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New Under-7s Manager

Robert Spour

Hello Everyone,

I will be taking on a newly founded under-7s team this season. I have been assisting with the Under 9s and remaining with them next season as the assistant. The club offered me the oppurtunity to take on the U7s and Head Coach/Manager and i'd be lying if I didn't say i'm not really excited to start. I have completed the Introduction to football and am registered and awaiting a place on my UEFA C. I have atttended all FA CPD webinars and worked through as much of the online learning and boot room articles as possible.

I already work professionally in sports training, coaching and Instructing and one thing i've learned over the years is to absorb advise and ideas from your peers and take the bits you like and adapt them to suit you and your message. I'm after any advice from other coaches that they feel may be useful. With an extra interest on input related to the foundation phase. I'm after all areas. Parents relations, Player relations, Training, match day, administration. You name it.

Thanks in advance to anyone that takes the time to and over some tips. However large or small the response it's all gratefully received.

Rob.

Parents

  • Sounds like you already have the knowledge you need. 
    Just my take: 

    - Trust yourself. Dont always look to others for the answer. Be/Do you
    - Be authentic. Makes it so much easier. If you have high energy and fun, then be that. Don't be the drill sergeant if that's not you. If you are competitive and will expect a lot from them, then be upfront from the start so everyone knows and has the choice to go elsewhere.
    - related to the above. Remember....they are kids! They might remember winning a trophy but they 100% will remember how you made them feel at football every week. 
    - You won't please everyone
    - Parents relations - be upfront as early as possible and stick to who you are
    - Player relations - be consistent with them and be kind. Dont EVER lose your temper over kids' football - they learn more from you than you think at this age,
    - Training - game related. Fun. As many touches as you can. Introduce a new skill every week. get excited about skills and show off. get them excited about showing off skills and practicing at home. 
    - match day - fun. make it as much like training as you can. set up a small pitch for subs. full-time penalties. full-time treat - get a family each week to bring a full-time snack. 
    - administration - get a parent to do all of this ASAP. Make a list of 3 or 4 roles you need to fill and divvy it out asap.
    - foundation phase - ITS BLOODY MAGIC! You should be honored to be there for them. Their brains are the best NOW. Get them running, twisting, turning, dodging, and include a  ball as much as you can. Be their friend. Don't forget, they are kids! 
    - Get them a ball each to take home with them

    I have an u10s group and I've just started an u5 group and I love it. 
    Main things Im doing differently with my u5s

    1. new skill every week (make it related to something fun - unicorns, super heroes, sharks etc)
    2. get them used to being tackled and encourage them to 'go steal it back' - make stealing the ball sound as much fun as scoring
    3. encourage/highlight being polite/kind - helping each other up, putting a hand up when you are talking etc
    4. ask more questions and just let them play
    5. less queues and more chaos - if they can dribble a ball inside a square with 15 other kids, then they do not need to dribble around cones

    Thank you for posting the question. Had me thinking. I think Ill use this answer to send to my parents as we start u6s in Sept :)

    If you enjoy it, they will.

  • in reply to Darren Williams

    Darren, thank you for such a considered response. Some great points and considerations. You're correct I do feel very honoured. Can't wait to get going tbh. Really pleased to see that some thoughts and considerations I already had are within the thoughts and feedback of others. Hopefully will give me a great starting point to work from.

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