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Lower Ability Player Not Developing

Marc Hollis

Hi all, looking for some advice.

I'm coaching U11 girls and a core of the team have been playing together since U8. One of the girls has always been a bit behind in terms of ability and awareness/understanding but the gap has been getting bigger over time.

I took over coaching this season and in training she cannot compete with the other girls, no matter what restrictions or rules I put in place. I've tried passive defending, no contact, walking pace, and many other things to try to even the playing field a bit but she just cannot seem to be competitive with the rest of the team (or opposition in games).

Excluding warmup and technical drills, she won't get a touch of the ball or make a single tackle and the same happens in games.

To keep her involved I have to spend a disproportionate amount of time with her so I asked a coach to time it in our last session and of the hour, I spent 15 mins individually with her and less than that individually with the other players combined.

Any tips on how I can get her more involved or how to make sure her needs don't take too much time away from the other 13 players on the team?

Thanks in advance.

Parents Reply Children
  • 0 in reply to Lee Cooper

    Hi Lee,

    She is one of the quieter girls but she still chats and has a laugh with the others.

    She will also call for the ball and be vocal that sort of way.

  • 0 in reply to Marc Hollis

    As a positive her calling for the ball and wanting it, is a massive win. showing she really wants to be part of the game even if some of her actions may not seem like it.

    Do you have IDP for the players, if not try and make a bespoke one for to work on in her own time and at training.

    Have you tried something like a small SSG with a 4v2 the girl being part of the 2 and trying to get her to win the ball and either keeping it for so long or scoring ASAP. but make sure to start with they are easy big wins.

    really to build her confidence has much as possible 

  • 0 in reply to Lee Cooper

    Yeah, I'm happy with her desire to be involved and her effort to get involved. Her actions definitely don't suggest she doesn't want to be part of the game. The problem is more finding ways to make that possible.

    I have tried handicap teams. When she is on the team with less players she can't win the ball. When she is on the team with more players, she can't get the ball for more than a split second before she is tackled.

    When I say the ability gap is large, I mean it is like they are different age groups. For lack of a nicer way to say it, all the other girls are mentally stronger (better concentration, faster reaction times, higher awareness and more game knowledge), physically stronger & faster and technically better.

    I have no problem with doing what I can to keep her involved at training and, as much as possible, in games but I'm worried about it holding the other girls back. Over the last few months I have started to see the other girls are aware of the gap and have overheard some make comments to themselves (which I've nipped in the bud).

    Sorry for the long response, just want to give as much clarity on the situation as possible.

  • 0 in reply to Lee Cooper

    Have you tried to make her a leader from design to practice to give more ownership in training this could help with her seeing the process work better if shes had an input in it.

    Also have you worked on how to shield the ball to keep it longer and maybe 3 stages of control touch pass

    its really hard but investment and confidence building is a big thing which i can see your trying.

    what about her age is she one of the younger ones in the group