Should players 'call' for the ball?

Best way to "call" for the ball is to make a good run. Not only does the motion (a) usually lead to a better opportunity to penetrate (as opposed to standing statically, waiting for the ball to arrive, then turning and trying to penetrate), and (b) usually unbalance the defense somewhat depending on how much they are ball-watching (which is usually a lot), but (c) our vision reacts better and faster to motion than stillness, and we also react better visually than we do aurally. The ball-handler probably already has 6 other teammates telling her to "pass", along with one or two coaches, and a sideline full of parents. She should supplement her runs with demonstrative gestures as to where she wants the ball played as well.

Granted, that takes a higher order of mental and technical ability, to make appropriate runs on her part, and to make appropriate reads and passes on her teammate's part, but that's what I would think you want to be pushing for.

And they could even be runs checking into the middle to show for the ball, not just runs along the sideline. If the team is always playing along the right wing, your central midfield is probably sliding over to the right as well, and if she is all alone way on the left, there is no way at that age they will be switching the field of play over to her very often, if at all. If she checks into the middle, it will be easier to link up with her.

 

Perhaps she is on my team?

1. I know this is not a pro-level game, but if you watch one without crowds, there is a tremendous amount of talking. Sure you would like to be silent to spring a 'surprise' but that is not possible. Pro teams practice a lot to learn each others tendencies to move to areas, but adult beer league teams, you will see a lot more calling for the ball. Players should be encouraged to communicate. It sure as hell would shut me up more as a coach . When we practice passing drills, we try to have the players to call for the 'ball' or the players name.

2. Yeah the ball never gets there. They are U-10's, it is hard to string together several passes in a row. Many times players are left open and the ball never arrives. Besides your child, watch the other kids as well. They are left open.

2a. Also at this age, a player with the ball should be encouraged to dribble to goal as a first option.

3. I don't think being a lefty really matters (my son that I coach is left-footed) and sees a lot of the ball at his favored left half/def position. I have found with our team we tend to go back in the same direction the ball came from (right back into the crowd). We have practiced a lot to switch the point of attack as well as as a player being confident to turn with the ball in a different direction.

 

Good point on moving as opposed to ball watching/half-hearted calls for the ball.

 

The players should be taught to give the person with the ball information that is useful. Yelling out "ball" or "I'm open" is not useful information. The worst being calling the name of the person with the ball. Having 5-6 kids call out your name when you're in possession isn't very helpful.

What players should be taught is to say things like "support", "open on your left", or "time".

 

Good advice JoseP. Just yelling "I'm open" does not help and ends up getting you marked. I teach my players "yes, yes", "feet", "space" etc. similar to Jose. This gets reinforced in our small sided activities and games, especially not asking for the ball when you are behind a defender. As had been said many times, all good players want the ball and once you get everyone with that mentality you keep possession longer.

 

With my U10s I have them combine the verbal with a visual cue, since the skill level isn't where the player on the ball is looking up all the time.

We'll combine "Feet!" with their hands in front of them below their waist to indicate a pass to feet, and "Space!" with the hands low but held out in front of them where they want the pass to go.

There's so much chatter going on with other players, parents and other games in the vicinity that I don't think a call necessarily gives away an advantage most of the time.

 

Yell for the ball.
Tell the player with the ball where you are: left, right, behind, forward/through.
Yell for the ball.
Point to your feet or space where you want the ball played.
Yell for the ball.
Make runs away and also check to the ball in order to find space.
Yell for the ball.
Alert the player with the ball to other open players.
Yell for the ball.

 

I am sorry but I disagree with your thoughts that players should not call for the ball. Espcially at this young age, there should be as much cummunication on the field as possible. Not all has to verbal, but as players are still learning to manipulate thier body at the same time as the ball only giving visual cues is alot to ask for. The verbal cummuncation cues, the visual cummincation which leads to the action.

 

I recently attended a U10 Ajax training session in which they were working on passing and receiving technique. The start of each pattern began with the player asking for the ball with a nice Dutch "Yup!". After that, players visually read the moves and played the ball a accordingly. There is a time and place for both visual and audio cues in the game. Your daughter must learn both of them, practice both of them, and fail at both of them before she will learn when and where it is important to verbally ask for the ball and when and where it is appropriate to visual ask for a ball with a run.

 

Since we are mostly discussing U-10, I don't care if they point, call a name, say square, etc. The point is to get them to be involved reading the play and reacting, and not standing flat-footed.

I understand that they may call for the ball and will not be open. That too is learning the game.

 

Would you just leave the team already and stop complaining about the RM getting more attention and touches than your daughter?

Gee whiz.


It's like your fishing for a reason to validate your own internal feelings that your daughter is better than the RM and thus being treated unfairly by her coach. She's how old? Get over it!

 

You keep count how many goals and assists an 8-yo gets? Really?

Oh, and maybe the coach is right. Some kids that were the star one year will drop off the following. Growing up can be cruel like that.

 

Then, why did you start this thread?

You're right. Those horrible other players should have their heads up and swiveling at all times looking for your daughter on the field. How dare they ignore her!

Thanks for reaffirming to all of us what you're really getting at here.

We get it now. Your coach sucks. Your daughter is a budding superstar destined for the national team.

Right. Like I've not seen the whole "passive-aggresive" "we'll agree to disagree" "I really pity you but wish you well" bullshit on this message board. Boring.

 

How else are we supposed to know how awesome WE AS PARENTS... err, our children... are?

 

KIL
I dont want to assume but I might ask you as a parent or her as a player the same thing if I was the coach. I would want all players to be involved in the match as much as possible. The desire to be on the ball is born from being comfortable with it. If she works more at home or in training with the ball she may want to find it more often.
Sometimes relating it down to her level helps. The ball is a dog you want to keep your dog and go for walks with it as often as possible. You may let your friend walk the dog a bit but you want it back asap.
Lend the ball, to get it back.

 

Not the team, but for one individual. How did you know she was first or second? My point is, who cares?

 

Funny, I don't remember calling you names?

But, you may have noticed that I don't need to be nice to move around posts and organize threads. How I've done anything other than "call bullshit" on your story.

Again, enough with the passive aggressive double-speak. You're a grown man. If you don't like what I'm saying, ignore it or call me some more names. Either way, it's better than trying to pretend to be a nice guy.

 

"you people here"


Yep, everyone who disagrees with you is wrong - like your daughter's coach.