Hi guys, we are starting a new season and we'll assign a new captain for our team. I'm coaching a U10 girls team in a AA league. Only 2 of 14 girls have strong soccer skills and I would say 3 are trailing the group. What would you expect from your captain? Thanks for your help
From U-10 girls (and I have to confess I don't know what an AA league is, at that age it can't have anything to do with alcohol I wouldn't think) as a ref I would expect the following from the captains (and I use the plural here because I don't think I've ever reffed or watched a match at that age where there's only been one): to come out to the centre circle giggling, to get tangled up when they all shake hands, to introduce themselves in a self-conscious manner, to ponder the coin toss as if their lives depended on getting it right, to be relieved if they called it wrong as then this cup gets taken from them, and if they call it correctly to select whichever end they were already warming up at as the end they wish to defend first and to run away in relief when I've wished all of them good luck. Let them all have a go at it. At older levels, what Big Guy said is correct. At this level, I think it's premature to expect players to bear the responsibilities he outlined.
Thanks guys for the tips. For your information, I live in Quebec city and here (province of QC) soccer is divided in 4 levels, recreational, A, AA and AAA. So playing in AA league doesn't mean nothing about alcohol but competition. First, I would expect from my captain to help coachs about pushing players to be more competitive. If I rely on what you said, it is too soon for them. Alright so, do you have any ideas on how to get them more competitive? I know it is a game but how to learn them the ''winning desire''?
I am coaching a U12 girls team. I bought a captains armband. I give the armband out to a player who did something exceptional the previous game, a good header, a good pass, exceptional defensive play. I announce who the captain will be at the practice following a game and then reannounce at the actual game just before warmup. The girls seem to really get into it. regards Kevin
A recent issue of Success in Soccer (I'm a satisfied subscriber, no connections to the publisher) had some exercises that were arranged as competitions between groups. They were things like player runs to a cone, checks back, receives a pass from a teammate and can take a shot on goal. Point for first to touch the ball, first to score a goal. Have four or five players on each team, they all get a turn at each role. You can probably do this with all sorts of things, shooting games might work best as they have the chance to see the ball hit the net, which is always a thrill. I'm at the other end of the age range from you (O-30 women), my players love these little games but I think they'd work with your U-10s very well.
My experience has been that the competitive drive is there but is surpressed in most girls. There are two factors that may play. One is the social unacceptability of aggressive behavior by girls outside of sports in our culture. Not usually a factor with boys. The other is fear of failure or ridicule, which is a common concern for both boys and girls. I think the best technique is demonstrating through positive reinforcement that aggressive behavior is socially acceptable on the playing field within the limits of the Laws of the Game. As they see other girls praised for aggressive behavior, they will begin to copy the behavior. Parental approval helps a lot too. Positive reinforcement can also reduce the fear of failure and ridicule and build self-confidence. For example, rather than criticize a player for poor execution on a shot, praise them for the effort and encourage them to continue. Criticism of poor execution discourages risk taking and stiffles creativity.