U8 ...with goalkeeper?

[ScissorKick]

Is this typical for U8 age group? We are on our 3rd week of practice and 1st game is this coming Saturday. Found out we will be using a goalie at this age group, but have not practice for this. Most of my players are 1st time players so it'll be hard to put "no hands" exception this far in the game, pun intended! Any suggestions as to what to do in this situation?

[rca2]

You could treat the keeper as a sweeper. If you elect not to have them play with their hands, you will have to explain your election to the kids and the parents. The kids will wonder why the other team's keeper is using his hands and not yours.

It would probably cause trouble if you did not designate a player as keeper. My choice would be to have the keeper be a sweeper/keeper. Explain to the players where on the field they can use their hands while being the keeper. Encourage the keeper to play as a sweeper and move upfield. Rotate the position so that nobody is playing keeper for very long. Even if some six year old were to be a professional keeper some day, he still needs to learn foot skills.

[Mr.Galaxy]

I assume this is AYSO or something similar. Don't panic, just spend a few minutes with your first volunteer keeper and show him how to get in front of the ball and some very fundamental basics. Then hope for the best. He'll be fine. I coached an AYSO U-8 team last year and the same thing happened. The other team will score, so what, it's non-competitive at this age, let them explore the game and have fun. However take a few minutes every practice to teach some keeper fundamentals. Obviously you can incorporate striking into the drill while having a keeper in place. Good luck.

[equus]

I don't know if it's typical, but we use goalkeepers at U8 (7v7), and I'd rather not at this age group, but that's what we have to work with.

I coach girls so it's not always easy to find those willing to stand in goal with balls kicked at them, but we usually get four or five that want to try it each season. A few really enjoy it. We rotate them through, one each quarter.

One of my parents is a GK coach at a small college and she takes the girls from time to time to basically go over hand positioning (in front, with fingers and thumbs in the shape of an upside-down heart instead of a 'W'), and movement.

We play with 6' x 18' goals and that's a lot of area to cover, so we just ask them to try their best. We teach them to close the angle down if it's one-on-one and to stay low and make yourself as wide as possible, but other than that I just let them give it a shot, don't sweat it if a goal is scored, and keep their confidence up no matter what. If they act as sweeper that's cool as well.

I keep a pair of thin goalie gloves made for that age group only for confidence. The ones that do use them think they make them more protected and brave sticking their hands out, but some choose not to wear them.

The big thing is getting them to understand they can take the ball to the edge of the penalty area and throw it to a teammate. Sometimes they only run to the edge of the goal box (we can't practice on game fields and we practice on a non-lined field so marking it with cones isn't quite the same.) Once they get that, the next thing is to hustle back to the goal line. :)

Hope that helps...

[threeputzzz]

Unfortunately we use keepers at every level in our local rec league - even at u5.
At any level u5-u8 I would simply point out the penalty area and instruct the keeper that anytime the ball enters that area, pick it up and throw it quickly upfield to anyone on your team. You will find as you put different players in goal some will have an knack for it and with some it will be like playing without a keeper at all.

[strike]

Unfortunately we use keepers at every level in our local rec league - even at u5.
At any level u5-u8 I would simply point out the penalty area and instruct the keeper that anytime the ball enters that area, pick it up and throw it quickly upfield to anyone on your team. You will find as you put different players in goal some will have an knack for it and with some it will be like playing without a keeper at all.

Two insane points here. You have a U-5 league!? And you have keepers for U-5!? You must tell me where this is, I'm dying to see how a 3-4 year old handles strikes. I thought U-6 was the youngest in leagues, even rec leagues. Wow, learn something new every day I suppose. In AYSO keepers start at U-8. Having keepers in U-6 is a real bad idea, let alone U-5.

[threeputzzz]

Two insane points here. You have a U-5 league!?

Our local club offers a spring recreational league that begins at the level of kids going into kindergarten the following fall. I use the designator u5 because that is the age group that the vast majority of the kids would fall into. Some are 4 but most are 5 during the season. No 3 year olds. And don't let the word "league" lead you to believe there are scores or standings kept. It's a rec program.

And you have keepers for U-5!?

Yup, and while I would prefer we not have keepers (I'm a coach not a league administrator) that is the way it is set up. It's not ideal but not a disaster either.[/QUOTE]

You must tell me where this is, I'm dying to see how a 3-4 year old handles strikes. I thought U-6 was the youngest in leagues, even rec leagues. Wow, learn something new every day I suppose.

I'm in Minnesota but you will find similar leagues all over the country. Change 3-4 year old to 4-5 year old. U5 here is defined as under 5 years old as of August 1st of the prior year, and the season starts in May. YMMV. http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/leagues/birthyear.cfm

In AYSO keepers start at U-8. Having keepers in U-6 is a real bad idea, let alone U-5.

Again not ideal but "real bad idea" is an overstatement in my experience. Kids this age don't strike the ball very hard, most "shots" are simply dribbling the ball into the net. Sometimes the keeper is too busy picking dandelions behind the goal to be bothered to try to stop the "shot". Sometimes the player on a breakaway will stop to wave at Mom. Kindergarten soccer is awesome.

[cleansheetbsc]

Two insane points here. You have a U-5 league!? And you have keepers for U-5!? You must tell me where this is, I'm dying to see how a 3-4 year old handles strikes. I thought U-6 was the youngest in leagues, even rec leagues. Wow, learn something new every day I suppose. In AYSO keepers start at U-8. Having keepers in U-6 is a real bad idea, let alone U-5.

To me, most important thing is to teach them self-defense. DO NOT drop to your knees to pick up a ball, otherwise you will meet head on thighs and hips that will hurt you a lot.

We have 4 yo's play here 3v3 no goalkeepers. Its not soccer, but its were it starts. We start our rec goalkeeping in 2nd grade (rec kids like to "progress" to "real" soccer quicker) Travel we don't go goalkeepers until U-10.

[ScissorKick]

thanks to everyone who replied. Today is our last practice before our first game on saturday.

What do you think of a simple dribble and strike game with a rotating goalie as a drill? You dribble and kick at designated distance, then it's your turn to be goalie.

I am afraid we'll be ill prepared for the first game as I have not been able to practice placing positions with the players...I expect alot of bunching from my team. :eek:

[Monkey Boy]

I am afraid we'll be ill prepared for the first game as I have not been able to practice placing positions with the players...I expect alot of bunching from my team. :eek:

Don't be afraid of the bunching, it's a natural and good thing. It's basically all of the players wanting to get the ball. That desire is a good thing and there should be no need to practice positions or strict rules aimed at avoiding it.

As an alternative to teaching positions, instead teach the players what to do when they do get the ball. Take control of the ball and look up while they dribble to see the open space to dribble to. Sometimes that open space will be behind them, and sometimes dribbling to it will lose the ball. That should not be punished, even if it results in a goal for the opponent.

Remember, the score doesn't matter! Learning and having fun is what counts.

Encourage going to the ball, encourage dribble with the head up and looking for open space, etc. If kids learn great dribble tricks with their head down, then they will have a difficult time transitioning to having their head up.

Most of the problems with tactics for kids when they get older is even the best dribblers put their heads down when they have the ball. Think of it like basketball - you want to see the entire court (field) when you have the ball and just know where the ball is while dribbling.

The concept of ball control while having your head up is 100 times more important than bunching. Focus on that and you will see a dramatic improvement by half-way through the season. It will cost you many goals and some frustration at first though, but stick with it.

[Twenty26Six]

The concept of ball control while having your head up is 100 times more important than bunching. Focus on that and you will see a dramatic improvement by half-way through the season. It will cost you many goals and some frustration at first though, but stick with it.

Plus, the kids won't panic and get rid of the ball at the first sight of pressure when they start "playing" at U10 and U12.

[Monkey Boy]

Plus, the kids won't panic and get rid of the ball at the first sight of pressure when they start "playing" at U10 and U12.

Good point. The benefits of teaching kids how to dribble comfortably with their heads up will help them tremendously down the road.

It's so easy to coach a U10 and above kid on passing, spacing, positioning, defending, etc if he/she already knows how to control the ball with their head up.

[rca2]

Again not ideal but "real bad idea" is an overstatement in my experience. Kids this age don't strike the ball very hard, most "shots" are simply dribbling the ball into the net. Sometimes the keeper is too busy picking dandelions behind the goal to be bothered to try to stop the "shot". Sometimes the player on a breakaway will stop to wave at Mom. Kindergarten soccer is awesome.

That is exactly why having kids playing keeper is a total waste of training time
at that age. I consider wasted development time to be a real bad idea. Even future keepers need to develop their footskills first.

[ScissorKick]

Don't be afraid of the bunching, it's a natural and good thing. It's basically all of the players wanting to get the ball. That desire is a good thing and there should be no need to practice positions or strict rules aimed at avoiding it.

As an alternative to teaching positions, instead teach the players what to do when they do get the ball. Take control of the ball and look up while they dribble to see the open space to dribble to. Sometimes that open space will be behind them, and sometimes dribbling to it will lose the ball. That should not be punished, even if it results in a goal for the opponent.

Remember, the score doesn't matter! Learning and having fun is what counts.

Encourage going to the ball, encourage dribble with the head up and looking for open space, etc. If kids learn great dribble tricks with their head down, then they will have a difficult time transitioning to having their head up.

Most of the problems with tactics for kids when they get older is even the best dribblers put their heads down when they have the ball. Think of it like basketball - you want to see the entire court (field) when you have the ball and just know where the ball is while dribbling.

The concept of ball control while having your head up is 100 times more important than bunching. Focus on that and you will see a dramatic improvement by half-way through the season. It will cost you many goals and some frustration at first though, but stick with it.

Thanks for the encouragment MonkeyBoy...This is my second season coaching and those are some of the skills (looking up, dribbling, protecting the ball) I have tried to teach my kids. But I noticed last season (U6) that other teams were already placing players in positions. I am assuming being U8, other teams will be doing this even more. In addition, scores and standings will be kept, so there will be that "win" expectations.

BTW, we did practice the goalie position, most girls did very well, but alot of them had that "you kick, before I attack" mode. The attacking player would get to a certain point and stop. The goalie would not come out and the attacker would not kick!

[rca2]

That standoff is not a keeper mistake by the way, assuming the keeper has cut down the angle properly. I let keepers learn by trial and error when to come off their line. All I tell them is to not do it halfway. Either come off the line or don't. You don't want to get the kids hesitant. I never second guess them about their decisions. I praise them either way. In my opinion it is the decisiveness that you want to encourage. The result is unimportant. Keepers, and players generally, have to put mistakes behind them fast. The kids will make errors. Errors are not bad. That is how they learn.

[Monkey Boy]

The kids will make errors. Errors are not bad. That is how they learn.

The best quote in any coaching forum that can be made!

[threeputzzz]

That is exactly why having kids playing keeper is a total waste of training time
at that age. I consider wasted development time to be a real bad idea. Even future keepers need to develop their footskills first.

Using keepers during games does not waste training time. Teaching players to play the position at practice does. There is no requirement that you must do the later to do the former.

[Rebaño_Sagrado]

Using keepers during games does not waste training time. Teaching players to play the position at practice does. There is no requirement that you must do the later to do the former.

This is insane.

At the very least you want to make sure your keeper understands the rules; when he can't use hands (backpass); where he can (penalty box area); where to place a goal kick; How to protect themselve if they get kicked...etc.

Some basic goalkeeping training to help them succeed and build confidence. Each kid should get a chance at goalkeeping at least a half during the season, in my opinion.

[threeputzzz]

This is insane.

At the very least you want to make sure your keeper understands the rules; when he can't use hands (backpass); where he can (penalty box area); where to place a goal kick; How to protect themselve if they get kicked...etc.

Some basic goalkeeping training to help them succeed and build confidence. Each kid should get a chance at goalkeeping at least a half during the season, in my opinion.

We are talking about the U5 level - have you ever coached at this level? Backpass? Not a chance. Refs (ususally the coaches at this age) will place the ball for GKs. All that is required is to point out the PA and instruct the keeper that when the ball comes into the PA pick it up and throw it to a teammate. That's it. Takes all of 10 seconds for each keeper the first time they play the position.

[Rebaño_Sagrado]

We are talking about the U5 level - have you ever coached at this level? Backpass? Not a chance. Refs (ususally the coaches at this age) will place the ball for GKs. All that is required is to point out the PA and instruct the keeper that when the ball comes into the PA pick it up and throw it to a teammate. That's it. Takes all of 10 seconds for each keeper the first time they play the position.

u5... yeah...what kind of league would even use goalies at that point?

The thread title says u8 tho.

The youngest I've coached is u6. In my area the teams start using goalies at u8.