13/10/2019
A number Of years ago Belgium decided on a complete overhaul of how they approach grass roots football, their National Team right now are seeing the benefits. At U5/6/7/8 they play 2v2 with a goalkeeper (taking turns) and one outfield player on a smaller pitch focussing entirely on developing the individual player in a 1v1 situation.
You may have noticed how much 1v1 we do with our younger players, it’s the key reason our players are technically developing here much quicker than anyone else locally. Take a close look on a few of the following things :
1) How much fun the kids are having, kids love competition and being directly involved in a challenge/battle leads a greater love of practicing and playing with the ball.
2) How many touches of the ball they are having, having to manipulate the ball into different areas at different speeds, constantly changing the direction of it with the different surfaces of both feet.
3) How many decision making opportunities present themselves to the player, every split second the brain is learning to process information around them and act on it with more clarity and confidence.
4) How the player is constantly engaged, either will the ball and having to stay on the ball or score, or without the ball having to win it back, position themselves to defend.
5) How physically demanding it is, the young player is constantly using game realistic movements with and without the ball, growing and nurturing all
Of the core gross motor skills.
As a coach you have to meet the demands of the player at relative age, so getting young players as sharp, technically able and comfortable on a football leads them to develop the rest of the game in an easier manor as they get older.
Some people say to me , ‘yeah now the kid won’t pass all’s he wants to do is dribble’ Yes that may be right, that’s the NEXT challenge for the player and coach. Don’t treat the 6 year old as a mini adult who’s played 250 career games.
I was lucky enough to be given an inside look at the coaching curriculum at Liverpool Academy last year, they said up until 9 Years old all they do is 1v1 domination and different variations of it, nothing else. They said how Trent Alexander-Arnold at a young age only wanted to take people on, he rarely passed it simple. Now fast forward a dozen years due to the technical foundations Trent has, he is one of the best passers of a ball in World Football and is always towards the top of the assist chart.
Don’t discourage your young player from dribbling,
Decision making and when you may pass and when you may dribble is a key part of a young players development.
I will watch a few grass roots games today and no doubt hear many screams of PASS and DON’t DRIBBLE IT THERE but the more people who are educated around the area the better it is for the advancement in all young players. 👍⚽️
( I don’t think it did Messi any harm !? )
