By distantfan - 9 May 2011 7:37 PM
A few years ago, Paul Cooper an English community coach became concerned that kids couldn’t develop their football skills without the supervision of adults. He set up an organization called ‘Give us back our game’. If you accept his analysis then part of our 'coaching' is basically provided a safe environment to allow children to run their own casual kickarounds, as often as possible.
The following quotes from Paul Cooper give an insight into his thinking:
A recent study by Liverpool John Moores University found that “The Youth Academy players that went on to attain professional scholarship status at 16 years of age had accumulated significantly more hours in football specific playful activities (street football/free-play) between the ages of 6 and 12. This was in addition to their normal Academy training
Should we be looking to condition more structured club session games to try and recreate some of these constraints that appear in street football/free-play?
http://gubog.blogspot.com/
As coaches we should be concerned that 'the beautiful game' is in decline. Football for children is now very different from earlier generations when the only adult involvement was a call from your mum that your tea was ready. Football is no longer beautiful for our kids anymore: it's ugly.
In a world where children can no longer play outside without supervision, parents and coaches have taken over. And the competitive drive adults bring to the game means youngsters no longer have time to fall in love with football, to play for fun and thus truly to develop their skills.
Today's children learn from the grown-ups. Without the freedom of the streets and playing fields, their early experiences of football are organised, supervised and coached. They have no real say in what happens, and they don't have time to develop, learn and fall in love with the beautiful game.
We at Give Us Back Our Game feel that the problem areas are
• Football is no longer the children’s game - it is controlled by adults;
• Often, the same children are on the sidelines as subs or omitted every game;
• Coaches and parents can too often be seen screaming from the touchlines;
• Winning is prioritised before fun and development;
• There is not enough free play where children can solve their own problems;
We need a game that is both child and player centred where children can be children, have fun and express themselves.
"I fully support the 'Give us back our game' campaign. It is about letting children be children and having fun. We have started to play 4v4 games at the under 9s age group in the Academy, and not only has it improved their skills and insight but the children, coaches and parents love it. During a break between games one of the teams said 'We want to swap positions'. We say, 'You decide for yourselves, it is your game'. They love having the responsibility to make their own decisions both on and off the pitch. It makes them better all round footballers and develops their communication and social skills." David Godley - Watford FC Academy
http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/newsletter22.htm#
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By General Ashnak - 11 May 2011 10:28 AM
Decentric wrote:General Ashnak wrote:
I recommend you call a parental meeting and lay down the ground rules for them. Some of them may not get it but try and let them know as strongly as possible with out being confrontational that they are there to provide support to their kids without providing advice.
Also as a visual aid you should bring along a pair of kids sized boots and shin pads and when you have an over exuberant parent go up to them with them and ask them if they fit because they obviously want to be out there playing.
I have my teacher hat on. You really should be coaching juniors, GA. You would have a lot to offer in terms of being a good role model. (':d Edited by Decentric: 10/5/2011 06:25:12 PM
Cheers Decentric, that is my plan - at the moment I just teach kids Sunday School but am looking to start doing the FFA coaching pathway later this year and depending on how I am led may stop Sunday School.
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