To Be Or Not To Be, Loyal That Is The Question

[sw1169]

I've been running a side for the past 3 season (U7, U8 & U9). Over the past few years I've given the players who signed on priority for signing on for the next season, only taking on new players if an existing one didn't re-sign (only 4 have left in the three season, 2 of which are back training with me!!).

This year I'm contemplating as to whether I should proceed with this policy or not. Should I continue with my current squad even though there are a few who are not developing as well as the others. Or should I hold a couple of try-out sessions during the summer with the aim of strengthening the squad but losing a few players who have been with me the last few years?

[darren_brady@msn.com]

i am having the same problem have the majority of my team for 4 seasons now but stepping up a league next year do i start the season with these players and get players in if needed or do i go out and find new players?

daz

[JCoupe]

Same here.

I know that sometimes if there are others players out there that are better and you can get them most of the time you should, but then you might have to release kids that played on the team for a couple years and now they are heartbroken. However, this could lead them to train more on there own so they can make it the following year.

I dont know, I'm kind of confused on it as well, Releasing players is one of my weaknesses / not choosing them for the team.

[74offsuit]

I would look at this 'problem' from another angle.

Your job as coach is to improve players. The only question that needs to be asked is, have I coached that player to the utmost of my capabilities?

Then make decisions on squad.

Lets imagine I got the opportunity to take Arsenal/Real Madrid/Whatever squad to play in the league I currently coach. What would be the point?

[Val]

I think you ought to keep your players. As you age, the team you'll field will need more players as you increase up to 11v11. I presume you're playing something like 8v8 right now? Hopefully you can afford to be a little pickier as your squad goes from 11-12 kids to needing 16-18.

[sw1169]

I currently have 11 signed-on players and two who just come to training.

My long term objective was to build a team which had played together for a few years, building them up ready for 11 a-side (currently playing 7 a-side). Hoping that by then while other teams were losing or swapping their players we'd have a strong nucleus of players only needing two or three to add to our squad.

I would fall on the 'be loyal to your players side' where my assistant falls on the 'lets get some fresh players in'

At the moment 'loyal' is winning, unless anyone can convince me otherwise??

[Jerzy]

It depends on why you coach. If you're coaching because you want to build a team and you love soccer and you want to win it all in 7 years, go for the add-some-fresh-players approach. If you're coaching because you love kids, and soccer is a fun way to be with kids, then go loyal. I'd hope you were of the latter bent, but good coaches who do like being with their kids make up the former, as well.

[mcolwell1959]

I am at under 10 level and we are coming up to the end of another successful season, the third in a row. I like to bring in at least 3 new players every year and replace natural wastage or just not re sign the weaker players or the non triers/bad attenders. Lat year it was natural wastage with 3 boys leaving but hte year before i cut two ot three. The point about why you coach is all important here. I like everyone to play every week and so i rotate 11 squad mebers in 7 a side matches. But they have to be up to it in terms of effort and skill development, otherwise they let down the others and they do nor develop. Go out to win but not at all costs, insist on effort and attendance at training and matches, bond the etam and motivate them to do their best and you will have success. Just becasue someone is not so good now they may be in a couple of years time when they have developed physically and emotionally. I have seen this on a number of occasions. I go to 11 a side next season so i need to attract more players ad so will not have the issue of cutting them, which will be nice.