Football: under 8

My team is progressing well, however we never do agility drills in training yet. They are under 8's. When is the right time to start agility drills for them.

Is there a way to help my under 8's team to pass and mark in a fun amp; enjoyable way?

does anyone know if my mates son can join another team even tho he's in one now? does he need to resign from his main team first?

what kind of session do I plan for under 8 players.

We have three teams of U8 that play in different leagues all with different skill levels. Is it better to train the three teams seperately so they bond and play as a team or would you swap players around each week.which could mean a league 5 player playing in league 2. Could this knock his confidence?

How do you motivate U'8s to develop a winning mentality. I am trying to get 8 little under 8's up for a game on a weekly basis. When they go a goal up they are unstoppable, if they go a goal down they pack it in! How do you get your teams up for it before kick off?

I've got a player who is commanding, brilliant at spreading the play, and is no doubt my best player in my under 8's 5 a-side team. I've decided most times that he's going to be captain. The question is, whether or not you think it's right to give the captaincy to just one player? How do you guys organise yours? Rotate it? Have just one? Give it to the best trainer that week?

Thinking of buying my U10's a chocolate Christmas selection box each to give to them after their last game of the year (13th Dec). Is this appropriate? Thanks

Me and my team did a fundraiser over the past couple of weeks, and have raised quite a lot of money on which to spend on our individual squad. Mine are under 8's, and I'm looking for some ideas on what the best equipment you think is most beneficial to my age group?We're currently in 5 a-side, but going up into 7 a-side the beginning of next season. I've got a talented group of players who I believe will excel in any way I coach them, it's just I'd like some pieces of equipment - stuff like training nets, rebounders etc. - in order to put them onto more advanced methods.No worries about price limits, just let me know. Ta!

I'm supporting an under 8's team, and would like some advice and drills/ideas to help bring on their skills and also keep them engaged?

This is my first season managing under 8 team , some of my boys play as individuals and look for personal glory i.e. Scoring goals , how do I get them into the habit of passing to a team mate in a better position and thinking of the team first. Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Hi... where can I find drills that are relevant to under 8's please?Many thannks

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.

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.

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 have justed started coaching an under 8 team that plays 5-a-side, as is normal with small kids the tendency is to follow the ball around like sheep. How do I get then to maintain their positions and move as a unit? What drills would be useful to teach positional awareness and team play?thanks

Hi we have just started out as a team and in the few friendlies we have had the children are not defending at all. I understand at this age to keep it easy and interesting but would welcome any tips I could use in training.Thanks

Need help to develop striking for under 8 Please help?

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

Looking for a some drills to help under 8 and 9's to stop crowding round the ball and to pass and move into space