Every time theyre not looking throw the ball gently at them and then ask if it hurt!  We did that on a player and they kept saying no, it became a big joke with them.  And they were no longer scared of the ball

Hi Christopher

No I have not had a situation as bad as yours sounds. I think it's quite normal for a child to be aware of something falling and see it as a potential danger though. Have they been hit by a ball or another object? Has someone made them aware of the potential dangers of heading a ball?

I think chat to their parents and find out more about them. Then say it's fine to feel like that but maybe make a game of how quick can they get involved once the ball is on the floor. Also do some catching games with balloons, or soft toys, bubbles. As long as they don't touch anyone else's hands. As their confidence grows perhaps throw a ball away from them and ask them to go and get it. Bounce a ball and catch it.

I guess it's all part of being a coach

Could try playing dodgeball to build confidence of balls coming at them?

Hi Christopher, this is not as uncommon as you may think. Is the player new to playing? I have had this with several of the young group we have at our club. Personally I think avoiding getting hit by a flying object should be considered a sign of intelligence than fear. Never underestimate the social intelligence of the young is something I have learned. Have you any Sponge balls in your equipment? The high density ones that you can kick and get almost realistic result. 

When I go indoors with our youngest groups over the winter, I will always have games using sponge balls as part of sessions, they don't hurt if you get caught unawares by one that's been kicked. the are great for establishing eye/ball co-ordination, catching, control etc. I'm sure you will have played super shot with your players at some stage. If you have a number of sponge balls, and have access to some goals or maybe some of the small pop up goals (3 side by side to crete a bigger target.

Set up a small pitch goals at either end, Maybe 8m (deep, 4m per side to half-way line) by 8 meters wide (make wider than the goal(s) being used will encourages shots from different angles) add a half-way line (red cones are good). Each team has multiple players from 2-6 per team depending on size of goals and area available. Rules: only one team at a time can shoot,  no one is allowed to cross the red half-way line, Every player is a striker, every player is a goalkeeper. If you score with a shot your team gets a point, if you save the shot your team gets a point. spare sponge balls at either end to keep the game running. There are lots of balls coming in high, coming in low, high. Loads of action, a bit of mayhem and the players love it. And it goes some way to desensitising players fear of a ball in flight. The only problem I have is keeping score as it changes so often, but if I get it wrong there are number of players willing to put me right. A few games of this (over a number of weeks, it is not a quick fix) and then some receiving games (getting into line, selecting surface etc) will hopefully go some way to allaying their fear and raise the opportunities the ball gives them when in the air. Keep at it, they will get there.

Thanks very much Philip, that sounds like a great idea. Couple of questions for the game - does every player have a ball and do they shoot individually or all at once?

Chris, thanks for raising this as I am sure many other coaches have had very similar experiences. Just a note of caution and a cry for sensitivity and common sense. It is not unusual for young children to be scared of moving objects. The more we draw attention to it and try to "fix" it the worse it may become. My advice would be to accept that these things happen and see it as something that will inevitably change and improve over time. If the ball is in the air a lot I would ask why at this young age? There has been lots of advice and the coaches mean well and are obviously trying to solve the problem. For me there isn't a problem with an U9 player doing this and so keep supporting all your players (who will all come with their little ways) to enjoy the game that they come to play. Pete

They have to manage taking it in turns and sharing the shooting. One team shoots - once they have either scored/missed or a save has happened, then the other team takes its turn and so on. If some of the players feel less like sharing you may be put in a rule that if you take 2 shots in a row the other team automatically gets a goal. Put in a half time- maybe 7 and then swop ends. If you want to create overloads, if a player misses, they have to retrieve the ball leaving their team a player short. Encourage volleys, lay offs, get creative with your scoring - a save is always 1 pt, but if they catch it maybe give 2 pts,