First 5 minutes

[Dazza]

Hi Guys

I'm new to this forum, I coach a U8 team in New Zealand, who have just had 3 games together.

I have a team that is a bit behind the rest of the grade in development, so we've been working hard on ball skills. And passing and receiving.

But, every game we've played so far we've let in a couple of easy goals in the first five minutes. To the teams credit, each time we've clawed our way back into the game, and although we haven't won a game yet, the guys have been able to compete.

I'm wondering if there is some warm-up I should be looking at to switch them onto defending strongly at the start. Or if I should start with a more defensive formation?

[74offsuit]

I would not change formation specifically as a reaction to other teams. I think it sends the wrong message.

It sounds like a confidence issue. Try to get your team to impose themselves on the game, and not wait to react to the opposition. tell your players to make things happen.

For example, tell a midfielder 'I'm looking for a good tackle in the first minute (of the first half). If he makes that tackle it can have a huge benefit to the momemtum of the team. Remember to praise that player at half time for the achievment.

I like to warm up with lots of ball work. You could try a 4 v 2 drill in a grid apprx 20yd X 20yd. The two defenders try to win the ball from the four attackers who attempt to retain possession.

[tony75]

Progress your warm up so it's more competitive and at match pace right before the match. you could start with free play as many touches as poss, then 4 touch, and 3 touch, with a 1 touch finish on a goal. Get them focused. As such after 3 games, it'll take time for the players to adapt, so make sure their enjoying their games, and your efforts to make them better players and people.

[mcolwell1959]

I always like to do a 25 minute pre match warm up. Start with aerobic exercise and then working with the ball, dribbling or passing for 5 - 7 mins; then SSG with restrictions in grid 40 x 30, such as limited number of touches or restricted to certain areas of the grid etc for 10-12 mins; then shooting/finishing routines with some restriction, i.e shoot with weaker foot (warms the keeper up as well) for 5 to 6 mins. Thne have a 1 -2 minute chat on how to play as a team and key points and then let them go straight in to the game.

I've coached younger players for some years and have always found such a warm up superior to what i see others do.

[Dazza]

Thanks for the reply guys. They were very helpful.

I'm doing the warm up a little different, ending with a SSG 5-10minutes before the game, seems to help. I've got 3 kids who turn up just before the game, which makes it difficult, they're first subs.

Also, I realised that they didn't understand their job. Once they got used to the idea that the closest player slows the attacker, while the next closest provides cover, it all looked a lot more solid.

[tony75]

Considering their u8, and will not play for that long a 25 min warm up is useless. Short warm-up, lots of variety to keep it fun, competitive element, lots of jokes and fun.

[Val]

Originally Posted by mcolwell1959

I always like to do a 25 minute pre match warm up. Start with aerobic exercise and then working with the ball, dribbling or passing for 5 - 7 mins; then SSG with restrictions in grid 40 x 30, such as limited number of touches or restricted to certain areas of the grid etc for 10-12 mins; then shooting/finishing routines with some restriction, i.e shoot with weaker foot (warms the keeper up as well) for 5 to 6 mins. Thne have a 1 -2 minute chat on how to play as a team and key points and then let them go straight in to the game.

I've coached younger players for some years and have always found such a warm up superior to what i see others do.

It's taken me a while, but I really do see a pre-game routine as being important. I failed to do this with my team this year, and it was our biggest failing. A routine like mcolwell suggests takes a while to inculcate into your team, so start with it the first thing. Maybe it would help your team take practice seriously if they do the same things as they do game days.

[Cookie]

I only ever have a 15-20 minute warm up maximum for this age group. Start slowly getting them moving and adding dynamic stretches and progressively increase the tempo and play some competitive 3 v3 or 4 v 4 games for your last 5 minutes.

You need to lay down the law about being at the warm-up on time, kids that don't arrive in time should not be starting games unless squad numbers dictate otherwise - even though it is the parents responsibility to ensure they do get there on time.

As for conceding goals early, it may have nothing to do with the warm-up period or intensity but due to any number of things such as tactics, formation, ability etc.

Do you ever record match stats of how the goals were conceded? From open play, throws, corners etc.?

[Dazza]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Cookie, I think you might be right, warm-ups could be a small part of it. We're going into games warm now and holding the opponents out for 3-5 minutes, before letting a soft goal in. An opponent will dribble the ball through 2 or 3 players from open play and score. They'll defend well for small periods and then let a soft goal in.

I think we also have difficulty getting the ball out of defense to the attacking third, and so spend more time, than I'd like, defending.

A few things to work on eh?

[Cookie]

Originally Posted by Dazza

Thanks for the reply guys.

Cookie, I think you might be right, warm-ups could be a small part of it. We're going into games warm now and holding the opponents out for 3-5 minutes, before letting a soft goal in. An opponent will dribble the ball through 2 or 3 players from open play and score. They'll defend well for small periods and then let a soft goal in.

I think we also have difficulty getting the ball out of defense to the attacking third, and so spend more time, than I'd like, defending.

A few things to work on eh?

To be honest, I'd quit worrying about the result, or the goals conceded, and just look for progress week by week. They are, after all, only 7 years old. Just praise them for all the good things that they start to do - be it a pass, a tackle, great position, a shot at goal etc. and you'll soon seem them improve.

It takes a long while, or a good squad of players, before they start to keep a good shape and learn about decision making for themselves. So long as you empower them with the right to make those decisions, you'll see a great team develop given time.

I've watched lots of U7 and U8 teams where one player dominates because he is very skillful. The team learn to play by passing to the one decent player and they then run up a cricket score and go home happy because they won. But this to me is not developing the team, and teams like this are normally overtaken within a few years by sides who learn good technique on the ball, and also the benefit of passing.

Just keep working on technique, every week, and you will end up being the team that everybody dreads playing. Trust me, it worked for my U8's.