A Youth Soccer Magazine

Teach your players to become 'total' soccer players!
Editorial by Coach Karl Dewazien

FUNdamental Question:

Koach Karl,
I am coaching an U8 boys team with 1/2 that are very athletic and 1/2 that are not as athletic. Skills and knowledge vary as well. My nagging question is when and how to teach and play positions. We currently play 7 players - one goalie one defender and the rest play offense - pretty much a "free for all." We played a team last week that was very disciplined and played positions.

I have been told by another coach of a select team that positions should not be played at this age.

What is your opinion?
Coach Tom

FUNdamental Reply:

Coach Tom,

To help you resolve your dilemma ask yourself the following questions:

1. Can my players:

'Look' - Read the Game?

'Move' - With and without the ball?

'Bring the ball under control' - Under tight marking?

'Keep the ball under control' - In most vs. 1 situations?

'Release the ball under control' accurately over short distances - under pressure?

'Release the ball under control' accurately over long distances - under pressure?

If you said NO to any of the above questions - then your players are not ready to play in positions. (period)

I'm attaching a more detailed article on my opinion on young players and positioning. I hope your responses to the above questions and the article will persuade you to work on the Basics before focusing on the tactics!

In due time they will be ready for the adult game and their responsibilities according to ball possession and player position ---at that moment!

If I can be of further assistance - just let me know.

Your FUNdamental Koach,
Karl

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Your children, must first learn, that the ball 'never gets tired' that will happen in about 2 years. Until they figure that out they will follow the ball - they want to be where the action is...besides, they know they will not be on the video screen if they are not around the ball.

Second, the must have confidence in their teammates ability to handle the ball. That is the players must have pretty good attacking skills.

Third, they must have confidence in their teammates ability to take the ball away from the opponent, that is the players must have pretty good defending skills.

No confidence, no technique -NO positioning! and that is a Fact!

Positioning at these ages should be your last concern - allow the children to play the game in their own understanding. Besides soccer is not like any American sport - we need to develop 'total' players...for whenever a player receives the ball they become the quarterback of the team - or when they lose the ball they most become the best defender on the team...

Teach your players to become 'total' soccer players which means: Our ball - ALL players think and act like an attacker - GO for goal to score!

Their ball - ALL players think and act like a defender - Get the ball back -so that we can go to goal and score!

Technique before Tactics...Tactics before Positioning!

Should you have any further questions - Please let me know!

Your FUNdamentalKoach,
Karl Dewazien

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