Best Training Focus at Younger Ages

[Guest]

Would love some feedback from those that have gone from U9 to seeing what really works 4-5+ years down the line in their kids in 9v9 and 11v11. Did you ever switch clubs bc of their training focus too.

Every team/club at younger ages has different coaches and approaches to building a team and developing their skills for years down the road. I have seen a lot, but it would be interesting to see what really works at younger ages and down the line.

1. Teams that don't pass, kick the ball and eventually the one or two girls on the team get it and score. Usually win at younger ages
2. Teams that focus on passing patterns, field position, but lack actual technical skills and can move the ball to score. Usually win at younger ages.
3. Teams that focus on footwork, 1v1 in games, skills, passing with no real predetermined pattern/play. Continual work in progress, struggle against 1 and 2 above.
4. Other.......

[Guest]

Individual development should be the priority. By 6th/7th grade best to get on a team that focuses on bullet point 2 and continue with outside training for individual development. In my area SJEB does the best job with individual development at young ages for girls.

[Guest]

Individual development is a loaded definition. More simply, development on the ball versus off the ball is more critical at younger ages.

[Guest]

Aside from playing club ball, you should prioritize futsal along with speed and agility in a fun, competitive setting at younger ages. Futsal builds technical skills, ball control, and decision-making in tight spaces. That foundation makes players comfortable on the ball as they grow into 9v9 and 11v11. Plenty of good futsal training out there but RSGM and maybe proskills is the best in SJ. A Game for N Jersey.

[Guest]

What is your goal? Are you really trying to build a professional athlete? More often than not, the over-analysis of the the 'optimal' path is wasted energy (and money).

Look at the handful of options in your area, see what works best. Evaluate changes as needed. Enjoy the ride.

[Guest]

At 8 years old they should just be out side dribbling and juggling. Both Cone drills no cone drills just get out there and get touches on the ball. They don’t need private trainings. Clinics also aren’t bad, but there is so much content on the internet, it should be very easy to put together 30 minutes a day with the ball at feet.

kids at 8 who can get a good grasp of ball mastery with consistent work over the next few years will be light years ahead of 12 year old kids who were just bigger and faster at a younger age.

[Guest]

There isn't any specific goal. I just see the various approaches and was wondering if the outcomes down the road were vastly different from anyone's experience.

[Guest]

This isn’t quite the question you are asking but at the young ages, when choosing a program, consider:

What does the coach do when the team is losing or in a tight game. Do they revert to kick and run? Do they overly rely on speed and size at young ages? Do they rotate positions? What does coach say/do when kids make mistakes? Do the same kids do all throw ins, corner kicks, etc.?

A good program strikes a balance of teaching kids to exploit space, maintain possession, while also encouraging creativity and independent decision making (coach doesn’t instruct every move). They should be willing to accept losses to teach these skills.

the above can be near impossible to find…SO, if possible, find group training where your kid is tested at game speed and pressure against kids of similar or better ability.

[Guest]

Individual development is a loaded definition. More simply, development on the ball versus off the ball is more critical at younger ages.

Yes - that’s my personal definition. I get it could be loaded, but that’s what I meant saying it