Ok so my daughters comp. team U-10 (I'm asst. coach) just finished their outdoor season and are now playing indoor for the winter. We had finally got them playing a steady pace with good control and a solid passing game, for their age. Now we started playing indoor and everything they worked so hard for all went out the window and they are playing boot ball. This is 6v6 on a field about half the size they played on outside and with walls, ball is only out if kicked over the wall. I realize that it is a different game but if they play like this all winter we will be starting all over again in the spring.
A good easy play is get lead ball carrier to head toward corner but be able to turn toward the box. If the player can juke a defender or bye some time. Put the ball across top box and watch the kicker score wide open. I used to do that alot until I was found out! Obiviously! I aint no girl but it worked in a slugfest...
I think this exact reason is why so many teams are moving to futsal instead of the traditional indoor with walls.
Right. Tell the girls that, even though the walls will not be considered out when the other team uses them, you want them to pretend that the walls are out in order to become better outdoor players. Next step is to send the message to your club that you would like them to change the entire indoor game next year.
Then play Futsol, but the only good thing about indoor is fitness, using the bang boards is teaching nothing. For Rec, ok, for Select, bad habits.
Ok so the coach wants them to use the walls. I try to convince him otherwise but he has the horrible gotta win attitude. During the outdoor season he hires a trainer who helped straighten that out but it is different now. The coach is not a soccer person doesn't watch/ play so he doesn't understand many of the things that I suggest.
The wall is fun part about Indoor. Why don't you recomend this? Stay of drugs and quit fellonies. Because if its in play; its got say MATH. You aren't suppose to help coach but listen to teachings. This can then help child in after practice mentalites. If you give different directions, some children will be confuse. This will cause a disturbance and they would want to stop play. That is not a good thing. It is a bad thing...
I guess it would depend on what your coach is trying to achieve with the season. Is he trying to just keep them in shape and keep touches on the ball, or is he trying to win the games. Without using the walls, you'll probably lose the game. Tactically they are an advantage. Ever hear of a give-and-go? Only in indoor can you do that with one player. But if the goal is to develop the players, the less they "depend" on the boards, the better. I agree that if you can find a facility that has indoor soccer without boards, it's better in the long run.
Thanks everyone for the input and letting me vent. Today we had practice and I think it may not be as bad as I was thinking. I had them scrimmage with the focus on control and taking time when available. I also worked in the option of dropping the ball back which was common outside but had dissappeared. During the scrimmage I was at midfield let the player know that they had the drop if they needed it, they droppped and I had a bad touch "own goal" and amazingly the other coach commended the thought. Part of the problem I think is the girls get overexcited and forget about making space for themself and taking time for good control.
I think indoor is great, esp because of the boards. The walls are fun and the best way to grow kids into great players is to make sure they have fun. Walls allow kids the chance to experiment,and that seems to be the theme of modern coaching: let the kids experiment and learn on the pitch without overcoaching from the sidelines. If a kid executes a give and go to herself, that's the first step. Then she can learn to do that WITH another teammate once she gets outside. The pace is faster and the balls run truer, but if your girls can learn to touch the ball to give themselves time indoor, they'll have eons of time when they go back outside. And ultimately, it is different, and that's a good thing. I'd give anything to be able to get my girls indoor this winter, but we don't have the indoor space without driving an hour, so I'd count your blessings.
I couldn't agree more, Val1. Both futsal and indoor have their benefits. My personal thoughts are futsal is much better suited for younger kids, say U11 or U10 and below. Indoor is a whole different game, but somewhat identifiable (is there such a word?) to soccer. What's important is this: It's the OFF Season, whatever the kids are doing should be encouraged, and hey, have a blast, while learning the traits of that "GAME". Don't pick apart the sport(indoor v futsal), don't pick apart the coaches thinking. Don't care, in the OFF season, if they win or lose. Know that the kids are getting their feet (hopefully plural) on the ball and kicking around on or of wall, out of bounds a lot or not, and having Fun. They will benefit in the long run from both and by the way, NEITHER will carry over, as far as rules (walls) are concered on to the true outdoor pitch. Just seen both over the years, and the kids have fun and work at BOTH equally hard. (that really is what's important & they stay in shape in either game) my three cents worth! Have Fun!
Plus, indoor can give kids a real shot of confidence, especially those who might struggle a bit on a bigger field. There's nothing like scoring a goal to help a U10 or U11 player feel good about herself and get re-excited about playing the game. To me, the benefits of staying in shape, getting touches and building confidence outweigh any bad habits that might creep in.
Guys, I must admit, I have to remember that my daughter was once young before as well. Indoor is a fun game to watch and play for the little ones. Im not trying to say that you sud not play indoor. My daughter did and she enjoyed it. It is a fun game for the kids to play in the winter when they cant get out on the big field. same can be said for 3v3, Futsol and just plain ole training in a Gym. However, for the select side of things, our coach told the girls not to use the bang boards, and if they did, they were to treat the ball as out. At U8/9 or even U10, I say play as you want. Have fun.