How to Coach POSITIONS to kids (Football Coaches Guide) 

Thanks Matt! Really appreciate the support ❤️⚽️

Thanks Jeff! Really appreciate the feedback!

Thanks Josh! Hope it comes in useful!

Do it mate, I've been working on team shape since day one, they love it because they are practicing the real game, and the kids enjoy that

That’s great Matt! Sounds like our coach mentor programme would really benefit you! Drop us an email if you’d be interested in more personal advice and guidance! Ben@catalansoccer.com

Same here mate… I’m finding it hard to be able to communicate at a level that the kids will understand

The same way. In bitesize chunks, with exciting language and animation on your tactics board. You have to try and be more interesting and fun than anything distracting them!

Ben is undeniably top class when it comes to coaching....the "ease" at which he communicates and activates the understanding of these concepts with kids is a testament to his passion and the work he's clearly put in to it..... I've been coaching grassroots (U5-U14) for 5 years.....I watched some Catalan Soccer videos a couple years ago.... I think i probably tried to half-heartedly imitate and implement an exercise or two in my practices that i saw in his videos.... at the time, that was all that i was "looking for"...i thought..... I can honestly say that I see all of his content in a different way these couple years later.... .what i love about coaching is that it's a whole new way, for me, to reconnect with or "play" the beautiful game....whole new area for my own development :D Dont be too hard on yourself, take it one practice at a time..... And never forget.... They're 6.....or 7 ...or 9 and half ...or about to be 11.... I've found a lot of value in seeing that they enjoy playing the game

Thanks for the kind feedback 👊🏻

Thanks man

Yes absolutely l! The endgame for coaching this is for kids to be able to reset without the ball going out of play and regain their shape whilst in or out of possession. I’d focus on the defensive side first and then build from there!

@@CatalanSoccer Awesome, keep up the great work 👍

As these kids aren’t a “team” they were just told to play any position they liked, but with team Kids you would assign them specific positions before the game

Generally speaking, you can't give roles to players you barely know. train them and see who fits in which position

@@braggssports2020 we have the intention now in the beginning to let every player try every position, but i just wondered if I should assign roles before the drill or if the kids decide and they choose the nearest pancake to stand on.

@bagsyme I think allowing the kids to choose their best role would be best. However, you, as their coach, are required to shift their roles depending on how you see them perform that role.

They didn’t always listen like this, it’s a process of making your interventions very short to start with, minimum information, then gradually increase the length of interventions over a few weeks. We give them a “listening position” which is sat on their football in a huddle. When we are in this position we all sit and listen, and when we’re stood up, they can be more silly, chatty etc. We make a deal at the start of the session, lots of match time and lots of fun, if we get through the learning points quickly and together. If they start talking too much or not listening then we remind them that it’s fun time and match time that is being lost. Every drinks break we send the kids over to the drink square and they get a few minutes to chat, but once it’s back into the listening position it’s time to focus on the next task. All that comes with time and most importantly, you have to be more engaging and fun that the things that are distracting them! So make sure your personality comes through in your talks with the kids!

@@CatalanSoccer thank you! I will try and do this too. How many training sessions a week do u give these boys?

@OsmanKann just once per week

It does get slightly (very slightly 😂) easier as they get older. I think the key is being able to relate to them, be interesting, speak to them on their level in language they'll understand and so on and that changes over the years. It's slightly easier for me as I have a son in the team so I see all the stuff they're up to/in to away from the pitch which helps.

@simonbaker3612 this is absolutely true! So important do talk about things they can relate to!

There’s no reason kids can’t take on a lot of information if it’s delivered in an engaging way at steady intervals.

Haha! Think someone got a bit excited!