Football: big group

iam coaching under 16s boys soccer and we keep losing our shape paticulary in mid field and this is where i want to control the game from but there always seem to be no one marking up when there is a quick change of possion

I am a coach of a U10 girl’s team, who for the majority haven't previously played.   I'm finding that they are now shying away from the ball and moving backwards instead of closing the gap, tackling or putting the attacking team under pressure when they have the ball. Does anyone have any tips or drills that I can use to help them overcome this?

Hi, I coach about 20-30 adults on half a full size astro turf pitch (which we only have for an hour so time is very limited). They are a decent ability and I'm just wondering if anyone has any creative ideas for either big group drills that keeps them all engaged or smaller drills that are easy to set up and they can rotate around. Thanks

please feel free to text me or call me with your ideas %3A 07903 871542 or post a reply below

I run a 2004 team (under 10s) and have been told by our league to play at under 13 come August 2015. I don't have enough 2004 to make an 11 a side so will have to use some of my 2005s. I don't want to discourage, or knock the confidence of our younger players. How do I prepare my youngsters to play at this level?

Hi I manage and coach two current u8 boys teams and as you can imagine training sessions with 16 boys can be slightly chaotic at times, I need some fresh ideas which will help me maintain control but that the boys can all participate in and enjoy please?Faye

Hi I have quite a large squad (11) for my U9s team. Sometimes not all of them turn up but when they do managing the substitutions can be a nightmare. Have tried planning it out and making 3 subs on a rotation every 6 or 7 minutes. This works OK, just wondered how others do it? Thanks! Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

hi i coach a under 10's boys team.i am looking for help.unfortently we are not the best team around!all my player,s have not been playing long so we are a long way behind other teams we play i am trying to build conferdence on the ball at present they just wak it aways give up the balli am new to coaching and was wondering am i doing the right thing or should i be doing something else with them.

We have been promoted to a higher league this of which I think the kids thoroughly deserve. I've one concern though, at this age you find a number of boys that have experienced growth spurts and are usually disproportionally bigger (not technically better). I find with these games my boys get pushed off the ball and struggle to cope with the strength of these boys. How does one set up a team against a squad that's not better but stronger and bigger.

I took over a under 8s team 2 years ago unfortunately soccer is not my game and I did as there was no other option other than to fold. Im a good coach in terms of developing a good team (discipline, teamwork , sportsmanship fun etc) but I think my lack of knowledge about the game is holding the team back . I have a 12 players who are about to move up to the under 10s level , they skill level ranges from timid to very skilled, I try to give each player equal time and the lower skilled players are improving (just not at the same pace as the opposition). Unfortunately the opposition we face seem to be light years ahead in terms of playing a scheme and we are often found out during games (i have used a basic zone defense to try and stop the team becoming ball magnets). I think its a mixture of me insisting all players get equal playing time and the fact I dont know enough about the game to be able to coach an effective scheme and to react to opposition schemes. They are good kids and I want to give them a taste of success (you can only say it was bad luck so many times) but cant seem to get our club to take it to the next level. The drills on sportsplan are helpful but a lot of drills are too complicated for the kids age or can simply go wrong very quickly in reality. We dont get thrashed in games but we cant seem to eke out a draws or wins (I know its not all about winning but try explaining that to the kids when they lose on a regular basis)Any suggestions

I am a coach of a U10 girl’s team, who for the majority haven't previously played.   I'm finding that they are now shying away from the ball and moving backwards instead of closing the gap, tackling or putting the attacking team under pressure when they have the ball. Does anyone have any tips or drills that I can use to help them overcome this?

Hi all, I've just started coaching a soccer team of 4 and 5 year olds and would like to discuss with my fellow coaches any drills which you have found to be safe, fun and valuable to the younger age group. I have my level 1 course under my belt and have difficulty in applying what I've learnt to the small kids. They get bored very quickly and are only interested in playing a match at the end of the session. They have no interest in passing the ball or shooting at goal whilst doing drills. Running with the ball is no problem as they are keeping active and all have a ball at their feet. As soon as they line up or have to share a ball, there are problems. I have a variety of drills which I run through with them, traffic lights, robin hood, alamo, sharks and fishes to name a few with variations of each but I crave more as everywhere I search caters for U6 upwards. I coach an U8 side midweek and have no problem with these lads as they are that bit older and have a greater level of concentration. (not by much mind). So I'm asking for advice from anyone who has coached 4 and 5 YOs and would like to know what has worked for you. PM replies welcome.  Marc

I am taking charge of a senior squad of 45 players to serve 3 senior teams : 1st team, reserve and an A team. We are planning to train together as one squad so to retain consistent message for each team. I would like advice on how to effectively organise a group of that size into a standard one and a half hour session, with a minimum of 3-4 coaches available, so that the players get the best out of the session and an effective objective for each session can be achieved.

Disciplining for misbehaviour? 8-11 year olds, they dont really get bored because i know that sometimes that can be the cause. How or what can i apply a bit of strictness into the team.

Hi, I have taken on my first U11 football team and we are building a squad from scratch for all comers, we have picked up some good players with a few who have hardly ever kicked a ball. I have always promoted everyione is welcome but it seems some of the better players are now making comments that they wont stay if the lesser players continue! What do i do?

Heya guys, I am a new coach, for my local town, we are a new side, in a really tough league, the other managers of the teams, think it is silly, we have made a team for that league, I was told on a match day, that we would not even win one game, or even get a point all year, because the teams are so strong, we have 4 points on the boared at the mo, and are slowly getting there, I was Just wondering, how to bring players out of there shell, and try to increase goal percent -). Josh

I think I asked once before, but I can't find the answer. On the drill pages there is a grid on field size, how big is each square? I'm thinking it is 5 yards

Hello all! My kids aged 9 and 7 are very slow when compared to their peers of the same age. They don't seem to fight for the ball and get and watch others play their game. They seem to lack the urgency (heart) needed for the game. (They LOVE football). How can make them move around and react faster. Any help you are able to provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks O