Football: football match

I usually plan my session the Friday night before Saturday training . I anticipated 12 players but then this sequence of events happened. Friday 8.36pm, parent texts amp; says child can't come as he is doing 11+ mocks (did he only just realise this?). Saturday 8.57am, another parent texts amp; says as they went to a wedding the night before, child is in no fit state to train (again, was this something that only just occured to them may happen?). Saturday 9.26am, parent phones amp; says child is throwing up (fair enough, I guess). Saturday 9.57am, parent texts, another puking child (a bug perhaps doing the rounds? Bit late notice though as we start training in 18 mins). Saturday 9.58am, another text from another child's parent to say child is throwing up (Hmmm, another one. Late notice again?). Saturday 10.15am, training starts but another child is missing. I give it 5 mins then phone. Parent says they are off to theme park amp; he sent me a text. I said that I never received text amp; asked if I sent an acknowledgement to aforementioned text to which he said no which I said meant his text wasn't receieved. I went from 12 players training @ 8.36pm Friday to 6 by start of training in under 10 hours. My session plan went in the bin. I realise the sickness is one of those things but think the last 2 were rather late in notifying me. As for the other 3, I feel these to be lame excuses. What can I implement to try to stop or reduce these issues? Fines? Suspensions? Nothing? #frustrated

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

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

My Under 9 team keeps starting games slowly. Normally by half time they are just getting switched on and playing like they can. What's a good pre-match warm up to get them switched on and ready to go right from kick off?

I coach a school girls 1st football team. In terms of having training intensity as we head into championship round, is there any drills or advice you can give me for ideas? I tell them to train during a drill like it's a game but think they need some other form to replicate an intense environment.

I was speaking to my players at my last training session about where most goals are kicked in a football match, are you aware of any stats on the subject, for example how many goals are kicked inside the 18 yard box as opposed to out side the box.

Any suggestion on a good warm up for a game for under 12s

Hi, My team plays in a mini soccer league which is 7v7. Whats the best formation to play in the environment. We have played 2-3-1 all season but i was looking at 3-1-2 this season using the left and right backs as wingers aswell. Any one got any thoughts? Cheers

hi all ,im after a good warm up session for under 14 girls ,bear in mind  there is only two adults that have to put up goal nets as well as the warm up.and the girls get there 30 mins before kick off.

Anybody any suggestions for a pre-match warm up?

hi, my players are a bit too nice on the pitch and don't get stuck in enough.How can i change them to be more competitive on the pitch?

There are a number of pupils in my class that don't know the basic skills needed to play football, they lack the skills needed and the discipline. Because of that I'm asking if any of you have some ideas what to do? Ideally I need ideas on what to do to help get my class into shape and to start learning the basics.

I am a new coach and new to the game. what should i concentrate on for U14 girls practice.

Hi All. My U13s look great in training every week - they pass the ball great they work hard for each other. All round they look great, but as soon as they play league football it all falls apart, I have tried to calm them down on match days and to play the way they do in training but nothing works. Any ideas ???????

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

Hello, I have just started two new football teams within a school. They are both aged 16-18. Our first team is going really well, winning most games, however, whilst still unbeaten, the second team is drawing every match. I am convinced that these are great results, however the team morale seems a bit low, particularly the second team. The skill and talent is there, I was just wondering if there was a good structure for weekly training sessions? I was hoping that there was a strategy for working with new teams as well? Thanks.

Hi all. I have been an occasional helper on a girls U11 team but from next season onwards I will be taking more of a lead. I want to get the one hough a week coaching sessions to be more organised to provide benefit but also fun and also start to set-up a more regular pre-match warm-up and training drills. Would anyone have some plans that they may be able to share or some pointers on bext places to start. Many thanks.

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.

What is the best warm up routine for U9 boys before a game? Thanks Coach Heath

I have a player who i would describe as being "Alpha male" he is very disruptive at training and constantly having niggles with other players and challenging for the us the coaches.We have tonight stopped them having game time at end of training due to their behavior as a team and also reinforced the "Respect" values and that if they are not well behaved in training and preparation on match day they will not make the starting line up and in extreme cases will be asked to miss games.I have tried yellow/red card system and sending to side lines for a few minutes.Should we start to reward good behavior with some kind of sticker/merit and league table and prize for first one to reach target ?It has all come to a head at training tonight and looking for any ideas or if anyone has had or got similar situation.