sessions I try to split it into three mini sessions. The first to be a warm-up and chat/catch up opportunity, typically up to 15 minutes. Then a 25 minute progressive part, focusing on specific things. Finally ending in some form of competitive game.

As an example, the progressive part could start as a simple passing corner to corner of a box, moving into more complicated pass and move routines and then replicating game scenarios.

The competitive game might be a mini game or sometimes a point-scoring system that gets them to incorporate what we've been working on.

Hope that is clear.

Thanks,

Hi Marc Hollis , thanks for your insights around what a typical practice session looks like for your girls' squad. Also, based on the answers you have given to others, it sounds like your young girl really enjoys being part of your squad.

Therefore, a couple of things that might enhance enjoyment and involvement for her, and indeed all of your girls. These ideas are framed around the concept of 'GAMES TO ENGAGE': see resource below which provides detail for the following games underpinned by a simple themed approach 'MOVE TO IMPROVE'.

1. For warm-up/arrival activity, play TAG games which can range form 1v1 'cat & mouse' using 5x5m square -see below.

2. 2 x small sided 3v3/4v4 games of 3-2-1 - see below. Great for development across the social and psychological corners in terms of teamwork and tactics.

3. Whole group mulit0directional game GREAT ESCAPE - see below.

Note, more ideas like these are available through our FA PE Team learning page at: https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses/PHYSICAL-EDUCATION 

Let me know how you get on Mark.

Regards, Vinny Halsall

Hi Vinny,

So I have been using the guidance that has been provided by you and others over the last few months. 

I'll be honest it has helped to improve lots of the girls in the team, including those towards the lower end of the ability scale of the team.

Unfortunately it hasn't seemed to help close the gap the the specific girl I had raised this questions about. The situation has actually got worse as those she was closest to have significantly improved whilst she has not.

To add a little bit of context, in mini-games at training she will touch the ball maybe once in a hour and not successfully make a single tackle or force a single mistake, and in actual games she won't touch the ball more than twice in the 30 or so minutes she is on the pitch.

The league we are in is split into three to maintain competitiveness and we are currently at the top of the middle third. Is there any value in exploring options that would put her in more similar ability level groups? We have another team at our club that is in the lower third of the same league system and has players she is more closely matched to. Would you see value in her joining their training session to see if she can be more competitive there and get more opportunity to be more involved in the action?

Hopefully this doesn't sound like I'm giving up or trying to get rid of her as it really isn't. I just don't want her to be left in an environment where she is set up to fail over and over again, with limited progress being made.

Thanks,

i think that would be a great idea, if the player is happy to give it a go and the parents are on board.

making sure it is nit a negative to them but a great opportunity for the players development.

the fact your asking and replying to any advice shows your commitiment and your duty of care for the player

well done and keep going 

all the best lee