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Does anyone feel that the Level 1 and Playmaker courses set you up to fail?

David Alexander

I been coaching a Division 7 u12 side. First season. 

Does anyone feel that the courses are not relevant to coaching kids that aren't like the ones in the coaching videos? 

The disruptive kids. The ones that aren't interested in learning anything beyond booting a ball at a goal. The ones who will only play where they want to play.  

I feel more like a youth club worker who only gets relief once the match has started and there's an independent referee in charge. Then you're just praying that the match finishes without any incidents that are going to keep your phone buzzing throughout Sunday and beyond.  

Then there's planning training, only to get about 30 productive minutes out of an hour that is nothing but an hour of banging your head against a wall. 

And then there's the adults to deal with. Over invested coaches and parents etc etc. Getting people in the same place at the same time. Juggling 5 pitches between 25 teams. 

The courses seem to be quality at the time. You go into the season feeling well equipped to make a difference, but in reality the courses only seem to be a realistic reflection of things for a tiny minority of the youth grassroots teams out there.

Yes I realise that I've been unsuccessful and haven't got the right skillset to do it, but it's just a thought about the "ideal world" viewpoint of the courses. 

  • Hi David, there are loads of great articles (via the link at the top) that provide advice on disruptive children and dealing with parents. Check them out - they should help. 

  • Hi David
    I'm sorry to hear that the courses have made you feel this way.
    Have you tried having an FA Coach Mentor? They may be able to offer you the support in your context and give you hints and tips tailored to you, your players and your environment as we appreciate there's not a 'one fits all' approach. 
    Alternatively, speak to your County FA to see if a Coach Development Officer could use your players to do a county CPD event so that it allows you to see your players in a different way by viewing a different coach working with them.  You may have to meet certain logistics like, training time and if there's access to an indoor space for theory.
    You could also try to work with other coaches within your club, perhaps the same age group where once a quarter you rotate squads at training.  This means you get a chance to work with other players but a colleague will have a chance to work with yours and perhaps give you some new ideas on how to work with your players.  They may have a different approach or rules that the players listen to as they're not as familiar with that coach.
    Lastly, if you haven't done so already get some basic rules in place around Resect, Learning and Safety and keep to these rules when behaviour becomes challenging.  Don't be afraid to ask a player to sit out but be sure to have a conversation with them about their behaviour before they go back into the practice.
    Hope the above helps in some way.

  • Hi David, likewise it is a shame that this is your experience. I can't comment on current Level 1, it was a long time ago and very adult player focused. Before recommending Playmaker to my young coaches (and parents) I did it myself and thought for free and online it was very good. It took quite a lot of the Youth Modules and focused on younger players. But it was football focused and in that limited time couldn't give sufficient attention to a more specialised subject around disruptive kids, it certainly didn't set up anyone to fail. Kids grassroots football is not working in an academy - it is about creating the right environment, dealing with parents, players of all types, rubbish facilities, dog poo, forgotten kit, tears and tantrums, and taking satisfaction when and where it occurs. My biggest learning was watch a Pro Licence session which was a disaster and realising it happens to us all. Start with the CWO and get more support from the club to deal with parents and and an extra set of hands to help with player behaviour. They are 11 years old wanting to kick  ball and have some fun. Stick with it, stick with them. I wish you all the best. Div 7 and first season is all about development. I have been doing this nearly 25 years and have a development squad that can test the patience of a saint but bit by bit they are getting there and that is so rewarding. Hope this helps