Non Club Bashing Question about U9/U10 coaches

[Anonymous]

Had a conversation with my brother-in-law this weekend and realized we had completely different views. So was looking for some other opinions..
Not a Club-centric or bashing question.

What do people think the ideal coach at the U9/U10 age group is like...

How much directing from the sidelines during a game?
How do they act/react when the team is winning by a huge margin?
How do they act/react when the team is losing by a large margin?
What's their primary motivating technique?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had a conversation with my brother-in-law this weekend and realized we had completely different views. So was looking for some other opinions..
Not a Club-centric or bashing question.

What do people think the ideal coach at the U9/U10 age group is like...

How much directing from the sidelines during a game?
How do they act/react when the team is winning by a huge margin?
How do they act/react when the team is losing by a large margin?
What's their primary motivating technique?

How much directing from the sidelines during a game?

Little to none. The coaching should come at practice, the game is to see the kids think, and play, for themselves. Nothing hurts development more than a coach that joysticks their kids.

How do they act/react when the team is winning by a huge margin?

Moving positions around, practicing possession game. Pay reserves more if they have reserves.

How do they act/react when the team is losing by a large margin?

Scream louder at the kids. That always gets them to play better. Kidding obviously.

What's their primary motivating technique?

Ideally, improving the kids, building confidence. Not many coaches like that unfortunately. Too many win first folks.

[Anonymous]

I see I'm not the only one pondering this from time to time with friends. Here is my shot at addressing your questions:

How much directing from the sidelines during a game?
Motivate the kids and empower them to make mistakes and make adjustments.

How do they act/react when the team is winning by a huge margin?

5 pt margin and they should start forcing more passes and even move attackers to the back line and visa versa. Remove 1-2 players off the field, change out goalie to get field time, etc. At some point, you need to force a no shoot policy to win with class.

How do they act/react when the team is losing by a large margin?

Again, make it a teaching moment with force the win/loss at a play level and not game level.

What's their primary motivating technique?
Encouragement, focus on the things they are doing well or attempting to do, keep the negatives as a topic for practice not during the game. Stay engaged throughout and always leave the field with a positive.

[Anonymous]

How much directing from the sidelines during a game?

The best coaches my kids have had at this age all did a moderate amount of talking to the kids during games, typically when they saw that the kids were forgetting to put into effect something the coach had been emphasizing in practice or when the kid was not thinking about where they were supposed to be on the field (like a reminder that you don't need to be all the way back on defense if your team is up the field on offense). There is a huge difference between occasional instruction and "joysticking". It may be a coincidence, but the worst coaches all fell into the "Let the game be the teacher" camp and were silent during the games. Most of them were well read on the latest "best practices" and could earnestly explain the various theories, but were not actually able to evaluate kid or team weaknesses very well, nor take the actions that kids needed to improve.

How do they act/react when the team is winning by a huge margin? How do they act/react when the team is losing by a large margin?

The best coaches we have had act the same in both cases, reminding kids of where they should be, etc. and not letting the score dictate their coaching points.

What's their primary motivating technique?

We have had good coaches who were very effusive when the kids performed well, and others who were matter of fact no matter what the game result was. In both cases, the best coaches are consistent and take the time to explain to kids what they did well, and what needs work. They also tend to talk a lot about how effort and practice are the two most important factors, and they always praise kids who give 100% every practice.

[Anonymous]

I think coaches not talking during games is such an overrated idea. U9 and U10 kids need some support. A lot of them are learning positions for the first time and don't have the space to work on that during practice. There are ways of talking to the kids that still gets them thinking... "Johnny, where are you?" rather than non-stop joystick instructions. I think the little kids NEED this.

The best coaches I have seen for the the younger age group give this sort of feedback during the games PLUS clearly have two or three short phrases/verbal instructions that they repeat throughout the game. They don't joystick but they do use the games as opportunities for the kids to learn from their mistakes.

One of my kid's coaches at the beginning of U9, if he saw kids making a mistake, would usually throw out a question to the player to let him figure it out and fix mistake. In the meantime, he'd ask kids on the bench, what should player be doing? If the player made same mistake, coach would take him out, put in the kid who answered correctly, and have a quick conversation with the removed player on the sideline. He wasn't mean or humiliating about the lessons. I don't think the kids felt unfairly punished or anything but it was enough to get their attention. It also required a huge effort and investment on the part of the coach.

Obviously most of us believe that motivating should be positive, but I think it's crucial for kids to be told they are making mistakes and learn to move on from that.

[Anonymous]

During the game, the better coaches talk to the kids on the bench and the kids who just came off the field. They give a little instruction and encourage to the players on the field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think coaches not talking during games is such an overrated idea. U9 and U10 kids need some support. A lot of them are learning positions for the first time and don't have the space to work on that during practice. There are ways of talking to the kids that still gets them thinking... "Johnny, where are you?" rather than non-stop joystick instructions. I think the little kids NEED this.

The best coaches I have seen for the the younger age group give this sort of feedback during the games PLUS clearly have two or three short phrases/verbal instructions that they repeat throughout the game. They don't joystick but they do use the games as opportunities for the kids to learn from their mistakes.

One of my kid's coaches at the beginning of U9, if he saw kids making a mistake, would usually throw out a question to the player to let him figure it out and fix mistake. In the meantime, he'd ask kids on the bench, what should player be doing? If the player made same mistake, coach would take him out, put in the kid who answered correctly, and have a quick conversation with the removed player on the sideline. He wasn't mean or humiliating about the lessons. I don't think the kids felt unfairly punished or anything but it was enough to get their attention. It also required a huge effort and investment on the part of the coach.

Obviously most of us believe that motivating should be positive, but I think it's crucial for kids to be told they are making mistakes and learn to move on from that.

Completely agree with you on the notion that coaches shouldn't talk during games. Most kids are way too inexperienced as players at this age to be able to focus on the whole field or synthesize what worked or didn't with either their own play or their team's play as a whole. A simple instruction or correction in the moment is a lot more effective than doing it later when the kid likely has no memory of what the coach is referring to.

[Anonymous]

totally disagree... this is the age they need the most coaching . Its almost impossible to creat game situations in training. The kids need to be coached until it becomes second nature. where to be how to play the ball . as they get older the coaching commands a more simple, push up, hold you line hold your run. Switch attack, etc. The whole let the kids play free only develops 1v1 foot skills no position play or shape or schemes.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I feel coaches don’t focus enough on taking about decision-making with their players during games. If you wait to convey something to a player at an opportune time when the ball is away from them, or pull them out to talk about a decision, or use players on the field as examples for players who play the same position on the bench, it’s not joysticking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think coaches not talking during games is such an overrated idea. U9 and U10 kids need some support. A lot of them are learning positions for the first time and don't have the space to work on that during practice. There are ways of talking to the kids that still gets them thinking... "Johnny, where are you?" rather than non-stop joystick instructions. I think the little kids NEED this.

The best coaches I have seen for the the younger age group give this sort of feedback during the games PLUS clearly have two or three short phrases/verbal instructions that they repeat throughout the game. They don't joystick but they do use the games as opportunities for the kids to learn from their mistakes.

One of my kid's coaches at the beginning of U9, if he saw kids making a mistake, would usually throw out a question to the player to let him figure it out and fix mistake. In the meantime, he'd ask kids on the bench, what should player be doing? If the player made same mistake, coach would take him out, put in the kid who answered correctly, and have a quick conversation with the removed player on the sideline. He wasn't mean or humiliating about the lessons. I don't think the kids felt unfairly punished or anything but it was enough to get their attention. It also required a huge effort and investment on the part of the coach.

Obviously most of us believe that motivating should be positive, but I think it's crucial for kids to be told they are making mistakes and learn to move on from that.

Completely agree with you on the notion that coaches shouldn't talk during games. Most kids are way too inexperienced as players at this age to be able to focus on the whole field or synthesize what worked or didn't with either their own play or their team's play as a whole. A simple instruction or correction in the moment is a lot more effective than doing it later when the kid likely has no memory of what the coach is referring to.

Totally agree, what's the point of having a paid coach if he doesn't talk during the games. The one exception is yelling instructions at the kid who has the ball, which I hate, especially from parents. The coach should let them play and then encourage/critique after the play as necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think coaches not talking during games is such an overrated idea. U9 and U10 kids need some support. A lot of them are learning positions for the first time and don't have the space to work on that during practice. There are ways of talking to the kids that still gets them thinking... "Johnny, where are you?" rather than non-stop joystick instructions. I think the little kids NEED this.

The best coaches I have seen for the the younger age group give this sort of feedback during the games PLUS clearly have two or three short phrases/verbal instructions that they repeat throughout the game. They don't joystick but they do use the games as opportunities for the kids to learn from their mistakes.

One of my kid's coaches at the beginning of U9, if he saw kids making a mistake, would usually throw out a question to the player to let him figure it out and fix mistake. In the meantime, he'd ask kids on the bench, what should player be doing? If the player made same mistake, coach would take him out, put in the kid who answered correctly, and have a quick conversation with the removed player on the sideline. He wasn't mean or humiliating about the lessons. I don't think the kids felt unfairly punished or anything but it was enough to get their attention. It also required a huge effort and investment on the part of the coach.

Obviously most of us believe that motivating should be positive, but I think it's crucial for kids to be told they are making mistakes and learn to move on from that.

Completely agree with you on the notion that coaches shouldn't talk during games. Most kids are way too inexperienced as players at this age to be able to focus on the whole field or synthesize what worked or didn't with either their own play or their team's play as a whole. A simple instruction or correction in the moment is a lot more effective than doing it later when the kid likely has no memory of what the coach is referring to.

Totally agree, what's the point of having a paid coach if he doesn't talk during the games. The one exception is yelling instructions at the kid who has the ball, which I hate, especially from parents. The coach should let them play and then encourage/critique after the play as necessary.

That usually tends to be the parents. “Yeah, Tucker, send it!” “Come on, you guys, pressure!”

[Anonymous]

The coaches should not do joystick coaching in real time during the games. The amount of instruction should vary upon individual circumstances of each team. At this age, I expect that coaches would provide some limited instruction about positioning, etc., but would not try to comment on every mistake the players make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The coaches should not do joystick coaching in real time during the games. The amount of instruction should vary upon individual circumstances of each team. At this age, I expect that coaches would provide some limited instruction about positioning, etc., but would not try to comment on every mistake the players make.

I think everyone agrees that joystick coaching is bad, and also that it would be bad if a coach was commenting on players' mistakes throughout the game. But where did the idea come from that coaches should remain silent throughout a game for players this age? Seems completely nutty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coaches should not do joystick coaching in real time during the games. The amount of instruction should vary upon individual circumstances of each team. At this age, I expect that coaches would provide some limited instruction about positioning, etc., but would not try to comment on every mistake the players make.

I think everyone agrees that joystick coaching is bad, and also that it would be bad if a coach was commenting on players' mistakes throughout the game. But where did the idea come from that coaches should remain silent throughout a game for players this age? Seems completely nutty.

It’s looked down upon in some circles because there’s this picture of what a coach should look and act like. A large amount of youth coaches in Latin America are constantly talking to their team, not joysticking but coaching, and that doesn’t mean that they’re bad at what they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think coaches not talking during games is such an overrated idea. U9 and U10 kids need some support. A lot of them are learning positions for the first time and don't have the space to work on that during practice. There are ways of talking to the kids that still gets them thinking... "Johnny, where are you?" rather than non-stop joystick instructions. I think the little kids NEED this.

The best coaches I have seen for the the younger age group give this sort of feedback during the games PLUS clearly have two or three short phrases/verbal instructions that they repeat throughout the game. They don't joystick but they do use the games as opportunities for the kids to learn from their mistakes.

One of my kid's coaches at the beginning of U9, if he saw kids making a mistake, would usually throw out a question to the player to let him figure it out and fix mistake. In the meantime, he'd ask kids on the bench, what should player be doing? If the player made same mistake, coach would take him out, put in the kid who answered correctly, and have a quick conversation with the removed player on the sideline. He wasn't mean or humiliating about the lessons. I don't think the kids felt unfairly punished or anything but it was enough to get their attention. It also required a huge effort and investment on the part of the coach.

Obviously most of us believe that motivating should be positive, but I think it's crucial for kids to be told they are making mistakes and learn to move on from that.

+1. Totally agree. During practice they are training on a small portion of the field. If they don't receive coaching during the game they would never learn! The best coaches my kids have had help them to be aware of where they should be/what is going on.