James, thanks for the question but there is a decision you have to make before considering the answer. The decision is whether you see U8's (7 year old children) as players who need time to develop their individual mastery over the ball and their body or whether this time (and there may not be much of it if you only train once a week) should be spent on positions and tactical formations. For me it is crystal clear. 7 year old children have to be encouraged to develop their individual levels of skill. I understand that if you are playing matches you need some kind of shape but the temptation is to spend too much time on this and not enough on individual skill. The game is too fluid to lock players into positions or zones. Focussing on their individual ability will help them to become successful in games and over a longer period of time the idea of shapes/tactics and formations can be introduced. Help make your U8's the most skilful U8's they can be and when they play they will do well. Pete

James, thanks for the question but there is a decision you have to make before considering the answer. The decision is whether you see U8's (7 year old children) as players who need time to develop their individual mastery over the ball and their body or whether this time (and there may not be much of it if you only train once a week) should be spent on positions and tactical formations. For me it is crystal clear. 7 year old children have to be encouraged to develop their individual levels of skill. I understand that if you are playing matches you need some kind of shape but the temptation is to spend too much time on this and not enough on individual skill. The game is too fluid to lock players into positions or zones. Focussing on their individual ability will help them to become successful in games and over a longer period of time the idea of shapes/tactics and formations can be introduced. Help make your U8's the most skilful U8's they can be and when they play they will do well. Pete