strategies for coaching a rec team with a massive skill differential between the top and bottom half

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Focus only on skill development. Do not focus on winning games.

+1
This also includes during games. The more advanced players can work on skills that support the weaker players (passing, defense) or their own weaker skills. When my kids played rec we came up against teams with really strong players who were playing to meet certain challenges (passing, footwork, etc), not just score goals. It made the games better for everyone because the weaker players and weaker team had opportunities to see more variety of play and to develop their own skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At rec level, they just need to know the rules of the game and be able to kick the ball. If they care, they would not be playing rec and being coached by a volunteer parent who has no coaching background.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's REC. Who cares? You are a parent volunteer coming here to ask advice?

The kids care. Both the strong ones and the not so strong.

OK, you are definitely trolling.

There can't possibly be parents who actually think is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The bottom players need to be taught basic skills. Is it acceptable to single these players out on coach them separately, while the other players work on more advanced skills?

I had this situation with my U11s last fall--I had 3 players that had never played before. I did not separate them out. When I did things in groups, I paired them with the better players. During the activity, I would demonstrate something to both but with the goal increasing the newer players skills. It worked great-- by the end of the season the new kids were noticeably better

[Anonymous]

Nope. I stand by what I said. If my child has the talent and cares to play and develop, I would not be putting them in a rec league. Furthermore, I would not allow volunteer parent coach my child, especially if the volunteer parent does not know soccer.  

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At rec level, they just need to know the rules of the game and be able to kick the ball. If they care, they would not be playing rec and being coached by a volunteer parent who has no coaching background.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's REC. Who cares? You are a parent volunteer coming here to ask advice?

The kids care. Both the strong ones and the not so strong.

OK, you are definitely trolling.

There can't possibly be parents who actually think is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Focus only on skill development. Do not focus on winning games.

+1
This also includes during games. The more advanced players can work on skills that support the weaker players (passing, defense) or their own weaker skills. When my kids played rec we came up against teams with really strong players who were playing to meet certain challenges (passing, footwork, etc), not just score goals. It made the games better for everyone because the weaker players and weaker team had opportunities to see more variety of play and to develop their own skills.

Th 5 former travel players aren't on rec to develop skills. They are there to have fun and winning is fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. I stand by what I said. If my child has the talent and cares to play and develop, I would not be putting them in a rec league. Furthermore, I would not allow volunteer parent coach my child, especially if the volunteer parent does not know soccer.  

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At rec level, they just need to know the rules of the game and be able to kick the ball. If they care, they would not be playing rec and being coached by a volunteer parent who has no coaching background.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's REC. Who cares? You are a parent volunteer coming here to ask advice?

The kids care. Both the strong ones and the not so strong.

OK, you are definitely trolling.

There can't possibly be parents who actually think is true.

Rec is the first stop for most kids starting soccer, and often for most families that aren’t soccer knowledgable. The vast majority of the top ECNL girls played at least one season of rec - yes, often at pre-comp ages - but the journey still started at rec.

[Anonymous]

1. As a pp said, first priority is always for the kids to have fun. Second is to improve, third is to win.

2. What are some 11 year olds with travel experience doing on a Rec team? They don't belong there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. As a pp said, first priority is always for the kids to have fun. Second is to improve, third is to win.

2. What are some 11 year olds with travel experience doing on a Rec team? They don't belong there

A lot of kids burn out in travel and start switching back to rec around those ages. Either because they are sick of travel or sick of not playing much in games. My U14 son has 5 kids on his rec team this season who used to play travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. As a pp said, first priority is always for the kids to have fun. Second is to improve, third is to win.

2. What are some 11 year olds with travel experience doing on a Rec team? They don't belong there

This is a bizarre take. Rec soccer is for all levels of skill. Having played travel doesn't even mean you will be one of the stronger players on a rec team since so many teams are pay to play with no regard for ability.

[Anonymous]

Watch any videos by KC Legends coach. Basically a lot of walk ball work (double touches in half time) and one on one.

Two essential skills. This guy has thought through a LOT of the problems with American soccer - and come up with solutions.

https://www.kclegends.com/boxsoccerbenefits

[Anonymous]

My DD in travel would never play Rec. she started in Rec for sure but at a certain point, she decided she would not like to play with kids with zero knowledge of soccer. She would rather quit soccer if she didn't play Travel or play on a lower team with less pressure in Travel because the level of experience she has really is too much of a gap for Rec. I'm hoping she plays just another year of Travel and then we can quit Club and just do HS team. I kind of understand her perspective even if I don't play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD in travel would never play Rec. she started in Rec for sure but at a certain point, she decided she would not like to play with kids with zero knowledge of soccer. She would rather quit soccer if she didn't play Travel or play on a lower team with less pressure in Travel because the level of experience she has really is too much of a gap for Rec. I'm hoping she plays just another year of Travel and then we can quit Club and just do HS team. I kind of understand her perspective even if I don't play.

Who cares? Lots of kids get sick of travel and go back to rec.
Your dd is an idiot if she thinks just because a kid plays rec she has "zero knowledge of soccer." Lordy. Lots of rec-only players on girls high school teams.

[Anonymous]

Although I have never coached before, my experience with my own child playing lacrosse may be helpful. The coaches of my child's team had to deal with a mix of skill levels, with some kids being highly experienced and others just starting out. They divided the kids into different skill groups during practice and used stations. Additionally, they made sure that every player got equal playing time, understanding that the team was a recreational one and that everyone should be enjoying themselves. The parents of the more experienced players were generally laid-back, as their kids were also playing on a club team. All they really wanted from the rec team was more time on the field and a chance to have fun with their friends.