A good game for that 4-5 year old age group is "Ouch!" Players dribble their ball while coach roams among them. They try to kick (pass) the ball trying to hit your leg(s) with it. When one of their passes does, pretend it hurts a lot and shout "Ouch!", grab your ankle or fall to the ground and get up again and continue. The kids will love it and laugh. But be warned some of the more aggressive ones might try to just kick you in the leg without a ball. It's fun for them and it helps teach kicking a ball to a moving target.
While I can't speak for most clubs (I'm new to this), last season my club did a short drill or two (dribbling through gates for U8, passing and 1v1 for U9/U10), then broke up into small sided games. Coaches were asked to concentrate on the games, and pick boys/girls who were gamers. So, as MLSinSTL said, being aggressive and working hard will go along way. That being said, you're going to be a step older than what I've really worked with. I'm sure my club will still concentrate on playing small sided games for the try-outs, but my guess is passing, off the ball movement, and reading the game start to be more important than working hard. I'd say, best thing is to just try to put him at ease and try to get him to go play and have fun. Maybe see if there's a local club a friend plays for.
I don't want to project myself onto anyone else. But I've actively attempted to get guest rec players in to practice with my club team. I'd love to have a rec players/parents come to me and ask to come out and join us for a practice or two (granted, other coaches may not feel the same way, but it certainly won't hurt to ask).
Thanks to you and the others that responded. Fight/aggressiveness is a major weakness for my son right now. He's way too timid. I'm working on getting him to fight me for the ball a lot lately and will continue to until the end of month tryouts. He's decent at hitting a sharp 10 yard pass with both feet, can keep the ball close and a decent speed in a straight line. We're working on direction changes, turning into space and movement. I've reached out to 4 local clubs, UA Soccer Club, Santos, Ohio Premiere and Oranje Raptors. I've heard back from the first 3. Signed up for Santos and OP tryouts. The UASC tryouts overlap with OP and they currently don't have any boys teams so they're likely out. So, it looks like Santos and OP. The woman I spoke to from Santos emphasized the foreign coaching, Jamaica and Barbados, I didn't know how to respond to that without snark so just let it lie. David Winner and Billy Thompson are the boys coaches with OP. So, there's that. UASC has the lowest cost structure, the other 2 are about the same. I figure we'll go to the first day of tryouts for OP and Santos and if things look really poor for us based on comparing how he does to the others, I'll switch to UASC for day 2 instead of OP since UASC only requires 1 day while the others suggest both but allow just 1. Anyway, this ought to be fun month of May.
This was me all the was through the U-littles to high school in soccer. I had decent skills, but if it was a 50/50 ball and you made a play for it it was yours. I was easily muscled off the ball especially in crowded midfield situations. I became a fast overlapping winger with a wicked left cross specialist. It didn't change until too late to help my soccer career, bit what did it was Kung-Fu. Once I had confidence in myself and was comfortable and confident in my own skin and most importantly no longer 'afraid' to mix it up and get hurt, I was a much much better player in rec. Obviously , not any quick fix in time for your son's tryouts, nor is martial arts the only means to that end, and I'm clearly projecting and filling in gaps with my own assumptions, but maybe think outside of soccer ways to boost his overall confidence and find ways to make him get more aggressively physical to learn that he can handle the situation and also the pain of collisions isn't nearly as bad as what's in his head. I've often said man if I could take my mentality now and put it in my kid to teen body, maybe I could have at least gotten to the college level. Sometimes it's a mental thing. And sometimes the answer to getting over it isn't on the field.
Had a great season of U7 Girls soccer! Really enjoyed this thread this Spring. My girls have now won the last two Championships in their Division! Now on to summer break where I try to find ways for my daughter to keep playing!
So today was picture day for my team. It also was a little rainy. We received an email from the director that if we wanted to cancel the game, then we should discuss it. I noticed all other teams showed up. Except the team we were supposed to play. No discussion from the other coach. Apparently that coach decided to cancel the game and just show up for pictures. Well I would like to call that coach every name in the flipping book. I will wisely refrain. However, I am not sure if I should just let it go. That action was rude and unprofessional (two things I cannot stand). Thoughts? Oh - My kids had a blast. Practice went well (I threw in a new game). Then we did some scrimmages on the full length of that little field (changing up sides every couple goals, ended with six versus me). They loved it. We were moving about the whole time. At the end, I had them run over to their moms, give them hugs, and say “happy mother’s day.” It was cute.
Congrats Let it go. "My kids had a blast. They loved it. We were moving about the whole time." This should be your focus in my opinion. Assume the best intentions from the other coach until they prove otherwise ... and then, still let it go. The director's intentions were probably well intentioned but should have just made the call ... play or don't. Otherwise you end up in these situations. My preference is to plan to play and let the refs/coaches make the call (if needed) at the fields. Anyway, life is too short to let the action's of others affect your mood and possibly affect your time with the kids. Judging from your recap of the training, you already know this and did the right thing. All that being said ... yes, you have the right to be upset about it. It would bother me as well. Hope you had a great Mother's Day in any event.
A long time member here who has coached about 15 years of youth soccer between my five kids and my nephew, and I have since returned to officiating. I’m just seeing this thread and it is very encouraging in a couple regards... I remember Chelsey as a member here from way back, and it is fun to see you two discuss many of the fun challenges those years brought. Well done to both of you. The time you spend with your kids sharing a game you love will help you build irreplaceable memories, even if they never love soccer like you do... it still will be cherished by you and your children for years to come.
So, this last month I'd say my son has touched a soccer ball more than he has in his entire life leading up to that point. We were finishing up his rec league season, and working on some quick feet drills in the basement and in the driveway on most other days. I also took both kids to a Crew game when some extra tickets were available from my group. That used to bring some groans of boredom, but both kids sat in their seats and watched a good portion of the game. They were also excited to hear I have tickets for them Saturday. They might be coming along as fans. We had our first "try out" last night for Ohio Premier, directed by Crew Legend Bill Thompson. The boy did alright, but he's behind the majority of the other kids. It sounds like because of the U-11 turnout of 35 boys that they won't be making any cuts and forming 3 full teams for 9v9 competition with 11 or 12 on each team based on overall skill. We're doing a tryout for Santos tonight, though I suspect after watching both an OP and Santos practice that I'm going to choose OP for him based on the coaching and overall philosophy. I'm hoping all this brings him out of his shell a bit and he finds some joy in it. For a year to find out, I think it's worth the cost and time investment. The best part about OP is they practice a 4 minute walk from my house.
For passing practice, I had the kids run over to a family member and have them come onto the practice space and pass with the player. That was a huge hit. I will be doing that again this weekend (our last practice/game for the spring). I am being mildly selfish this summer. Since Green does not have soccer for four year olds over the summer (and I did not look into any other local organization), we are taking the summer off. I have already registered him for fall soccer (volunteering again to be the coach). Though I might switch off with my husband to let him officially step in. It is tough when we both would not mind coaching, but we also have another little one that needs us. Grandparents help, but we tend to not always assume their reliability. Please join in on the discussion! And try not to rat me out on some of my earliest posts on here. At that time, I was a young adult after all! This kid turned out all right. I know two other kids that will be at Saturday's game (and all games this season for that matter).
Sounds encouraging that touches are up yes? Hard to beat quick access to training. I would say that you will be fine with either cub you mention (Santos/OP). I have seen quality sides from both organizations. Comes down to personal preference AND your son's comfort level at each club. Enjoying the process (training/teammates/coaches) plays a large role in staying committed to the process (love of the game). Excellent! Here's another for the parents - Bring a beach towel or 2 to training. Get 2 volunteer parents to become your "goal" They each hold an end of the towel and walk around the training space forming a small "goal". They are the moving "goal" and your kids must dribble (or shoot) thru the goal to score. How many can they get in 2-3 minutes? Add a second pair of parents for a 2nd moving goal. Modify: Kids can only shoot or dribble thru goal from behind the parents (or from the front). Change the pace from walk to brisk walk, to light jog. Have the parents start making turns and/or change directions more frequently. Gradually make the drill more challenging as the kids adapt to the exercise. Of course you must end this drill with a limbo competition between the parents and kids! OK, the parents may not like you too much if you make them "limbo" ... but the kids will LOVE you for it!
For the last 5 minutes of our practice (end of the year) we had kids versus parents. Kids had 5 minutes to score 1 goal and parents had to simply stop them. These were U7 Girls so they are still are working on passing/positioning off the ball plus they outnumbered us (and were properly dressed). If the kids scored...they got ice cream. If the parents held them off...the kids had to clean their rooms that night. Needless to say the parents were properly motivated.
Hey guys. I think my son likes soccer. For his Pre-K graduation, all of the kids put on paper what they want to be when they grow up. I saw this paper when we dropped him off today. The cook at the preschool must have been cutting onions early.
Listen. The idea of preschool graduation seems silly. I get it. The reality of it as a parent was that my eyes could not stop... watering.
Fall Season kicked off today with the Target Cup in Ontario (Mansfield). Love seeing kids having a blast playing. Wanted to share this warm up we did today. All three fields were being used so I had to mark off a little box with cones for warm up. It was like practicing on a postage stamp (so a little more room than a NYCFC Game) Started with our 9 girls passing one ball in the rectangle. Rules were everyone is on your team but me, and noone should be standing still ever. As we went through the drill I added soccer balls to the box and had 4 at one time going. Next I had everyone pick a cone around the box and stand by it. I had them walk clockwise around the outside of the box, then jog, then funny walk, then run. There were lots of giggles, but they were able to get their heart rates up and ready in spite of the small area we had to work with. As soon as we finished this the game before us finished, and we had to immediately begin the game. The other team had done no warm up at all. 4-1 to the good gals. Good luck to all the other parent-coaches in Crewville! Have a fun season!
Have fun! Markus’ season starts in a few weeks. We are about to embark on both coaching the team (my husband basically did that last season without the title or shirt). Navigating these growing schedules seems daunting at times. I tip my hat to all of you bustling parents.
Concur--I had enough trouble negotiating my coaching schedule back in the day, and Mrs KG and I didn't even have kids (co-coaching with a buddy who had a kid on the team).
Here is one I had to share since I think you guys will get a kick out of it! All it you do is play soccer with an exercise ball instead of a soccer ball. My son came up (on his own) with the perfect name for this game too! "Big Soccer"
I could see myself trying to kick that ball and bouncing off.... I will have to try it at some point as I think Mrs KG has a ball like that.
Coached my first U6 game over the weekend, my youngest is 4 and a half, my question is it's 4 v 4, I set up my players 2 forward, 2 defend. but with it being the "amoeba ball" at lot of the time the ball and everyone but my two defenders are on the other side of the field. Do I enocurage my defenders to stay back or get them in the mix?