Hello,
i've previously coached at underage level, mainly u14,u16.
Recently I've started with my young lad at u6s. Im looking for tips for running a u6s session, obviously the main goal has to be enjoyment for the kids. There is some difference between some of the kids who can nearly kick with both feet and other kids who can barely pick the ball off the ground. We have circa 30 kids at u6 ! so crowd control is a factor !
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 11:45:43 AM
Hello,
i've previously coached at underage level, mainly u14,u16.
Recently I've started with my young lad at u6s. Im looking for tips for running a u6s session, obviously the main goal has to be enjoyment for the kids. There is some difference between some of the kids who can nearly kick with both feet and other kids who can barely pick the ball off the ground. We have circa 30 kids at u6 ! so crowd control is a factor !
Fun and organised chaos.
Quote from: marty34 on April 16, 2023, 11:59:44 AM
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 11:45:43 AM
Hello,
i've previously coached at underage level, mainly u14,u16.
Recently I've started with my young lad at u6s. Im looking for tips for running a u6s session, obviously the main goal has to be enjoyment for the kids. There is some difference between some of the kids who can nearly kick with both feet and other kids who can barely pick the ball off the ground. We have circa 30 kids at u6 ! so crowd control is a factor !
Fun and organised chaos.
Tis fun & organised chaos. Tis like herding cats ;D.
Plenty of fun, heaps of not to serious coaches. No shouting, as long as the kids aren't battering each other, let them be. Games of tag, foxes & hens, plenty of unstructured running.
Dont forgot the odd ice cream van.
Soft balls, rice bags, don't even try play a game off gaa just do fun games. You'll need an adult per 5 or 6 kids.
100%. Bean bags into buckets. There is a kind of parachute thing we used before where they shake to keep the bean bags on it.
Just working on co-ordination and craic. Throwing the ball to each other and the like. Picking a ball off cones - relays of that.
I was doing a bit of reffing where a coach (best intentions and all that) was trying to introduce a dummy solo to an U7 eam at half time. The poor crayturs couldn't kick it!
One thing you see a lot of at that very young age is the stop when they hot traffic and they try this hook kick that isn't easy at any level. Not sure if anyone has ideas to stop that?
May as well get them ready for the future - just practice hand passing it around for 2 minutes, before the guy with the best kick attempt a score
Duck Duck Goose is a good one. Obstacle course relay (not too many in each team you want to keep time standing at a cone to the bare minimum). Robbing the nest is a good one and then freeze tag with kids having to leapfrog to get back in the game etc.
We try and do different stations and a skill at every second one nearly. We introduce a bit of bubble ball after a few weeks when they've got a bit of a handle on some of the skills.
Each to their own but I think the biggest problem is expectation, some coaches set expectations of what they want to achieve with the kids when really they're under 6 and most lads I know didn't have any organised training until U12.
There's lots and lots of time if you can get them to enjoy it and make good friends that will go a long way to them wanting to keep playing and to take enough of an interest to improve as they move up through the age groups.
Quote from: blanketattack on April 16, 2023, 06:58:32 PM
May as well get them ready for the future - just practice hand passing it around for 2 minutes, before the guy with the best kick attempt a score
is u6 too young to start bulking and gym work?
Handstands, looking at worms on the pitch, bulldog, free play, hula hoops, obstacle courses. Get them laughing and carrying on and they'll want to come back the next week. Keep it good craic for them and yourself.
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
I wouldn't. Too young.
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
You could try the bubble thing after a month or so but if you just let them at it then 10 lads just crowd around the ball carrier.
Quote from: Itchy on April 16, 2023, 10:09:32 PM
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
I wouldn't. Too young.
Funny how different clubs do it. I know a number of different clubs who regularly organise u6 5 matches. Some of the young players are great at that age. But as said before it's about getting everyone involved and keeping them engaged.
Quote from: Itchy on April 16, 2023, 10:09:32 PM
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
I wouldn't. Too young.
Agree 1000%
Quote from: screenexile on April 16, 2023, 10:19:18 PM
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
You could try the bubble thing after a month or so but if you just let them at it then 10 lads just crowd around the ball carrier.
sorry but how to you play bubble ball ?
also would you give a heads up to parents on new games you plan to play at the session ? ie so they could show their kid a video of the game before they arrive ?
Ween of laps, [c. 15] for a warmup, pullin a lorry tyre preferably.
Then a bokin session of sprints before fullblooded game, with quarter neither asked nor given.
No pints after tho!!
They're only kids!
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 17, 2023, 12:47:38 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 16, 2023, 10:19:18 PM
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
You could try the bubble thing after a month or so but if you just let them at it then 10 lads just crowd around the ball carrier.
sorry but how to you play bubble ball ?
also would you give a heads up to parents on new games you plan to play at the session ? ie so they could show their kid a video of the game before they arrive ?
It's basically no tackling and giving the lads space (a bubble around them) when they receive the ball rather than 10 other lads jumping in to try and tackle them.
It's very slow and laborious and you have to keep lads in their positions as best you can but it gives them a bit of experience of what a game would look like and confidence around trying things without the scrum you usually get.
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 17, 2023, 12:47:38 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 16, 2023, 10:19:18 PM
Quote from: thebackbar1 on April 16, 2023, 08:53:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who replied !
I presume then you wouldn't try a game at the end of the session ? normally the game is something closer to rugby/american football
You could try the bubble thing after a month or so but if you just let them at it then 10 lads just crowd around the ball carrier.
sorry but how to you play bubble ball ?
also would you give a heads up to parents on new games you plan to play at the session ? ie so they could show their kid a video of the game before they arrive ?
Eh No. Its your coaches you should be sharing the video with so they know what they are doing.
Quote from: Keyser soze on April 17, 2023, 12:58:25 PM
Ween of laps, [c. 15] for a warmup, pullin a lorry tyre preferably.
Then a bokin session of sprints before fullblooded game, with quarter neither asked nor given.
No pints after tho!!
They're only kids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCuMgb2ibwY
Quote from: blanketattack on April 16, 2023, 06:58:32 PM
May as well get them ready for the future - just practice hand passing it around for 2 minutes, before the guy with the best kick attempt a score
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 18, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
thanks for the feedback, regarding the game at the end what format do you use ?
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 18, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
Totally disagree with that. Its almost certain you will have kids that do not come from "football" houses and your training is their 1st introduction to a ball. Then you will have ones that are well ahead. Introducing games where you are scoring and winning/losing will increase your risk of alienating those "weaker" kids and will effect you in the long run. I have seen it happen time and time again. Typically the clubs that do what you are saying a very large and dont really care if they lose a few. My club we need every child available to us.
Quote from: Itchy on April 19, 2023, 09:58:11 AM
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 18, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
Totally disagree with that. Its almost certain you will have kids that do not come from "football" houses and your training is their 1st introduction to a ball. Then you will have ones that are well ahead. Introducing games where you are scoring and winning/losing will increase your risk of alienating those "weaker" kids and will effect you in the long run. I have seen it happen time and time again. Typically the clubs that do what you are saying a very large and dont really care if they lose a few. My club we need every child available to us.
My wee boy just turned 6 last month, his coaches are first class. up unti they started back it was all focused on getting hands on the Ball and games that weren't actually related to football or hurling, like trying to knock down cones on the other teams side etc. it seems now they are starting to do actual games, and they've started going to play other teams (no scores or anything kept and no real regard for rules0 jus to get them moving the ball etc.
ive found my son wasn't overly keen on it until they got a taste for actual games and now its all he talks about and constantly wanting to go out into the garden to practice. I think his coaches have done it really well how they built it up to actually planning games with some kinda structure.
Quote from: themac_23 on April 19, 2023, 10:36:27 AM
Quote from: Itchy on April 19, 2023, 09:58:11 AM
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 18, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
Totally disagree with that. Its almost certain you will have kids that do not come from "football" houses and your training is their 1st introduction to a ball. Then you will have ones that are well ahead. Introducing games where you are scoring and winning/losing will increase your risk of alienating those "weaker" kids and will effect you in the long run. I have seen it happen time and time again. Typically the clubs that do what you are saying a very large and dont really care if they lose a few. My club we need every child available to us.
My wee boy just turned 6 last month, his coaches are first class. up unti they started back it was all focused on getting hands on the Ball and games that weren't actually related to football or hurling, like trying to knock down cones on the other teams side etc. it seems now they are starting to do actual games, and they've started going to play other teams (no scores or anything kept and no real regard for rules0 jus to get them moving the ball etc.
ive found my son wasn't overly keen on it until they got a taste for actual games and now its all he talks about and constantly wanting to go out into the garden to practice. I think his coaches have done it really well how they built it up to actually planning games with some kinda structure.
Did your child ever see or touch or play with a ball before going to training? I assume so, as you his parent are posting on a GAA forum. Imagine the child who parents dont even own a ball. Your child might excel in this scenario but what about the others? U6s going playing games against other teams is ridiculous by the way.
Quote from: Itchy on April 19, 2023, 10:41:41 AM
Quote from: themac_23 on April 19, 2023, 10:36:27 AM
Quote from: Itchy on April 19, 2023, 09:58:11 AM
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 18, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
Totally disagree with that. Its almost certain you will have kids that do not come from "football" houses and your training is their 1st introduction to a ball. Then you will have ones that are well ahead. Introducing games where you are scoring and winning/losing will increase your risk of alienating those "weaker" kids and will effect you in the long run. I have seen it happen time and time again. Typically the clubs that do what you are saying a very large and dont really care if they lose a few. My club we need every child available to us.
My wee boy just turned 6 last month, his coaches are first class. up unti they started back it was all focused on getting hands on the Ball and games that weren't actually related to football or hurling, like trying to knock down cones on the other teams side etc. it seems now they are starting to do actual games, and they've started going to play other teams (no scores or anything kept and no real regard for rules0 jus to get them moving the ball etc.
ive found my son wasn't overly keen on it until they got a taste for actual games and now its all he talks about and constantly wanting to go out into the garden to practice. I think his coaches have done it really well how they built it up to actually planning games with some kinda structure.
Did your child ever see or touch or play with a ball before going to training? I assume so, as you his parent are posting on a GAA forum. Imagine the child who parents dont even own a ball. Your child might excel in this scenario but what about the others? U6s going playing games against other teams is ridiculous by the way.
Yeah he had but what im saying is he had no real interest, I think he's under 6.5 if thats how the ages work now or possibly u7. but how his club went about it was very good, all about fun and getting their hands on the ball. as I say wee games trying to throw the ball and knock cones down etc to get a feel for the ball and just get it moving.
The wee games they are playing now are just really kids running about and kicking the ball but he loves the whole thing of being against another team etc, the coaches for all the teams are brilliant just encouraging both teams and letting the kids get a feel for it. its usually 5 or 6 a side and each club brings as many players as they have and break up into small games. every kid gets loads of time on the ball they all take turns in goals and seem to really enjoy it. as I say to get my wee boy to go to football used to be a real struggle but now he relishes going during the week and on a sat.
Quote from: themac_23 on April 19, 2023, 10:51:59 AM
Quote from: Itchy on April 19, 2023, 10:41:41 AM
Quote from: themac_23 on April 19, 2023, 10:36:27 AM
Quote from: Itchy on April 19, 2023, 09:58:11 AM
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 18, 2023, 02:19:46 PM
My number 1 tip would be to be invest in a half decent bluetooth speaker. Kids love music and you can get so much exercise and movement created simply by playing music and getting them to star jump, hop, run fast/slow and pause when music stops.
I focus on simple things like moving round the space and bounce ball 10 times, throw then catch the ball in the basket. Kids love it when you introduce adults who'll then try to knock the ball out of the basket, gets them to focus and finding space and improving their peripheral vision by avoiding collisions.
Interesting reading the debate around whether 6.5s should play games at the end of the session. I've looked after the age bracket for 6+ years and if you ask kids the one thing they want to do its games. Still think there's room for very small sided, fun-focused games.
Totally disagree with that. Its almost certain you will have kids that do not come from "football" houses and your training is their 1st introduction to a ball. Then you will have ones that are well ahead. Introducing games where you are scoring and winning/losing will increase your risk of alienating those "weaker" kids and will effect you in the long run. I have seen it happen time and time again. Typically the clubs that do what you are saying a very large and dont really care if they lose a few. My club we need every child available to us.
My wee boy just turned 6 last month, his coaches are first class. up unti they started back it was all focused on getting hands on the Ball and games that weren't actually related to football or hurling, like trying to knock down cones on the other teams side etc. it seems now they are starting to do actual games, and they've started going to play other teams (no scores or anything kept and no real regard for rules0 jus to get them moving the ball etc.
ive found my son wasn't overly keen on it until they got a taste for actual games and now its all he talks about and constantly wanting to go out into the garden to practice. I think his coaches have done it really well how they built it up to actually planning games with some kinda structure.
Did your child ever see or touch or play with a ball before going to training? I assume so, as you his parent are posting on a GAA forum. Imagine the child who parents dont even own a ball. Your child might excel in this scenario but what about the others? U6s going playing games against other teams is ridiculous by the way.
Yeah he had but what im saying is he had no real interest, I think he's under 6.5 if thats how the ages work now or possibly u7. but how his club went about it was very good, all about fun and getting their hands on the ball. as I say wee games trying to throw the ball and knock cones down etc to get a feel for the ball and just get it moving.
The wee games they are playing now are just really kids running about and kicking the ball but he loves the whole thing of being against another team etc, the coaches for all the teams are brilliant just encouraging both teams and letting the kids get a feel for it. its usually 5 or 6 a side and each club brings as many players as they have and break up into small games. every kid gets loads of time on the ball they all take turns in goals and seem to really enjoy it. as I say to get my wee boy to go to football used to be a real struggle but now he relishes going during the week and on a sat.
[/b] Thats the main thing and great to read that! Think there is a balance to be found because the kids who are that bit a head will soon get bored if they can't be competitive against each other, they naturally want to beat their friend at whatever it'll be, obviously if theres too much time spent playing games the lad who has never seen a football will soon get bored and lose interest if everyone else is ahead of him.
Obviously you want to keep both types involved and enjoying it as much as possible, as long term the lad who is more interested at picking daisies or chasing butterflies at 5 or 6 could be a brilliant player by the time they get to 16 or 26!
Another thing to remember is that you only have the kids for an hour or whatever it is a week, so a massive thing is getting the parents involved, if possible make sure every child has some sort of ball to take home with them and are practicing kicking about with the parent/siblings in the garden in the evenings
My advice is make the drills involve footballs. The link to gaelic football can be tenuos.
I've seen sessions where the whole session was just playground games. Quite a few parents and kids come away thinking 'What's the point? This is no different to what they got up to at lunchtime or with their friends'.
You want a fun and a social element, but also looking to learn and improve gaelic football skills.
A lot of playground games can be adapted e.g. Flush The Toilet- the player is freed by throwing or kicking the ball between their legs.
Bulldog - they run with a ball in their hand, or the players wait at the side and throw balls across. Not suitable for astro or rock hard ground but no harm in 6 year olds learning to fall on grass and get up quickly.
Other drills like mentioned above throwing the ball at cones.
A good one that's very adaptable is set up say 10 gates (gate = 2 cones a metre apart).
Then they pair up and have to do the same activity through 8 of the gates
E.g. Iteration 1: both of them throw the ball to each other thro' gate with right hand
Iteration 2: ditto with left hand
Iteratio 3: hop the ball as you run through the gate.
Further down the line handpass the ball or solo through gate.
Make drills competitive - set up different relay teams that have to run zigzag through 5 cones, a metre apart and then throw the ball to the next person in the relay. (Advances later on to hopping ball)
A big bugbear of mine is having huge queues for drills.
3 is the ideal number for any queue (4 tops). With 3, one player is active, one is just back and one is ready to start. If your players are messing or doing cartwheels your queue is too long.
Have regularly seen 10 players in a queue, which means 90% of the drill is spent waiting around- terrible efficiency.
Preparation is key, if the pitch is vacant beforehand, go early to set up drills.
If not, while one coach does warm-up, other coaches are setting up cones.
Bugbear 2: kids waiting around while coaches set up drills because some coaches spent ages chatting at the start instead of doing it then.
Could have 3-4 drill stations, split the group in 3-4 and rotate between stations every 10-12 min and then a match at the end. Matches should be 5 a side tops at that age. (Other bugbear is coaches just having one massive game at the end where some players will be lucky to get 2 touches, instead smaller group matches with lots of touches)
Fundamentals are all about the basics and having fun.
E.g. cups and saucers is a game obviously and is great fun but on a secondary level it's about a kid getting ready to squat. The same type of movement.
All these wee games have a purpose...behind the fun and craic but the kids and parents just think it's fun.
Quote from: marty34 on April 19, 2023, 12:24:34 PM
Fundamentals are all about the basics and having fun.
E.g. cups and saucers is a game obviously and is great fun but on a secondary level it's about a kid getting ready to squat. The same type of movement.
All these wee games have a purpose...behind the fun and craic but the kids and parents just think it's fun.
Exactly. Hand eye coordination, using both sides etc.
To your man above playing a 5 a side with 4/5 year olds, good luck with that.
Quote from: blanketattack on April 19, 2023, 11:30:53 AM
My advice is make the drills involve footballs. The link to gaelic football can be tenuos.
I've seen sessions where the whole session was just playground games. Quite a few parents and kids come away thinking 'What's the pont? This is no different to what they got up to at lunchtime or with their friends
Round my way it's seen as another hour put in until they get to bed and the bonus is there was no screen needed!!
Yeah I find that too. Parents are just happy to get the youngsters out of the house and getting active for an hour.
At U6 level there really only should be one overriding objective - make sure they have fun and want to come back next week. If you achieve that then you can look at the basic fundamentals of the skills, kicking and catching etc. Fun is number 1.
Include every player and make sure they all have smiles on their faces and all feel included.
just wondering what type/brand of football do your clubs us for the U6s ?
Quote from: thebackbar1 on May 07, 2023, 01:21:32 PM
just wondering what type/brand of football do your clubs us for the U6s ?
Our club use O'Neills but I don't think there's much difference in the quality for the first touch balls.
In our club when I helped out at U6s we set up a big circuit of stations (usually 6) and had them at each station for 6 minutes with a minute or so to change over. One man ran the whole operation and the other 2 or 3 helpers stayed at stations and always got another few parents on the day to help at the other stations. At that age they're usually eager enough to help.
Keep it simple and mix it up, we would of had a basketball hoop in one station, hurdling over tackle bags in others, cross the river etc. We would of moved towards small sided games with the 6 yr olds as the season went on but would of kept the younger ones doing bib tag or something like that until they were ready for 4 a side or something like that.
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
As long as everyone gets one I don't see the big deal.. They run a pupil of the week in primary schools etc
Quote from: Mourne Red on May 27, 2023, 11:38:55 AM
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
As long as everyone gets one I don't see the big deal.. They run a pupil of the week in primary schools etc
As long as every player gets it once during the season. Need to mark down what players got it every week, then you know you haven't missed anybody.
Good idea as it may get them to practice more away feom training.
Quote from: Mourne Red on May 27, 2023, 11:38:55 AM
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
As long as everyone gets one I don't see the big deal.. They run a pupil of the week in primary schools etc
Yeah I get that about primary school and I'd understand if everyone gets their turn. Just think it can be pretty harsh for some kids who don't understand that though.
Weights. Bleep test. Circuits. No point having them unprepared for the competitiveness they'll face later on.
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
Don't do it. Causes agro. We had it running and ended up getting calls from parents about it. Does more damage than good imo.
Quote from: trueblue1234 on May 27, 2023, 08:27:26 PM
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
Don't do it. Causes agro. We had it running and ended up getting calls from parents about it. Does more damage than good imo.
Hope you told them to wise up and mind their own business?
Quote from: RedHand88 on May 27, 2023, 09:37:25 PM
Quote from: trueblue1234 on May 27, 2023, 08:27:26 PM
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
Don't do it. Causes agro. We had it running and ended up getting calls from parents about it. Does more damage than good imo.
Hope you told them to wise up and mind their own business?
Or even better, say you need a few more coaches to help out.
The phone calls would soon stop.
Star of the week means one kid goes home delighted,
But EVERY OTHER child goes home disappointed.
Not a good idea IMO.
Quote from: RedHand88 on May 27, 2023, 09:37:25 PM
Quote from: trueblue1234 on May 27, 2023, 08:27:26 PM
Quote from: p3427977 on May 27, 2023, 11:34:43 AM
What does everyone think of having a star of the week for U6?
Not sure I agree with it.
Don't do it. Causes agro. We had it running and ended up getting calls from parents about it. Does more damage than good imo.
Hope you told them to wise up and mind their own business?
It's was very quickly pulled. And told all the kids they were all stars of the week and that mum and dad had to get them all McDonalds on the way home for being so good.
No need for star of the week. Just make it fun and make sure every kid hears their name said at least once in an encouraging way.
Just wondering, how far into Autumn do you plan to continue your U6 sessions? Do you also organize an end-of-season party for your team?
I've noticed that some Dublin clubs align their training with the school terms, taking a break during the summer. Do many clubs train throughout the winter?
Bit of an unusual one - was helping out at an U8 session over the weekend and there was one young lad who was apologising every single time when a kick wasn't perfect. Like every single kick that was any way slightly off. Asked the regular lads and they said he always does it and has since they started coaching with him. Normal lad in every other way from what I could see and probably an above average kicker for his age - it didn't seem to bother him that much it just seemed like an automatic habit. Was doing it in kicking practice and in game. I did say to him after that there was no need to apologise even David Clifford makes mistakes. Mention it to the parents (know his mother pretty well - a lot better than the other coaches would) or just leave him/let him grow out of it?
Quote from: twohands!!! on August 22, 2023, 09:50:08 AM
Bit of an unusual one - was helping out at an U8 session over the weekend and there was one young lad who was apologising every single time when a kick wasn't perfect. Like every single kick that was any way slightly off. Asked the regular lads and they said he always does it and has since they started coaching with him. Normal lad in every other way from what I could see and probably an above average kicker for his age - it didn't seem to bother him that much it just seemed like an automatic habit. Was doing it in kicking practice and in game. I did say to him after that there was no need to apologise even David Clifford makes mistakes. Mention it to the parents (know his mother pretty well - a lot better than the other coaches would) or just leave him/let him grow out of it?
subservient Attitude. Feeling like he has to apologise to everyone for any mistakes. It's a personality issue. Just keep reinforcing the good and explaining no need to apologise for mistakes. Take him out of a training game for 2 minutes and let him watch the game pointing out the mistakes made and how the players just got on with it and never apologised. Best you can do. Prob goes deeper than you'll change in 1-2 hrs a week.
The other possibility is that it's because of the parents...
Quote from: twohands!!! on August 22, 2023, 09:50:08 AM
Bit of an unusual one - was helping out at an U8 session over the weekend and there was one young lad who was apologising every single time when a kick wasn't perfect. Like every single kick that was any way slightly off. Asked the regular lads and they said he always does it and has since they started coaching with him. Normal lad in every other way from what I could see and probably an above average kicker for his age - it didn't seem to bother him that much it just seemed like an automatic habit. Was doing it in kicking practice and in game. I did say to him after that there was no need to apologise even David Clifford makes mistakes. Mention it to the parents (know his mother pretty well - a lot better than the other coaches would) or just leave him/let him grow out of it?
Talk to the parents and try and understand the issue. Does he apologise for stuff outside of football or is it a football thing only would be where I would start my conversation. If its the former then nothing much you can do other than tell parents you noticed it.
Quote from: trueblue1234 on August 22, 2023, 10:51:49 AM
Quote from: twohands!!! on August 22, 2023, 09:50:08 AM
Bit of an unusual one - was helping out at an U8 session over the weekend and there was one young lad who was apologising every single time when a kick wasn't perfect. Like every single kick that was any way slightly off. Asked the regular lads and they said he always does it and has since they started coaching with him. Normal lad in every other way from what I could see and probably an above average kicker for his age - it didn't seem to bother him that much it just seemed like an automatic habit. Was doing it in kicking practice and in game. I did say to him after that there was no need to apologise even David Clifford makes mistakes. Mention it to the parents (know his mother pretty well - a lot better than the other coaches would) or just leave him/let him grow out of it?
subservient Attitude. Feeling like he has to apologise to everyone for any mistakes. It's a personality issue. Just keep reinforcing the good and explaining no need to apologise for mistakes. Take him out of a training game for 2 minutes and let him watch the game pointing out the mistakes made and how the players just got on with it and never apologised. Best you can do. Prob goes deeper than you'll change in 1-2 hrs a week.
Yeah like this idea.
Don't think it's an issue with the parents - seems just like a habit he has - he seems fine and "normal" in pretty much all other aspects from what I've seen. It doesn't seem to be bothering him all that much and doesn't affect his game at all.
Will mention it to the mother in an off-hand way when I see her around.
We had a guy in work like this. Apologies for everything. If you just asked him were a report was, he'd be apologising and saying he'd bring it over. Taking responsibility for other peoples mistakes even. Felt sorry on the poor guy. It was a personality thing with him as he was the same on things outside work. Apologising on behalf of the sandwich shop if they got an order wrong, that sort of thing. Real nice lad. Just bit too soft. Some people took the hand out of him as he never said no to helping people either.