So for the last 8 of training with my U10 boys rec. team, every practice we juggle for about 10 min. I go around to each boy, they get 5 tries at it and I record their best score each practice. Most improved score from their personal past stats gets rewarded each practice. Over 8 weeks (2x a week training) here are the results for each child on team (these are stats for any surface ..so mostly thighs and feet). I've encouraged to juggle at home but I honestly only thing 1-2 boys are doing anything away from our training. Stats from left to right are starting score (8 weeks ago), ending score (from our last practice) and their personal best (far right score). Player 1 = 4,4 7 (very big, strong, athletic player been playing a few seasons) Player 2 = 9, 13, 27 (small boy but very technical...our 1 club player on team that also plays rec. for extra playing time) Player 3 = 3, 2, 3 (1st season playing soccer/unfocused/uncoordinated) Player 4 = 2, 6, 6 (1st season playing soccer, tiny but athletic. Also plays baseball in same season as soccer) Player 5 = 4, 4, 5 (solid all around player, but not a superstar, been playing a few seasons) Player 6 = 3,4 6 (same as player 5 but a little better with his feet and dribbling) Player 7 = 3, 3, 3 (1st season playing soccer, pretty small/weak/timid but has been showing improvement) Player 8 = 7,6, 7 ( solid all around player, but not quite in my top tier of players on roster) Player 9 = 4, 9, 9 (very big strong and super-athletic. Probably my best player and has most potential to be great later on as a teen, but he rarely makes practices and games (family issues) Player 10 = 3, 6, 6 (one of my best all around players on team, been playing a few seasons) Player 11 = 3,3,3 (a big, physical, fast player and moderately athletic. been playing a few seasons) Player 12 = 1,5,5 (1st season playing soccer. Tries hard but very big and clumsy/unathletic and has serious attention issues Curious to let me know your thoughts on these juggling stats/findings. You can see I have a mix of 4 new to soccer players, 1 club player, and a bunch of players whom have 2+ seasons of soccer in them now.
I coach u12 (club) and have coached u9, 10 and 11 as well. With the little ones, I would have a competition so, for example, the person who got the most touches would win a Gatorade. Or, if they could get 10 touches (@ u10) they got a Gatorade. In my opinion, you're kind of wasting your time tracking kids' juggling. They either want to pick it up culturally or they don't. I don't know that it makes a lot of sense to treat it as if it is a super meaningful skill. Teach the basics? Sure. But I wouldn't focus on it. Buy them all hacky-sacks and they'll all get super good!
The juggling stats mean absolutely nothing. What you are coaching is mental attitude and you are teaching them how to practice independently. The meaningful issue is what will they do in the future. Two kids working on their own is par for rec. The way I put it is that the kids self-select for elite soccer. Skill improvement is directly proportional to the amount of practice. Most people are not interested or disciplined enough to play outside of an organized structure. You want them to practice on their own, teach them how to make a game of it. Make it fun. That is the attraction of hacky-sacks. Seems like play instead of work. These kids that seem obsessive about practicing--they often don't see practice as work, they see it as fun. It is the difference between kids playing jump rope and boxers jumping rope at the gym. I suggest that you use the 10 minutes time spot to teach them the 1000 touches drill starting with some ball mastery exercises. You can always "review" juggling at future practices in 30 seconds by counting how many juggles they can complete (don't start counting over at 1 after a miss and I would let it bounce sometimes on the ground 1 time between touches--serves no soccer purpose to prevent them from playing a ball on the half volley). By checking you encourage them to work on juggling on their own. It is also part of the 1000 touches drill.
I was tracking their stats mostly to encourage the ability to provide the rewards. I give out icy pops at the end of each practice, and the players who improved the most in their juggling, gets in line first to get the 1st choice at their favorite flavors before they run out. Seems to be working and very motivational as they really seem to get excited if they did best and get to be first or 2nd in line. Yes I do 1000 touch drills as well, then some dribbling, passing, SSGs and full field scrimmage most as the norm. Focus on ball skills and lots of touches and not much tactics. I think I agree with rca2 that kids self select for elite soccer (in combo with parents financial and support status). Most of the ones that go to club are very self motivated towards the game of soccer, will watch games on TV, practice at home on their own etc. Its a whole different mindset of players. So as far as the # of juggles, and lack of improvement for the most part over 8 weeks, is that about par for 9-10 year olds? I guess I was expecting to see greater improvement in their footskills over time for this younger age group.
So going off topic slightly and looking at US Player Development, I see my player #9 as a target player with potential for the top of the heap as a teen and beyond, but he looks more likely to fall behind in development because he rarely comes to practice, and misses alot of games. His family is African immigrants and they have little money, and seriously doubt they would be committed to club soccer if they can't even commit to getting their child to rec. soccer. I've been coaching for many years and seen many phenoms as young children fall out of soccer all together or drop out of the top tier of players once in HS, because of the limited commitment. Yet top basketball, baseball, football, lacrosse etc. seem to retain their star players all the way through the development system.
I guess you need to make them juggle more on their own. It is a matter of reps to get better. I have found this for my team. They love it and juggle and share their scores all the time. https://drillstars.com
Juggling at a club practice is a waste of time and money in my opinion. Juggling can be done individually on their own. But they don't get a lot of time at club and with teammates to practice so that time should be spent on fundamentals and team stuff. I guess now, if kids are having to be socially distanced, then juggling is an ok filler, but generally it's not the best use of time at club practice.
I totally agree. During a club practice coaches should focus on others things, such as tactics, endurance or passing/shooting. But as you said juggling on their own is crucial to improve the feel of the ball and get better. This can only be achieved with constant reps. That is why I have introduced drillstars.com to them. They love it and juggle on their own at home.
I agree with both of you generally, except that for the exercises that you want the players to do independently, you should first introduce it during a practice session. A good example is the 1000 Touches Workout (Dennis Mueller) a/k/a Daily Footwork Drill.
Whilst juggling is a really good skill to help a player's touch, it requires lots of dedication. If it's over done, players will lose interest. To keep their interest, use variety by practicing a different exercise each week. They'll more likely practice as it's different and they have hope of success. If they know they're the worst juggler, they'll rather give up, than try harder. Even with a different exercise, the skill can be the same. Skills are reinforced when learnt in different ways. Be careful offering tangible rewards for success. It has a short-term motivational benefit and relies on the reward. Without a reward (e.g. as they get older) or if they don't think they can get the reward, motivation fades. This demotivates those who fail and is superficial. Instead, intrinsic rewards e.g. praise and personal best work effectively long-term as the player is in control of rewarding themselves fairly. Guide them as to what 'good' looks like so they know when to praise themselves. This helps them continue praising themselves without the coaches presence, improving self-esteem. Be careful with comparison. Whilst some are inspired to beat the best player, others give up as they don't think they can catch up. I used to do regular testing and found it took too much time out of the session and slowed the tempo as well. It was also demotivating for those who could clearly see others doing better than themselves.
Hi Kim, yes I agree. During team practices obvious comparisons could create some issues. Nevertheless as a coach I try to give players opportunities to improve all the time. And I think home workouts is a great way where players can improve at their own pace. Just realized you can also create your own exercises here and share with your players Cheers, Gregor