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U7 football training - first time coach, first time players!

Darren Kershaw

Hi everyone,

I have just started coaching an U7 team. This is my first position as a coach and it is the first time my club has had an U7 team.

I have played and watched football for over 40 years but this is a brand new experience for me.

I have a regular weekly group of 15-20 players, mostly boys but there are a couple of girls too. I have a few obvious early challenges that I'd like some help or advice for:

  • Range of ability levels - perhaps my biggest challenge. Some of the group have clearly played and watched football for a while, whilst some are complete beginners and new to the game. In some cases they can just about kick the ball, but not much more. How do I cater for this to keep the better players engaged (so they don't get bored) whilst helping to develop the new starters?
  • Bees round honey - whenever we play a game they automatically crowd around the ball and follow it round the pitch in a big messy group, with often the best few players hogging most of the ball - any ideas to overcome this?
  • Attention span - half the battle is just getting them to listen and stand still - so i have to be quick and clear in my instructions - any other ideas for engaging young ones?
  • time on the ball - i often have only enough for one ball between 2 - any ideas to maximise time on the ball for everyone during practice drills?

thank you - any and all advice is most appreciated!

Darren

Parents
  • 0

    - Range of ability levels -  Make sure that you give the better players challenges to help them push themselves. Can they set their own challenges?

    - Bees round honey - The likelihood is that they will do this. But you can cut the impact of this down if you play smaller-sided games. Even if you only have two goals you can have 2/3 games taking place on the same pitch.

    - Attention Span - The more fun you make the session the more attention they give you. Avoid queues and ask questions. Also, there is nothing wrong with being silly and dropping in the odd Dad joke. Say the words poo to bogeys is always a guarantee they pay attention.

    - Time on the ball - Can they bring their own ball?

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  • 0

    - Range of ability levels -  Make sure that you give the better players challenges to help them push themselves. Can they set their own challenges?

    - Bees round honey - The likelihood is that they will do this. But you can cut the impact of this down if you play smaller-sided games. Even if you only have two goals you can have 2/3 games taking place on the same pitch.

    - Attention Span - The more fun you make the session the more attention they give you. Avoid queues and ask questions. Also, there is nothing wrong with being silly and dropping in the odd Dad joke. Say the words poo to bogeys is always a guarantee they pay attention.

    - Time on the ball - Can they bring their own ball?

Children
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