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Managing an Under 7s Team

Paul Whittenbury

Hi all

I fell into managing an Under 7s side a few months back. We had 6 players originally and I put some adverts out and managed to get us a squad of 10 - however we found upon trying to register them that 4 of them aren't 6 yet and can't be registered until their birthdays meaning we have 6 for our "league" games.

We've had 3 friendlies so far; all ending in defeat; and our first league game yesterday which also ended in a heavy 11-1 defeat.

I feel responsible that I may be letting them down, and I don't want them to lose demotivation as i've come into it primarily wanting to help them find their love of the game and that ability doesn't matter so much however when we play other teams and they are so much more dominant all I can see happening if it continues is my children losing their enjoyment and wanting to leave. Every game we've played the opposition always look so much bigger physically  than my children; it's like U8s vs U7s and yesterday it looked like the opposition CB was about a foot taller than my tallest player. We don't have a specialist goalkeeper so everyone is taking turns; we have a child who seems to have little to no attention on the game and only runs towards the ball if it is near him and we call for him to chase it.

It's really surprised me how organised and the levels of ability for the 4 teams we've played so far and I can't help but feel are we not doing enough for our children; or have we just been mega unlucky? I just assumed most teams would be more about the fair play and helping the kids of both teams enjoy their football but the competitive nature really is soul destroying. 

Does anyone have any advise to overcome this? Anything you feel I can be doing differently? I don't want to let the kids down or walk away from them and I don't intend to for a second I just want to make it as enjoyable for them even if we don't win any games.

Parents

  • Hi Paul.  Thanks for being so honest.  I saw no one has replied to you yet so I thought I'd see if I can give you some advice.  The first thing I'd say is, it takes time mate.  This is a new team, new players, your new to it, you're all on a journey and that's the first thing to remember.  Do you have an assistant? If so, one or both of you take notes of the games and you could breakdown what's happened into your sessions but remember they are 6 years old.  To some you'll sound like the adults in the Charlie Brown cartoon. My team are U8's and I think many have ADHD or ADD so their attention wains.  Be patient.  Do you have other managers you can speak to if your part of a bigger club?  Speak to the former U7 manager and see what they suggest.  Speak to the U7 opposition manager who could well be in the same place as you.  My team won well on Sunday, that result will be forgotten about after this Sunday's game, and this Sunday forgotten about the following Sunday.  You also have to manage the expectations of the parents.  Some may want little Ronaldo's but that takes time, effort and dedication.  How about giving them homework to, in the kitchen, to roll the ball to their feet and receive it back from the pass?  Or work with their child on another aspect?  Also, you can only do what you can do, maybe they need to attend additional football training.  Find a local we make footballers or fulham or whoever and post it in the group encouraging them to take them to more football.  You're a volunteer, those coaches are paid and on their journey's further than you.  Above all else.  Just tell them to have fun.  Kids at U7 will sneeze and wipe it on the jersey without thinking hahaha.  They're kids.  Let them be that.  Good luck mate.    

Reply

  • Hi Paul.  Thanks for being so honest.  I saw no one has replied to you yet so I thought I'd see if I can give you some advice.  The first thing I'd say is, it takes time mate.  This is a new team, new players, your new to it, you're all on a journey and that's the first thing to remember.  Do you have an assistant? If so, one or both of you take notes of the games and you could breakdown what's happened into your sessions but remember they are 6 years old.  To some you'll sound like the adults in the Charlie Brown cartoon. My team are U8's and I think many have ADHD or ADD so their attention wains.  Be patient.  Do you have other managers you can speak to if your part of a bigger club?  Speak to the former U7 manager and see what they suggest.  Speak to the U7 opposition manager who could well be in the same place as you.  My team won well on Sunday, that result will be forgotten about after this Sunday's game, and this Sunday forgotten about the following Sunday.  You also have to manage the expectations of the parents.  Some may want little Ronaldo's but that takes time, effort and dedication.  How about giving them homework to, in the kitchen, to roll the ball to their feet and receive it back from the pass?  Or work with their child on another aspect?  Also, you can only do what you can do, maybe they need to attend additional football training.  Find a local we make footballers or fulham or whoever and post it in the group encouraging them to take them to more football.  You're a volunteer, those coaches are paid and on their journey's further than you.  Above all else.  Just tell them to have fun.  Kids at U7 will sneeze and wipe it on the jersey without thinking hahaha.  They're kids.  Let them be that.  Good luck mate.    

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