The slow-motion, a bit overweight player

[goru_no_ura]

I have two very dynamic and athletic U8 and U9 teams. Somebody here think I overtrain them :), but they usually go two hours with no problems, and even finish practice with some extra running (today 900m + suicides), while laughing.

However, I happen to have also a (not too dramatically, for now) overweight boy who is struggling to keep up. He is a good soccer-boy, dedicated and relatively skilled, but his speed while running can be compared to that of my 75yo mom walking.

Once I put him into the game, he clearly slows down the whole team, and always loses the opponent when defending. This week he costed us a goal. To make things worse, he is a great fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, thus he thinks he can play on the right side...

The good thing is that this kid very serious, thus it can be trained.

However, I have no idea about what to do. He is not eating junk, or too much, but I know he plays a lot of videogames. He just seems to be going slow-motion.

Can anybody help with some reliable advice about how to "speed-up" these kind of boys?

Thanks a lot in advance.

[ranova]

My approach is one of encouragement and taking the long term view. I work on self-esteem and encourage things that will change his lifestyle. Better eating habits and more exercise. The last thing you want to do is "accommodate" an overweight condition. It could be that his slowness has other causes than his weight. A late bloomer for instance or poor coordination. (I looked about 12 years old in my high school graduation picture :) and was the slowest and lightest person on the football team.) In the short term of a soccer season, its too much to expect (and maybe not healthy) to see a dramatic improvement.

[Val1]

Uh, C Ronaldo usually plays on the left...

We're talking about a 7 or 8 year old, right? He likes the game, he's technically proficient, he works hard (so I presume he has a good attitude). I don't see a problem. He's just slow. He hasn't hit his growth spurt yet, so you don't know what kind of speed he's going to have as he matures, so it is too early to make much in the way of his future. Keep doing what you're doing, you already have longer practices than I would and you're running them more than I run my kids, so he's getting good exercise. Instead, work on focusing him on what he does well and work on building his control. Really work on his developing his other foot. This may be a blessing because the kids who are hyper athletic learn to depend on their speed and they get shortchanged on the control department. The other "benefit" of being slower is that it forces some kids to be better readers of the game. My best player for the past two years is an average athlete at best, but her reading of the game is very good. The best athlete in the league can't read the game at all.

As for where to play this guy, well, I'd let him try a little of everything, which is what I recommend at this level anyway. If he's playing defense, this becomes an opportunity to teach your other players about the need to support and cover. If he's playing striker, he may surprise you with some bursts of speed (since it always easier to run fast when you're attacking). He may develop good keeper instincts.

In short (too late, you say) accentuate the positive and don't worry too much about the lack of speed. If it doesn't come naturally for him, build him into the kind of player who doesn't need speed.

[Monkey Boy]

So what if he cost you a goal or ends up giving up a bunch! It's U8/U9! We shouldn't care of winning or losing at this age. It's about the kids becoming better players and having fun playing the game.

I coached a U9 team who only lost 1 game the whole season, but the following year only won 2 games. They ended up learning more in the 2nd year and had plenty of fun along the way. Let them take chances, experiment and have fun on the field!

Who cares if this kid can't keep pace right now? Keep giving him a chance to get in better shape and improve his speed. It's really up to him and his family when it comes to video game time or what he eats anyway. Maybe if he ends up enjoying the game enough, then he will take it on himself to get in better shape.

Also, I would side with others who say you work the kids too hard. Being able to do it doesn't make it a good for them. There are plenty of studies out there about kids being burned out on sports too early because of being over worked at a young age.

And yes, as mentioned above, C. Ronaldo usually plays on the left.

[Twenty26Six]

I have to rail you on this one. You should in no way be concerned with the fitness of these boys. They are 1/10th the finished product in terms of athletic ability.

Who cares if they lost? They are 8 or 9, it's irrelevant.

You need to coach development and learning, not performance and winning. Which would put fitness as the 100th out of 100 concerns on your agenda.


...

[goru_no_ura]

Cristiano Ronaldo started in Beckham's position (right) and played there for at least two seasons. He can play on both sides. Lately more on the left, but he goes also on the right. He and Giggs switch side often.

Winning/losing at a given age is a problem related to different soccer cultures. From where I come from (Italy) and also in other places such as Mexico, Brasil, Spain, Greece, Japan, Singapore etc. winning is important since U6. Live with it. Accept differences, and please don't preach a universal soccer law. There ain't one. This is the world's game and it's ebautiful because of diverse interpretations.

That said, my question was about kids ALREADY overweight at 8, and slower than normal...

[goru_no_ura]

Who cares if this kid can't keep pace right now? Keep giving him a chance to get in better shape and improve his speed.

I was asking if somebody has any idea about HOW to help him, besides waiting. I have seen the trajectory of quite a few overweight boys (a serious problem in my state), and waiting doesn't seem as a very functional technique.

They usually keep getting fatter, and quit sports.

I think soccer could help to save some of them from obesity, but not being an expert in diet and overweight children's physical development, I was asking...


Again, about overworking children, in count\ies where there are no SAT, Playstations and regimented life for children, kids play in the open an average of 6 hours per day.

You guys need to travel a bit more. ;)

[Monkey Boy]

I was asking if somebody has any idea about HOW to help him, besides waiting. I have seen the trajectory of quite a few overweight boys (a serious problem in my state), and waiting doesn't seem as a very functional technique.

They usually keep getting fatter, and quit sports.

I think soccer could help to save some of them from obesity, but not being an expert in diet and overweight children's physical development, I was asking...


Again, about overworking children, in count\ies where there are no SAT, Playstations and regimented life for children, kids play in the open an average of 6 hours per day.

You guys need to travel a bit more. ;)

and in this country I see a ton of kids who are burned out on a sport by the age of 11 or 12! That is ridiculous and what I am referring to. BTW - playing in the open for fun with friends to 6 hours + per day is different than being pushed to prove yourself at practices by a coach and parents.

As for the C. Ronaldo comment, you stated:
"To make things worse, he is a great fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, thus he thinks he can play on the right side..."
Well obviously since he actually lines up on either the left or right (more recently on the left), you can point this out to this kid and put him whereever you prefer.

As for the overweight problem across this country, yes it is bad and getting worse. Unfortunately, as I stated above, it really is up to each kid to make the choice to change. Maybe someone has a better thought than me, but encouraging him is all I can think to do. Good luck!

[Val1]

So where do you live, Goru?

I understand your point about the differing cultures, but that should reflect mostly on the pressure on yourself, not the pressure you're going to put on the kids. In this month's Soccer America, there is an article about the Barcelona youth academy, and they don't spend much time at all with running or fitness, just ball control and inventiveness. So my advice stands, help him master the ball and feel confident, then he'll keep playing and getting the exercise. And if you're worried about losing, then play him at forward; I always put my strongest kids in defense anyway.

[Twenty26Six]

Winning/losing at a given age is a problem related to different soccer cultures. From where I come from (Italy) and also in other places such as Mexico, Brasil, Spain, Greece, Japan, Singapore etc. winning is important since U6. Live with it. Accept differencess.

Sport dropout rates are increasing due to an overemphasis on winning and performance in young children. The first level FA Psychology course cites research to support that case. I'll trust them over your overly certain "street education".

That said, my question was about kids ALREADY overweight at 8, and slower than normal...

Being overweight has nothing to do with fitness. If you want to help him with his weight problem, talk to his parents about his diet and lifestyle.

I know plenty of kids who were fat at 10 and became great athletes. It had nothing to do with their youth soccer coach improving their fitness.

[BigGuy]

I have two very dynamic and athletic U8 and U9 teams. Somebody here think I overtrain them :), but they usually go two hours with no problems, and even finish practice with some extra running (today 900m + suicides), while laughing.

However, I happen to have also a (not too dramatically, for now) overweight boy who is struggling to keep up. He is a good soccer-boy, dedicated and relatively skilled, but his speed while running can be compared to that of my 75yo mom walking.

Once I put him into the game, he clearly slows down the whole team, and always loses the opponent when defending. This week he costed us a goal. To make things worse, he is a great fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, thus he thinks he can play on the right side...

The good thing is that this kid very serious, thus it can be trained.

However, I have no idea about what to do. He is not eating junk, or too much, but I know he plays a lot of videogames. He just seems to be going slow-motion.

Can anybody help with some reliable advice about how to "speed-up" these kind of boys?

Thanks a lot in advance.

He has to go on a diet and eat healthy.

Make this rule you don't have to sprint for the whole game, but you have to move for the whole game.

You can support a team mate by walking forward. But, you can not support a team mate by stopping.

You can support your team on defense by walking back and trying to get behind the ball. You can not by stopping.

If you stop moving your telling me you want out and rest. So stop moving your comming out.

Make your practices more like game speed. So they and he have to push himself at practices.

[uniteo]

I was asking if somebody has any idea about HOW to help him, besides waiting. I have seen the trajectory of quite a few overweight boys (a serious problem in my state), and waiting doesn't seem as a very functional technique.

They usually keep getting fatter, and quit sports.


Well I think you've answered your question there...make sure it stays enjoyable and he stays involved.

And I will agree that you shouldn't be worried about him costing you a goal (do you, for example, remember the record of teams you were on in 3rd & 4th grade?).

How to help now? Play him in the middle of the field where he'll have to move the whole game but won't get exposed for speed.

And core training to strengthen his abdominals, lower back, obliques. That should help. Remember that speed is often dependent on fast twitch muscles and so lots of running is giving him the wrong type of workout for speed. You'll want to work more on short-burst, explosive movements.

[goru_no_ura]

Thanks for your opinions!

We had a team seminar held by a stort-nutritionist professional. That should hopefully help. She gave a lot of interesting advices, including NO sodas whatsoever, and always dilute your Gatorade 50%.

I like the idea of playing the fatso :) in the middle, where one MUST move; however, it is also true that it is a crucial position... For sure it can be done in given games and during practice.

I am sorry, I prefer not to tell the state I live in: we have such few clubs that it if somebody from my state is here, s/he will understand imemdiately who am I talking about... I hope you understand!

[goru_no_ura]

Sport dropout rates are increasing due to an overemphasis on winning and performance in young children. The first level FA Psychology course cites research to support that case. I'll trust them over your overly certain "street education".

Level in my state is not very high, but improving, as (I believe) the League is very competitive and the best teams now travel a lot. In the last two years we went up 24% with enrollment, while AYSO (the "Boy-scouts" ;))from U12 and up is collapsing.

I don't think winning is the most important thing until you're a pro; but effort and playing well are. And when you practice hard and play well, you usually win enough to stay happy.

If I may, I find it peculiar that so many of you (Americans, I mean/assume) emphasize how winning is not important, while your whole society, from elementary school to world wars, is about defeating the competition and be #1.

Is soccer the only niche where Americans are non-competitive? :D

(Please do not take this as an insult, just for the sake of discussion!-really!!!)

[Twenty26Six]

If I may, I find it peculiar that so many of you (Americans, I mean/assume) emphasize how winning is not important, while your whole society, from elementary school to world wars, is about defeating the competition and be #1.

Thanks for generalizing me. But, that's not really a strong argument, since I AM in the minority on this issue.

You mentioned that he "cost you a goal" but "is good technically" and "works hard".

If that is true, and all you care about is playing hard and well. Then, the kid's fitness should be no issue. But, apparently to you it is an issue. Which means a) you care more about winning than you're saying or b) you're bad at articulating your opinions. ;)

U8/U9 should be about one thing, FUN. Not one thing you can do with 8 and 9 yo kids will have lasting impact on their ability to reach their potential more than fostering a love for the game. B.c a love for the game will INTRINSICALLY motivate them to improve on their own time.

Playing hard does not foster a love for the game, it creates a work ethic. Which may be fun when winning, but will wear them out at 11, 12, 13 when they can't win all the time.

With the methodology and ideas you have, you should probably be coaching U12.

[Monkey Boy]

If I may, I find it peculiar that so many of you (Americans, I mean/assume) emphasize how winning is not important, while your whole society, from elementary school to world wars, is about defeating the competition and be #1.

Is soccer the only niche where Americans are non-competitive? :D

(Please do not take this as an insult, just for the sake of discussion!-really!!!)

Good question, but actually I think the opposite is very true and that's why so many here are against the win at all costs attitude.

Many, including myself, see the win first mentality getting in the way of player development in this country. It might be because too many of the youth coaches don't understand the game, but this mentality has led to the kick and run style of soccer where defenders merely win the ball and then boot it to the forwards hoping for a fast-break counter-attack goal.

This stategy is easy to coach and produces results in the youth game due to how the bigger/fast kids are used. The downside is that it does not help kids to develop their skills. Also it puts the emphasis on athletic ability, speed and size, over technical ability. The result is producing players like Marvell Wynne who are great athletes, but seriously lack on ball skills. The belief is that the players can always learn the skills later, but they really need to develop those skills while they are young.

This mentality is slowly changing across the country, but it is still very popular. A lot of times it's pushed by the parents who think it's more important that the kids win than have fun. Along with that, the paid club coaches are evaluated on wins rather than developing players. It's not that winning is a bad thing, it's that winning at age 8 doesn't mean as much as becoming a better player at age 8.

The backlash at your comments are that it seemed you care more about the player giving up a goal due to being slow than about helping him to become a better player.

[BigGuy]

Level in my state is not very high, but improving, as (I believe) the League is very competitive and the best teams now travel a lot. In the last two years we went up 24% with enrollment, while AYSO (the "Boy-scouts" ;))from U12 and up is collapsing.

I don't think winning is the most important thing until you're a pro; but effort and playing well are. And when you practice hard and play well, you usually win enough to stay happy.

If I may, I find it peculiar that so many of you (Americans, I mean/assume) emphasize how winning is not important, while your whole society, from elementary school to world wars, is about defeating the competition and be #1.

Is soccer the only niche where Americans are non-competitive? :D

(Please do not take this as an insult, just for the sake of discussion!-really!!!)

I am ultra competitive in everything I do in life and most people would call me a winner and I think I am a winner.

We practice for development and to win. I don't need to mention the word winning to my players. I just answer we put the time on the prractice field and we play a good game and we are hard to beat. Most of the time good results happen. When they don't I just say we played a good game and so did they.

You see teams that are shattered when they lose. Girls teams they crying. That is nuts and it also shows how weak they are as people. Weak people are not my favorite people.

[GalaxyOne]

Being overweight has nothing to do with fitness. If you want to help him with his weight problem, talk to his parents about his diet and lifestyle.

I know plenty of kids who were fat at 10 and became great athletes. It had nothing to do with their youth soccer coach improving their fitness.

Being overweight has nothing to do with fitness?

How can you possibly justify that statement? You appear to be going out of your way to be argumentative.

[Twenty26Six]

Being overweight has nothing to do with fitness?

How can you possibly justify that statement? You appear to be going out of your way to be argumentative.

There is no such thing as U8/U9 "fitness".

I'm going out of my way, b.c I strongly believe that U10 and younger is not the place for fitness, results related training, or life lessons.

Kids quit soccer by the millions before adulthood. It's because they have "careers" before they are 16. It's just plain stupid.

The best players at u8 are the most coordinated, balanced and athletic. It has nothing to do with being a good soccer player. Instead of promoting soccer skills, we promote athletes. Which, consequently, is why our national playing style is crap. C-R-A-P.

[rca2]

Being overweight has nothing to do with fitness?
How can you possibly justify that statement?

Easy. You can be physically fit and overweight. For example in the Army weight regulations are based on appearance, not fitness. Being slightly overweight is actually healthy for you.