U8 Soccer

[debster812]

Something else to think of, recruit a couple of soccer players from your local high school. The AD or principal should be able to put you in touch with the coach, and I know there are always kids looking for community service hours. This would take the onus off your and your husband for teaching actual skills and gameplay. I know 99.9% of all our HS soccer players came through our youth league, so it's a nice way to bridge the programs. My son "Assisted" a team for 2 years where the official coach was a super enthusiastic dad, who had no soccer experience. Jr and Sr year in HS he and one of his pals had their own team. On all the teams they helped with they recruited players to come and be ball boys at the HS games. I know that 99.9% of our HS Varsity players (boys and girls) came through our town's youth program, so it's a great bridge from one program to the other. PLUS, the little kids really seem to love the big kids.

Thanks to both of your for volunteering. I was our town's registar for years, and all the volunteer coaches are the heart and soul of our program.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

You've gotten some great advice. Keep it fun, keep it fair, establish the rules early with parents. Make playing time as equal as possible, praise the kids when they put forth effort or are willing to try something new.

My players always loved it when I got out there and ran or dribbled with them.

 

[sam_gordon]

OP (or whoever get volunteered into coaching),

I was looking for something else and found the following. Hope it helps. http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/FileDownload.aspx?D=x2FN/MOCrVYNU0N3a8CKcKe3rgL13Ymh87Yb05Agvqw=

 

[DanceswithDisney]

For the love of everything, put an end to the SNACK list. They are playing for at most one hour. Let everyone bring their own snacks and water for their own child. Some parents can dominate and take control of this aspect which is not fun. Announce are here to play soccer and have fun not get involved with the drama of who is bringing what snack next week.

My child has been playing since U8 since she was 6. No one kept score in the rec leagues at that age, but the kids all knew the score. The most effective coaches were fair but also stern even when parents complained. The girls improved far more quickly with stern coaches. At this age they are ants chasing a sugar cube, strategy will come. As my kid is also a ref, I never ever yell at the refs. They are going to make mistakes, just let it go. This is for us now U14 Select travel soccer NOT the World Cup or Olympics.

Finally, our last two coaches have implemented a 48 hour after a game contact rule. Here are some of his rules which can apply at the U8 level.

For whomever plays goalie, remind them that the ball has to get past six or five other players before going in the goal. A goal being scored does not fall solely on the goalie!

• 48 Hour Rule. Parents should not initiate discussion with the coach about anything other than sickness, injury or emergency until 48 hours after the last match or team activity. After that period, email the coach to set up a time for a call or meeting.

• • No discussion about other players. The overall attitude should be positive--your player needs all the other players.
  • No discussion about team play.
  • All focus on your kid and what they can do to improve to help the team.

 

[sam_gordon]

48 Hour Rule. Parents should not initiate discussion with the coach about anything other than sickness, injury or emergency until 48 hours after the last match or team activity. After that period, email the coach to set up a time for a call or meeting.

Not crazy about that rule. We have games on Saturday. OK, 48 hours puts you to Monday, then there's practice on Monday. Can't talk to the coach for 48 hours. Our next practice is Wednesday. I guess we'd be allowed to talk to the coach on Friday.

I also don't the like "about anything". If we're at a tournament, or watching another game, I like being able to ask the coach "what is the rule when... " or "why did that happen?" Now, you want to limit talking about playing time, position, game strategy, etc, I get that.

Just my opinion.

 

[DanceswithDisney]

Well remember we are at U14 and not U8. I totally support this rule though. Most of the time both the parent and the coach are heated right after a game, especially if a loss. Asking "Why did that happen" involves talking about another player and that is verbotten. Most of the time, the heat has died down and the focus becomes on how can my kid help the team. I have been in contact with the coach when my kid had a concussion and kept him and the team manager constantly informed about the outcome.

 

[mummabear]

I am just finishing coaching our soccer season before moving back to softball for summer lol (I am a Pippin leader too)

I coached Grade 7 this year (so 6-7 year olds), if you pm an email address I have a whole bunch of PDFs of training drills/games for various age groups from the McDonalds soccer academy

 

[sam_gordon]

Well remember we are at U14 and not U8. I totally support this rule though. Most of the time both the parent and the coach are heated right after a game, especially if a loss. Asking "Why did that happen" involves talking about another player and that is verbotten. Most of the time, the heat has died down and the focus becomes on how can my kid help the team. I have been in contact with the coach when my kid had a concussion and kept him and the team manager constantly informed about the outcome.

DS is U14 also. A couple clarifications...
1) When I was mentioned asking "Why did that happen", I'm referring to watching another game, not the game DS played in.
2) I get the "cool down" period. We have a 24 hour cool down period after GAMES. You said you have a 48 hour cool down after "team activity" which I took as "practice". Games on Saturday & Sunday, Practice Monday & Wednesday means the only time a parent is allowed to talk to a coach is on Friday, unless it's about sickness, injury, or emergency? You can't ask the coach if he watched the Olympics? Who he likes on America's Got Talent? What he thinks of the weather delay we have? Etc. Maybe I'm taking your words too literal, but as phrased, I disagree with them.

 

[King Schultz]

Help! My husband and I have ended up being the soccer coaches for my son's team. (After four pleading emails from the commissioner saying that his age group desperately needed a coach.)
Sadly, I've never played soccer even once in my life, and the only soccer I've ever watched has been played by children no older than seven. So please - give me whatever advice, tips, and resources you have! If you've coached little kids before, what has been really helpful and useful? If you've been a parent, what did you like or dislike from the coach? If you know anything at all about soccer, what good resources are out there for learning skills?
(The league did give us two books and a DVD, so that's a start...)

Thanks!

Based on my extensive research, here's my advise:

1) Find a local kid who rides a motorcycle around the area and talk him into playing.

2) Get a bail bond company to sponsor the team.

3) Sit on the sidelines and drink beer..

 

[HillPete]

There is a ton of excellent advice on here (I have managed DS13's team for 5 years - seen it all!). Only things I would add are: Make sure you understand the header rules in your area. Around here, kids aren't allowed to do headers until they are U13. Not sure if this is national or regional, so you should check. The other thing is to be VERY familiar with concussion protocol. You just never know what can happen on the field. Better to be safe than sorry.

Have fun!!

 

[DopeyDame]

Based on my extensive research, here's my advise:

1) Find a local kid who rides a motorcycle around the area and talk him into playing.

2) Get a bail bond company to sponsor the team.

3) Sit on the sidelines and drink beer..

PHEW! Finally some practical advice I can really use. Is it OK if I switch out the beer for wine? I'm really more of a wine and bubbly kind of girl.

 

[DopeyDame]

There is a ton of excellent advice on here (I have managed DS13's team for 5 years - seen it all!). Only things I would add are: Make sure you understand the header rules in your area. Around here, kids aren't allowed to do headers until they are U13. Not sure if this is national or regional, so you should check. The other thing is to be VERY familiar with concussion protocol. You just never know what can happen on the field. Better to be safe than sorry.

Have fun!!

I'm not sure what age headers start, but I know the U8s aren't allowed to do them - much to my son's chagrin. Good thought about the concussion protocol, though. My DH is a volunteer EMT, so I may just delegate that responsibility to him.

 

[DanceswithDisney]

Where we live, we can smoke pot on the sidelines. One of the parents brings a blender to make margaritas on the sidelines during tourneys.

 

[King Schultz]

PHEW! Finally some practical advice I can really use. Is it OK if I switch out the beer for wine? I'm really more of a wine and bubbly kind of girl.

Yes, wine is acceptable, as long as it's drank out of the bottle in a brown paper sack.

 

[soccerprogram]

Soccer is the best ever game i have ever played. if you are also interested to learning the soccer training program join any schools and I hope you will learn a lot!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Soccer is the best ever game i have ever played. if you are also interested to learning the soccer training program join any schools and I hope you will learn a lot!

Just to let you know, the last post on here is from 6 years ago. But I agree soccer is the best. Also welcome to the Dis.