Defining success for young players

For example, one league in Cornwall introduced a Champions League where all the teams play in small round-robin groups before going through to knockout stages. Feedback was so positive they now do this up to U13 and local leagues are also looking to employ a similar strategy.

Leagues can then use the scores from the blocks of development matches between competitions to get teams in the right groups. No team wants to have games that are too easy or be beaten heavily every week, so there’s a crucial role still in the administrators making sure teams get pitted evenly against others.

This isn't saying what we’ve been doing has been wrong for years, we’re saying this might be a great way of engaging more kids in the game we love, for longer, in a more modern way. We must move away from the win-at-all costs culture in this country, we quite simply have to. It’s ruining the game for everyone, stifling development and hindering enjoyment.

But tournaments are a strange time for young players. It creates an environment that heaps a huge amount of pressure and stress, but also fun and enjoyment in one day. It sees children and young people experience a whole season's worth of football crammed into one day and personally, I love them! These can be fantastic learning opportunities for coaches and players of all ages.

So, here are a few things to think about on how to get the best out of the day.

What is success?Before the day starts it's important to define what success looks like for the young players. Is it winning the tournament? Is it putting into practice all the things you've been doing in training? Is it the social side of a day for the families to come together in the sun (hopefully) and enjoy themselves?

Whatever success looks like, it really helps if you can define this or, more importantly, ask the players to define what this means to them. We did this with our group of U10 boys on a tour to Germany and shaped all the discussions into three key objectives for us on the trip:

1. To try and win the tournament - that's why we entered and it’s a game after all.

2. To learn some new things - whether about how to travel well, words in another language, but importantly, things both on and off the pitch.

3. To have fun - vital and incorporated the aspects of team bonding and enjoyment too.

The important part was the boys had a voice as part of the discussions into what they wanted to achieve, not just us as the coaches. Try and find some ways to let them decide what they want from it too. Depending on how brave you’re feeling depends on how far you want to go. If the focus is on enjoyment and having a great day with all the families and other kids around, you can almost experiment more.

Also, why not try:

1. Let the kids decide who plays what game and when

Can you challenge their leadership skills to decide this? Can you ask them to think about different reasons as to why certain players would play at certain times? Can you ask them to think about who plays and why?

For example, if you know some of the teams you’re playing against, the children might decide that the best player has to play against the best opposition but could be rested against a lesser team. There’s every chance they’ll come to the same conclusion you would’ve done - but think about the added value of learning they get from making this decision themselves. This helps support empowering young people - vital.

2. Let the players have an input into what positions they play

Can you be bold and ask their opinion? That player you have pigeon holed all season "because he kicks it a long way therefore must play in defence" might want to try playing somewhere else. Your goalkeeper might want to have a try playing out on pitch. In my experiences, I have one or two outfield players in my team that think they’re a goalkeeper and love messing about with the gloves on, so let them play a game there.

3. Let the learners contribute on the formation and strategy to play

Have the discussion with the players – what’s the best formation to play and why? If we play a 2-3-1 and they play a 3-1-2 where does this mean we have advantages? Where does this mean they might have advantages? Rather than you decide every game what and how it shall all be done, relax and listen to the views of the children. They might have some really good ideas.

4. Manage the parents' expectations

If you have the kids taking ownership of the day on some of the matters above, share this with the parents. Explain that the kids have decided on certain aspects and they should be commended for having a go at trying something new. Share the definition of success for the day.

One of the best pieces of advice is to ask the parents to bring a chair so they can sit down, relax, and enjoy watching their kids have a good time playing football. It's amazing how chilled parents become if they’re sitting down watching a game rather than standing up, edging along the touchline desperate to shout what they think is advice to their son or daughter.

5. Understand the day from their perspective

Tournaments and festivals are often long days, sometimes with long breaks between games and lots of boredom. However, it’s a real necessity that you manage the health and energy levels of the children appropriately. Make sure they drink enough and have sun cream on, especially in hot weather. Make sure they eat enough, sensible and reasonably healthy food too. The last thing you want is the players filling themselves with sweets throughout the day, massively high blood sugar levels (and managing them) and then when they crash down, having to pick them up to play in a game.

They’ll be very excitable at the start, probably expend more energy when they aren't playing doing other things (still playing, chasing each other, messing about) and then wonder why they have nothing left in the tank when it comes to game time. Try and ensure the players get rest between matches too and by engaging them in tasks 1-3, this keeps them focused on football without racing about or throwing water over each other.

It can also be a time that pressure builds, depending on how far they might get in the competition. Manage this; make sure they don't feel under pressure to "have to win" but to constantly "try their best". That's all you can ask of them.

And if they lose on penalties in the semi-final, expect them to be upset, expect a few tears. What is important is the learning and lessons that come from times like this, so focus on these factors rather than your own disappointment. This needs to be hidden away from their view - no flailing arms, moaning at the referee or shouting at anyone - be a good role model to the children, that's what they want from you.

Children just want to know everything will be ok, you still love them regardless of whether they won or lost, and that tomorrow is another day.


This article was first published in The Boot Room magazine in April 2014.