Yesterday, at after school pick-up, I bumped into a father of one of the boys I coached in the under 7s last season.
A delightfully natured kid, happy-go-lucky, much like his dad, he still addresses me as ‘Coach Tony’ a year on.
Except, that this season, owing to the club and the local association’s grading of under 8s players onwards, he had a different coach.
After the grading process at the start of the season, designed to place players in teams and divisions of similar ability, he ended up in a team a few grades lower than one I was coaching.
Not the quickest or sharpest kid on the ball, he had enjoyed his football last season, and his dad was pleased that he was growing more comfortable on the ball, lifting his head up and looking to pass to teammates.
I asked him how his son’s season had gone and how his game was developing.
“His game’s gone backwards”, came the familiar line from a parent subjected to the age-old lottery that is football coaching at grassroots level.
He lamented that his son hadn’t really evolved his understanding of the game, and nor was he enjoying it as much.
It’s not that the coach, volunteering his time, wasn’t passionate or committed. It’s just that the messages weren’t particularly great.
Rather than being encouraged to put their foot on the ball and keep it, the kids were invariably being instructed to get rid if it and get it forward. It was back to square one, his father felt.
This is not a piece to point to my methods or ideas as being the best. Far from it.
Indeed, apart from the enjoyment of guiding the kids, part of my motivation for being involved in coaching at a junior level was the sheer fear of the quality of coaching out there and what type of messages my son would be subjected to by another parent “happy to help”.
I had some first hand experience of this a couple of years ago.
At the end of the 2012 winter season, we decided to put our son and a few of his friends that I’d coached in the under 6s in a privately run local summer competition.
Commitments elsewhere meant I wasn’t able to coach the team in this comp, but we reasoned that at least the boys were still playing football and would enjoy continuing their season into Christmas.
They certainly did enjoy the competition, going all the way and winning the grand final. My wife, who attended most of the games, excitedly reported that our boy had scored the winners in both the semi final and final.
I asked to see some of the iPad footage and was left less than impressed by seeing him scoring goals by shooting from inside his own half.
The words I used had a familiar tone: “His game’s gone backwards.”
Rather than being encouraged to dribble, take players on and keep the ball, the kids were being told to hoof it forward, and shoot from anywhere. Results, kick and rush football.
Needless to say, the process of rebuilding that confidence in the under 7s last year was a slow one.
The frustration for this parent and many others is the complete lack of consistency in the way kids are being taught and nurtured, even within a local club which has seven under 8 sides.
The FFA has made a song and dance about rolling out its national curriculum and how it “creates the roadmap to international success” by adopting a “proactive”, “possession-based” game.
The author, Han Berger, says: “It is aimed at a fundamental transformation of the way football is played and coached in Australia, especially at youth level, in order to develop future generations of players and teams that will enable Australia to maintain a leading position in world football, particularly within the Asian Football Confederation.”
Fundamentally, it is a great guiding template, and if executed well it has the potential to deliver on its promise.
But its success will be in its execution, in whether the concept and the detailed delivery gets down to the coaches on the ground.
How many grassroots coaches, for example, at under 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s, know they working in the “discovery phase”?
How many out there are actually playing four versus four at 6s and 7s rather than five versus five or six versus six? How strictly is this enforced by the clubs and associations?
Sure, it all looks great on paper, but what’s the actual implementation?
Yes, at the beginning of the season, the coaches are generally invited to a three-hour junior coaching session where they obtain a Grassroots Coaching certificate, but it’s generally discretionary.
Often it involves travel, meaning only a handful of the committed coaches are exposed to the right messages.
Then it’s a question of whether they’re able to implement these messages, and often this is done without any proper oversight from clubs, associations, and state and federal bodies.
The losers in all this are the kids and parents who end up with a coach who, despite their best intentions, hasn’t the knowledge and tools to impart the requisite level of development.
Sadly, to these eyes, those on the losing side remain the large majority of players and parents.
Throughout the season I explored the quality of junior coaching beyond the local association level by venturing out to some Skills Acquisition Program (SAP) games, and the gala day held at Blacktown Sports Park a couple of weeks ago.
These, after all, are the National Premier League and state league clubs charged with the responsibility of developing the best of our kids through the ages of under 9s to under 11s.
What is clear here is the gulf in quality. There are a number of clubs and coaches doing some exceptional work, developing their kids to the letter of the curriculum.
No doubt they are fuelled by a sound education base and general football knowledge, and surrounded by good mentors.
These clubs and coaches will serve the purpose of producing the next batch our A-League and national team players, and I’ve seen plenty of talent over the past couple of years to know there are some good ones coming through, playing the right way.
But then there are many other SAP clubs and coaches where you wonder if the players might be better off in their community clubs rather than paying $1500 for coaching that’s nowhere near the level expected.
It all remains hit and miss, right across the scene. To the parents I speak to, I encourage them to educate themselves, and then assess the messages coming from their coach, and whether their child is moving forward.
As customers, parents have every right to be asking questions about the quality of their kids’ coaching.
It ought to be less of a gamble to get kids exposed to decent coaching.
One of the biggest hurdles, of course, remains the cost in time and money of spreading this education right down through the elite pathways into the under 6s in community clubs.
Yet, if Australia is to truly capitalise on its rich junior numbers, it’s paramount that FFA find a way to make coaching education more affordable, accessible and of a consistently strong standard.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
No that's not what I said and not what I coach. I said you don't always pass the ball on the ground when you are in danger of losing the ball in front of goal.
Neverwozza
Guest
So you actively teach your players to kick the ball out or long when under pressure. Sure that is the easy way to "protect your goals" but your kids will be worse off for it.
albatross
Roar Pro
Australia is not unique in regard to coaching deficiencies. The USA, China etc have issues too. This was discussed recently on One World Sports podcasts "Tom Byer on player development and Shinji Kagawa" http://www.oneworldsports.com/stories/beyond-pitch-listen-now
Griffo
Roar Guru
oops...looks like 'aerial ping-pong' triggers moderation... :lol:
Griffo
Roar Guru
Bondy agree they have a good skillset. In my region it varies - you get some hoof and chase (and use of non-offside rule as an advantage (see below post for Post hoc as one example)), some very good teams that over the years have good coaching more than natural talent and can see progress, but by and large it's a mix with an attempt at passing, technique, shooting and dribbling that may or may not be skewed to coaching and/or ability of a player...don't notice aerial ping-pong as much although that can happen but then there are a lot of 'keep it on the deck' calls at times around so that is becoming less if it was a problem ;-) but I do cringe when sometimes I hear the 'boot it out' call when there are opportunities to dribble into space and look for options... The U11 video I think is at an extreme end of the spectrum, albeit one I wish was more prevalent, but the reality is that the U11 coach above is able to dedicate more time (multiple training sessions a week) with obviously a clear philosophy + ability to put his message across that they players understand. There is not much that can be done with 1hr training (mostly a parental and extra-curricular factor) and 1 game per week for 6 months of the year imo. I know some parents put their kids through more training or 'academy' sessions during winter and summer which gets replaced with SAP or club movement for extra training sessions beyond U8/U9. There is a video...Ok, posted below...where some of those kids go on with the coach to Chivas U13 and continue the development... ...I am seeing it here a bit where some clubs are stepping up with more sessions if they have the space (huge issue, as is lack of lights), but I think community clubs are going to remain a lottery or cater for organised sport - recognising as someone mentioned here that not all kids, even if the luxury of all being put through the best coaching for free, are going to go on to being a professional. The issue is making sure that as many that will benefit and can have the potential with the right exposure and training opportunities do get that opportunity, preferably with reduced/no cost, and aren't lost or slip through the cracks imo because of lack of coaches or cost... Cheers Bondy, enjoy 8-)
Post hoc
Guest
Sad isn't that a coach needs to feel that his U7 side winning at all costs is the fulfillment of his day/week.year, your kids got so much more out of your methods win loose or draw than the kids in that other team, which may loose 2 or 3 of that team of 6 or 8, because mum that isn't fun i just stand at the back and kick.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Post hoc - your 'offside' story reminded me of an U7 game when coaching a few years ago: One team had a good player, a very good player, and the rest...well, you wouldn't know because they were never given a chance. This 'coach' had set the team up that the very good player was always in the 'offside' position; the good player yes or no depending on how the 'back two' were doing because their sole job was to boot it to the other end for the very good player to score (a 2-1-1 if you will for a 4v4). Whether the ball got to the good player or not, his job was to give it to the very good player, whose job was to score; if the back-two couldn't "kick it up to " the good player would get it (sometimes off his own player) and boot it long (sometimes a few dribbles but more on that). Once the very good player got the ball, he dribbled or shot for goal, even if the good player (calling for the ball) was in a better position to receive. The back two were constantly rotated with the 4 reserves, the other two never subbed. Near the end of the first half I was feeling for the six players who obviously may as well not have even been there; wondering at the parents who were letting this go on during the season (an assumption but, mid season by now, and two parents and coach were vocal, the rest were silent...). Was very annoyed through the second half as increasingly the very good player was getting frustrated at not getting the ball as much, and berated the good player who (obviously bored by this point) made a few dribbles and tried to shoot for goal instead of passing to him (with coach and a parent going off "Just give it to ", "Just boot it to him!"). :mad: I never kept score at that level but we did win that day. More importantly my kids played well, passing, moving, dribbling and taking players on. 4/6 there that day scored. The whole team was happy when their team mates did. I doubt the other teams 'coach' noticed, he seemed annoyed himself at full time...
Post hoc
Guest
My view, and Tony, a great article, as a first time coach this year of an Under 8 team, this is what I observed. I became a coach simply because know one else involved in the team wanted to (the old step back I was left standing forward) many had good reasons, and to their credit I was never criticized and only ever encouraged by the other parents, which has been a great positive experience. I was supported by my club (run through the grassroots session) 1 night coaches education and field guide, which was a couple of weeks into the season it was great, a lot of fun great tips and discovered I had been coaching and had been coached wrong all my life LOL, some changes I needed to make. I liked the season, I was determined to teach according to curriculum, 6 = Goalie two lines of 3. I tried to rotate players through positions, but I discovered that some kids were already starting to favour positions, and found it hard to move them because they were "the best" at that. I had mentor/advice from senior coaches at the club and from relatives who are senior coaches at other clubs, so all positive. Now the negatives, to me this was a big one, unfortunately not all coaches coached their teams in the same way, my kids were their to learn but more importantly to have fun, we were graded, and it was evident that i was not coaching our highest grades, my aim was to make sure these kids learnt, improved, but most importantly would keep playing football next year, to fall in love with the game and to keep playing until they are over 35 like me. What annoyed me was going up against a team that was clearly loaded with highly skilled players or decided to camp one or two kids in behind our defense, and just hit long balls over to them for them to tap it in a score (no off side rule until you get to U12) which i agree with as kids at 7 and 8 would have trouble understanding that, sad i know, but to me it seemed the coach needed to win to make him feel better, I wanted my kids to pass the ball to keep it at their feet rather than just bomb it forward to a kid camped off side, i could take a kid out of defense and just mark him, but then that ki doesn't learn how to play he just gets to stand next to another kid. Just my view
j binnie
Guest
aka - Many years ago (early 1970's) a psychological examination into junior sport took place in an effort to find out better methods in "educating" children into how to get maximum enjoyment out of participating in their chosen sport. It was found that between the ages of 5-10 a child had very little concept in "winning" or "losing" at their chosen sport. What was found that most at this age got maximum enjoyment out of participation and there is a simple test that will prove this to you. Go to a junior team at your club in this age group,get their confifdence ,and pose the simple question "What do you like most about playing football"/. Invariably the answer will be "kickiing the ball" or "scoring a goal". Personally I have tried this over the years and been astounded at the similarity in most of the answers. The investigation also found that at age 12 a child's psyche begins to accept there is a bit more to playing in a team environment than these simplistic desires and they become receptive to the fact that they are involved in a 'team environment" and the "team' has slightly differing aims. Thus they,the children,become aware of the concept of 'winning" and 'losing'.Again a simple question/answer exercise in this age group will show this alteration to the age group's thinking. From these findings it was decided that in both instances it would be better for the age groups to have a different environment if the desires were to be achieved. So we had the creation of small sided games ( six a side) on smaller than normal pitches (usually a third of normal) where a youngster aged between 5-10 could fulfil his /her desires,get more kicks at the ball or maybe score more goals but the overriding aim was to create and maintain enjoyment. It was also felt that in this environment,bearing in mind a child's strength factor that in the multiple rest periods in a "training session" instruction could take place into how the skills of the particular sport could be broken down into facets and taught to the kids during these rest periods. By the age of 12 the child id usually beginning to grow in size and strength so it was decided this would be the best time to introduce them to the more team oriented facets of the game on a larger area,hence, in football, 11 a side on a full pitch.Education into tactical innovation and team use of available time and space could now start to take place bearing in mind the skills learned in the younger age group could now aid and abet the youngster in this learning period. Aka ,that is the concept behind the teaching programme for football education. Now there are some very big "flies in the ointment " in this concept and they can usually be covered by a couple of words,"parents",or "coaches".The influences these 2 groups can have on children's psyches is immeasurable and can definitely add to or take away from those same environments that have been put in place for kids to get maximum enjoyment,whether it is the ten year old "scoring a goal" or the 14 year old "winning a cup competition". Hope this clarifies your thoughts Cheers jb
Bondy
Guest
Griffo Thats a very good standard of play/skills from those kiddies, do you notice club football in Australia its predominantly at times about physicality and being a physical battle, I think the other codes AFL and NRL influence behaviour here because most ball sports we play you get smashed in,IMO.. I noticed with those kiddies the ball only goes in the air encroaching on the 18 yard box where in Australia the ball spends a hell of alot of the time in the air anywhere I walk away from watching club football here wondering how people enjoy playing the game but they do ....
Griffo
Roar Guru
Just throwing some links out there (posted a while ago) - seems we are not the only ones having these conversations...in the USA no less. In response to a video of an U11 team playing great possession football that made the rounds some time ago, I checked the people behind it who were blogging about their methods and philosophy. Remember reading one post where the 'defensive' team were trained first, then game scenario with the arriving midfield team, who would then practice at the end of their session with the arriving attacking team... All about the players understanding their roles in the game (they learn a role rather than sampling all roles), but need a technical base to begin with. As always different approaches for the same problem, and where and when it can be applied but clip below shows what can be done.
Barca4life
Guest
Well put it this way we have made big progress in the last 5 years, implementing a new system with a different football language almost takes a very long time considering we are not a football country (yet) but its good we are having this type of discussion it shows we are moving forward. Remember with all of its resources and smaller geo. size it took Japan 20 years to be at this point! How long would it take us? Be we making progress slowly but surely. How can we get the message across further into the very large number and geographic country like ours? That is the challenge all levels of the game face as we change our football identity around. Thats the job up to the FFA and the state Federations. Maybe we can introduce further technology? More flexible and affordable courses? Great article Tony!
Melange
Guest
You are very right, I should have made my point a different way. I am certainly not a win win win parent. Success is measured in more ways then the scoreline, particularly in Juniors. In fact to this day some of my friends think I'm mad because I'm prouder of some of the teams I've played in that have lost grand finals opposed to some where we've won. I should have made the point a different way - that they were, generally, technically better then most the other boys at their club. Some parents can miss out on some beautiful moments when they get caught up in the scoreline. I watched my brother umpire a match years ago, a grand final (not soccer) for a group of u10 kids. The blue team was up 5-0 at half time and the white team didn't look a chance to score. 2nd half the whites turned things around to get to 5-5 only to have a goal scored against them in the dying moments. My brother was only 13 and very nervous, he made some mistakes and was surrounded by angry parents complaining about how he handled things. All the while I was standing next to their kids who were excitedly babbling about the best they had played in all their lives (I wish I was 10 again and talking about 'all my life') - they didn't care at all about losing the GF. In response to your last para, I am not surprised at all, despite my earlier post I use the same criteria and have happily turned around the fortunes of a team in a similar situation.
aka
Guest
jb just curious as to what you mean by 'in...age group.11-15 so are in there trying to win things.' The coach is trying to win? or players or both? Also where that info comes from. Because you have the same issues at U12 (even at U15) in the win versus development 'Trade off' e.g. you hoof it to your big fast forwards. You give greater game time to your stronger players and you play players in the same position week in week out - with the stronger players in the key positions.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Fair point, Rob. I guess, what I was trying to say (albeit poorly) is that coaching at those young ages should be purely focused on demonstrating proper technique. When the training, or competition, involves small-sided games, maybe we should not have any coaches at all? My footballing childhood was filled with hours, upon hours of playing unstructured games with friends - in the backyard, on the street, in the park. No coaches, no refs, no adults .. just kids with a ball (often it wasn't even a proper football, but a small rubber ball or a tennis ball). These matches were for showcasing the technical skills we'd practised on our own in the backyard. No one cared about structure, positioning, organisation .. that would come later.
Justin Mahon
Guest
I love that we are having a debate about the problems associated with implementing a national curriculum that's is research backed and age appropriate and what we can do to ensure as many volunteers can get access to certified training and kids identified for the elite pathway appropriately. We have come a long way....... Anyone with any sense of where we have come from welcomes this problem.
j binnie
Guest
Leonardo Thank you for the answer.You will note that all the teams you are now coaching are in the "teamwork development" age group.11-15 so are in there trying to win things. Good luck for the future.jb
j binnie
Guest
nearpost --- You disagree?????? Then go on to tell us that "teaching" football is all about enjoyment,playing with your pals,enjoying the participation ------------------------------ That's exactly what I was trying to get across for the age groups 5-10. Enjoyment,Enjoyment,Enjoyment ---with a little bit of instruction during the necessary rest periods.!!!!! How come you disagree???????? jb
nearpost
Guest
Disagree J Binnie - the Australian Sports Commission recent research shows that the main reason/motivation kids play football, and all sports....is to play with their friends. It's not about skills, more touches or goals scored. And that is perhaps the problem - we're looking at all the reasons from a football development point of view, but lets face it 99.9% of kids will never play professionally, but they will remain in sport if they are confident and with their friends. Sure Coaches can give some confidence with sessions, but the better kids either have older brothers/sisters who have played, a passionate Dad or Mum who plays football with them, or they play in the school playground all day, or just has an innate ability that makes him or her faster, or more skilled than his peers. And guess what these kids get success early and are more likely to stay with the game. Playing football with friends - don't see that mentioned anywhere in the National Curriculum If we want more kids to stay in the game - letting them play with their mates - that's what the Australian Sports Commission are trying to sell to all sports as we fight obesity but of course no code, not football, want to let kids to play with their mates...we want to grade and get the best with the best. Interesting difference between the aims of the ASC and needs of Aussie kids' health and the talent identification model of the FFA.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
jb I've coached my daughters from U6 to U13s, but this year I focused on the U12 boys and the U12 boys rep team. We had a great season winning the Premiership and the Championship Grand Final. I also play and coach (and manage) the O35s team and we won the Premiership and the Championship Grand Final too. It was a good year. I won't take all the credit because we work as a team and the club has an excellent support structure where we help each other as well as parents/volunteers helping out as well. We work very closely with the football association and they have excellent resources/training materials tips etc.