Hi Steve, thanks for sharing your question.
It's not an unusual thing for young, novice players to toe poke the ball as they coordinate their movements along with the balance required for kicking a ball
A few things to consider:
- use small-sided…
Football to Music: Always goes down well with female players and is a great way to connect as well as create a vibrant atmosphere. Play a SSG / match to music with the scoring team getting to choose the next song etc.
Handball – Football: Play alternate…
Pens don’t work when it’s damp/wet. I tried to use one at training when we were doing small sided games to get the boys to run off the pitch and add their goals, creating an overload whilst they were gone. Just ended up in a mess as the pens stopped working…
Hi Marc Hollis , thanks for your insights around what a typical practice session looks like for your girls' squad. Also, based on the answers you have given to others, it sounds like your young girl really enjoys being part of your squad.
Therefore…
Hi Colin Spalding
Great question and definitely something coaches will encounter at one time or another.
Something I like to do is force players to play in certain zones of the pitch at training, for example defensive third or midfield third but the…
Hi Alex, hope you’re well. Thanks for the question! It will be good to see what everyone else thinks, but from our perspective, just playing the game of football in training is a fantastic way to help your players develop the physical capabilities needed…
Hi Thomas,
Consider a change in terminology by calling them 'counter attackers'. Your role is to stop the opposition attacks and then set up a counter attack by dribbling, passing to a team mate or running with the ball. explain that you are not merely…
Hi Adam,
I coach mixed groups at a younger age but I personally believe many drills uploaded to places like YouTube can be adapted to fit just about every scenario. My starting point in deciding what to use is 'ability' - what they can physically do;…
Good question. For me, working with an age range from about 4 to 9, our emphasis is almost exclusively on being in possession, i.e. individually keeping the ball close. Then during certain exercises, kids will simply lose possession because they cannot…
Jason, thanks for the post. You will be faced with dealing with one of the most critical periods of development. The move into the YD phase AND the onset of puberty and adolescence with all the issues that this will inevitable bring. You will be tested…
