This blog could easily look like a criticism of a fellow coach but it isn't. It's closer to a personal criticism and a reminder for similar future situations.
At the start of this season I was approached by a parent from another club asking if I had space for their son. I did, so I signed him on to my Under 10 team.
The lad is very keen, well behaved and of a decent footballing standard. He's also an exceptional athlete.
However, after watching him play for a few games I noticed he just pretty much stood still or dropped deeper and deeper from his centre midfield position. This puzzled me so I set him a goal of being more forward thinking and expecting him to contribute more in an attacking sense.
I'd observed the player, identified what I thought was an issue and put plans in place to help. All sound ok?
No, not really. Whatever I did with him had little impact.
Why couldn't I coax this powerful, athletic player to be more forward thinking?
Anyone guessed it yet?
This week's training was about passing and receiving and I was watching the kids simply knock the ball to each other, control it and knock it back. As simple as it gets.
Out of the blue, the player in question told another player he shouldn't control the ball with the sole of his foot. The other kids stopped and looked at me.
After playing futsal for a year we are used to controlling it however we want.
"We can NEVER do that" insisted the player.
I asked him why and he said his previous coach had banned it.
Penny drops.
"What else are you NOT allowed to do?"
"I can't pass to the left hand side of the pitch"
"Anything else?"
"Yeah I can't go over half way"
"What? ever?"
"No never"
In my haste to provide a solution I'd not even had a chat with him about why he just stands around inside our half. I'd spotted an issue and put plans in place to help. However, none of that mattered. Id forgotten the player!
Now I have no idea why a coach would condition a nine year old like that but like I said at the beginning, I'm not bothered about him. How he run's his team is up to him. I try to only deal with what's in my influence.
The player is in my team and I'd forgot to centre the coaching on him. Also, if I had done, I'd have had a bloody simple solution.
We chatted, and to their credit, the other players reinforced that in this team he can try anything. Anything he wants to do!
In the open game at the end of the session he was incredible. Picking the ball up deep, dribbling as far as he could, popping off one-twos and scoring twice.
Spotting issues is easy. Sessions to help are all over the place. But if we don't start with the player we are missing the point.
Looking back, I know I know this. I know where I should start but I didn't. I wonder if it's an easy trap?
Please don't condition young kids to play football how you want them to but also, when you want to help, start with them.
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