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U13's Coach At A Crossroads - Value your Input

David Jones

I’m an U13’s coach and find myself at a bit of a crossroads…

This is my 4th season coaching and our team has really developed over the last 4 years. I have some great kids and the progress they have made has been amazing. At U10's we started as a team who had barely kicked a ball before and, from the bottom Division we have been promoted 4 divisions and won a couple of tournaments along the way. During this time we have picked up some better players and this has in turn really helped the group. We carry 15 players for 11 a-side.

Our philosophy has always been sharing game time, and as a minimum every player plays at least half a game, every match. Some times all in 1 spell and at others they may take 2 tuns on the sidelines but still get in at least 35 minutes.

As we continue our progression, our players are developing and the team gets better, we are challenging ourselves against better teams and better players. The kids are getting older, and the results really matter to them. 

This is where I’m starting to struggle and know the right things to do.

Some of our players are being left behind as they haven’t developed as much as others, and when we play better teams and want to remain competitive, making changes to give equal game time makes us weaker and as a team. As the kids are now 12/13 and we are moving to U14 i'm noticing this is causing friction in the group as they want to win and it now matters more to them.

I have some players who want to play in a certain position, but I feel they aren’t strong enough or have the right attributes for that position. We will keep working with them however the crossroads I’m at is:

  • Do I carry on with our philosophy and give equal game time, some times at the detriment to the team and our progression? The worry I have may mean we lose some of our better players next year?
  • Do I have a conversation to tell them I need them to improve in certain areas for them to stay in those positions and keep their game time up? Then give game time purely based on effort and performance in equal measure
  • Do I move them into other roles, but as we have an abundance of players in those roles their game time will suffer and tell them they have to fight for their positions?

Any advice is appreciated as feel I need to make some decisions to keep the team progressing and unsure the right way for both my individual players and the team. 

  • Hi David,

    A real philosophical and almost existential dilemma. There are no easy or simple answers but I am happy to discuss this with you if you wish and have the time.

    If you want to talk it over, drop me an e-mail and I can let you have my number and you can let me know if you want to discuss it.

    coach.phythian@ntlworld.com

    I don't have "answers" but have 30+ years experience and have been challenging myself around exactly this point the last 12-18 months.

    Interestingly, I write a post on my (very occasional) blog a little while ago about exactly this:

    https://afanwithabadge.blogspot.com/2022/03/does-long-term-player-development-work.html?m=1

    Some of the content raises the same questions you have and suggests some different approaches.

    You also need to have one eye on your club's philosophy and approach and also what do the players want?

    Happy to try and help.

    Best regards 

    Steve

  • I had 20 players went to matches with 14

    i completely changed the formation and style when we moved to u16’s

    and focused getting the players comfortable in playing positions they weren’t used too.

    starting in training and a summer tournament.

    All being rotated in missing out and all getting the game time.

    it took from summer to Xmas to earn their trust and for them to believe in themselves that it could work

    we didnt win the league but came 2nd a great example of everyone from coaches to players to parents trusting each other.

    stick to what you believe but be transparent with everyone from the start

    best of luck

  • Hi David. This probably isn't an uncommon dilemma. However, your success to date is driven by your good leadership and dedication, and also your team's philosophy. I'm sure that when you first started out, results weren't important. For me, development of players is the key. Players end up making their own decisions about whether to carry on or not eventually. There could be times in the near future when numbers are tight and a struggle, so marginalising players could be costly.

    Also, football is about life lessons and teamwork, and how as a team do players support each other. Also how do players deal with results, and coaches too.

    This is only my opinion, but I would always be true to my founding principles and not be swayed by success, and reiterate this to my players. We win and lose as a team, and and the team was formed to give children a chance to play.

    It sounds like you have done an incredible job David, but don't lose sight of why you got into coaching.

    Just my thoughts.

    Rich