Youth Sport

[christaylor]

13 hours ago, FiveFootNinja said:

 

I'll find out more tomorrow as I'm meeting up with the head coach for lunch and a chat but I think it'll be fine. As far as I know we're basically going to pool all the same aged kids (and coaches) together rather than our usual separate sub-groups and run a hour of football themed fun and games each week just as a way to keep them active, socialising and interested in the game rather than lots of formal drills or pressure to attend each week. I personally will be off for at least half the summer anyway.

Yeah if it's just more of an informal kickabout I'm sure you'll be fine. After 7+ years of this now I do look forward to the break though!

 

On the mixing players of different abilities, that's something we do as standard for the majority of our training anyway, unless there's something very specific we want to try out with one squad that they might have struggled with in a previous match. We find it works really well to mix them all up during training so they all get to play with different kids, including where they might have friends that would usually play in different match squads. We do have one age group that trains in squads all the time but it feels like the players may as well be at different clubs. Appreciate though it might depend on your club's philosophy as to how you approach it.

 

 

[FiveFootNinja]

1 hour ago, christaylor said:

Appreciate though it might depend on your club's philosophy as to how you approach it.

Funnily enough this is on the agenda for the chat today! 

 

The head coach is trying to move the old club philosophy of "put all the best players in one team" to make it the best it can be as a team to a more holistic approach about player development and keeping kids in groups/social circles they enjoy playing with to keep them having fun and wanting to play the game each week. The aim is to have a sort of higher/middle/low tier ability wise, but not be so strict about it that a great player couldn't chose to play in the middle team with his mates. Then when they get older and into proper leagues the we'd see where things are at and maybe move things around a bit.

 

He also has a plan to offer an open training group which is totally casual and none team focused for any kids that still want to play on a Thursday at training but don't want to commit to the Saturday match side of things.

 

Sounds quote ambitious and I'm not sure about the detail yet, I'm sure I'll find out later.

[christaylor]

6 hours ago, FiveFootNinja said:

Funnily enough this is on the agenda for the chat today! 

 

The head coach is trying to move the old club philosophy of "put all the best players in one team" to make it the best it can be as a team to a more holistic approach about player development and keeping kids in groups/social circles they enjoy playing with to keep them having fun and wanting to play the game each week. The aim is to have a sort of higher/middle/low tier ability wise, but not be so strict about it that a great player couldn't chose to play in the middle team with his mates. Then when they get older and into proper leagues the we'd see where things are at and maybe move things around a bit.

 

He also has a plan to offer an open training group which is totally casual and none team focused for any kids that still want to play on a Thursday at training but don't want to commit to the Saturday match side of things.

 

Sounds quote ambitious and I'm not sure about the detail yet, I'm sure I'll find out later.

Yeah that all sounds like you're moving in the right direction, and in a couple of years when you do start getting into competitive leagues it definitely IS worth having streamed league squads as in my experience all leagues will be set up in divisions based on ability, but I'd definitely push for mixed training sessions. 

[ckny]

My step daughter signed for Blackpool FC tonight. Unbelievably proud of her. She only committed to football about 18 months ago after previously being involved in athletics. She attended two tryouts over the last week, the coaches said she was a sensational player and are so excited to have her join the club.

 

So, so proud. 🤩

[bradigor]

That's brilliant. Please do keep us updated on her progress. Would be inspiration for Edith in coming years

 

[bradigor]

Edith has really taken to goalkeeper training. She came home tonight full of joy, telling and showing me everything she learned today, followed by making me find YouTube videos of goalkeepers to watch. 

[Orion]

1 hour ago, bradigor said:

Edith has really taken to goalkeeper training. She came home tonight full of joy, telling and showing me everything she learned today, followed by making me find YouTube videos of goalkeepers to watch. 

 

That is great. I loved it and was the goalkeeper for my Primary and Secondary school teams but never received any actual goalkeeping training. It was bonkers back then when I think about it. It was like figure it out yourself kid.

[bradigor]

Edith has started goalkeeper training now. She loves it. 

 

 

 

She is the youngest by far there but holds her own.