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development over success?

I have just finished my first season coaching under 12's I coach them on Wednesday nights and the manager coaches on Fridays where I assist. When I came to the club at the tail end of last season, the subs were lucky if they got between 2-5 minutes on the pitch. My philosophy has always been to include every member of the team, especially with the role on role of rule.This seemed to work well this season, although one or two of the 'better' players didn't like coming off, but in the last game of the season, the manager had two subs, brought one on at half time and gave the other the last four minutes. ( We had a chance of finishing 4th in the league if results went for us, which they didn't and we ended up 5th) The subs that got 4 minutes was my son, which made it slightly harder for me to drive the point home that we needed to get him on.How do I encourage a philosophy where by everyone plays? because my son has said that if the team 'goes back to the old ways' he will not want to play anymore.

Steve ODonoghueCoach, England

2 answers

ANSWERS

nathan abbottParent, England

always devolopment especially at this age as kids bodys change almost weekly give them a foundation in football and they will be able to play for life also the only get better by playing in matchs no matter what you in training, also if the so called stars leave the team will go backwards, try to get coaches to play kids in diffferent positions as it might open up different options and abilities i did this and a child who played as a striker is now one of the better defenders as his skills are transferable