General Training

Hi,

I coach an under 9 team, how do you deal with players that are not as mature as other player and keep mucking around? Which in turn effects other players.

We have three teams for under 9, I'm considering moving players between teams based on ability, this will enable players to develop.  Is this the right approach?

Thank you

Paul

Parents
  • Hi Paul,

    A common and typical challenge amongst this age group. Would moving the children just move the problem? Some things to consider:

    - find out why they are coming to football, is it to see/be with their friends? 

    - consider practice design, how can your sessions and practices be super engaging for the age group and players you coach?

    - consider coaching methods, what works with the group and what works with individual players? 

    - give attention to and highlight the behaviours of the children who are engaged to the whole of the group rather than any disruptive behaviours (look for Pete Sturgess Sessions as examples, he is excellent at doing this and modelling coach behaviours), this works with some children who then try to mimic positive behaviours as this is where the coach is focussing their attention. 

    - talk to the parents about how this is managed at school/home to help you. How can we support the children to regulate and recognise the impact of some of their behaviours. What tactics can you use as a coach? This is a life skill that we can help them to learn in our football settings. 

    - consider that even though they are in the same age group some children could still be a lot younger than their peers e.g. a Child born in August will be nearly a year younger than another child in the same group born in September. So the August child could potentially be less physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively developed (mature) than their team mates at that point in time. So we may need to adjust our expectations of some children with this in mind. This links to knowing your players. Are they the youngest or oldest in the group?

    Some more tips here: https://www.thefa.com/bootroom/resources/coaching/how-to-manage-player-behaviour

    Let me know what you think!

    EH

Reply
  • Hi Paul,

    A common and typical challenge amongst this age group. Would moving the children just move the problem? Some things to consider:

    - find out why they are coming to football, is it to see/be with their friends? 

    - consider practice design, how can your sessions and practices be super engaging for the age group and players you coach?

    - consider coaching methods, what works with the group and what works with individual players? 

    - give attention to and highlight the behaviours of the children who are engaged to the whole of the group rather than any disruptive behaviours (look for Pete Sturgess Sessions as examples, he is excellent at doing this and modelling coach behaviours), this works with some children who then try to mimic positive behaviours as this is where the coach is focussing their attention. 

    - talk to the parents about how this is managed at school/home to help you. How can we support the children to regulate and recognise the impact of some of their behaviours. What tactics can you use as a coach? This is a life skill that we can help them to learn in our football settings. 

    - consider that even though they are in the same age group some children could still be a lot younger than their peers e.g. a Child born in August will be nearly a year younger than another child in the same group born in September. So the August child could potentially be less physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively developed (mature) than their team mates at that point in time. So we may need to adjust our expectations of some children with this in mind. This links to knowing your players. Are they the youngest or oldest in the group?

    Some more tips here: https://www.thefa.com/bootroom/resources/coaching/how-to-manage-player-behaviour

    Let me know what you think!

    EH

Children
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