How to Coach to Win a 7v7 game

Do you want to win on game day? The overwhelming response is always, Yes!. It’s only natural who wants to lose.

Team formation, coaching tactics, and motivation tips are messages given to our players.

Now it’s GAME ON!

Recently I coached a U8 boys’ team (Sarlin Opticians) in the Larchmont Mamaroneck Football Club (LMFC), recreation league. The game was 7v7 played over four, 12 minute quarters.

I explained the starting lineup showing them from back to front a 1-2-2-2 formation (GK->Defender-> Midfielder ->Forwards). After the opening whistle, there was no specific formation. The boys were hounding the ball when they did not have it, and storming ahead when they did.

I quickly realized trying to fix them in positions was useless.

Another challenge was managing substitutions. Every player wanted to be on the field. There were complaints of ‘I want to play’, ‘Why do I have to come off?’, ‘When am I going back in?’.

Is a U8 Game Really 7v7?

Coaches far too often focus on team strategy, formation, and tactics, as a means for the team to WIN. A game of 7v7 on the field, if you exclude the 2 goalkeepers, is more 1 versus 11.

Games at this stage are more often won by the physically dominant player(s) who are either older (born earlier in the year or more skilled). Unless you are fixing players in positions, for e.g. defenders standing outside penalty box, when the ball is in the other half, tactics and formations have little impact at this stage.

When coaching young players the focus must be on individual development (skills), and not tactics for the following reasons:

1. Children are not small adults. They do not understand the formations, roles, and responsibilities performed by professional players.
2. Below 10 years of age, most children have limited perception skills and are still developing coordination skills.
3. They cannot perceive and evaluate spacing so shouting ‘spread out’ or any other command is wasting words.
4. Players are not psychologically ready to share the ball, so they bunch up. They all want to touch the toy (ball).
5. Players are egocentric, focus on their skill, the creativity that comes with running/turning/kicking the ball. Teach your players the TECHNICAL skills.

How Can You Win?

Soccer is a game that demands skill on the ball. The most important skill is dribbling/running with the ball. This improves self-confidence. This may seem contrary to the adult game, but those players developed their skills when they were young.

Are you going to lose games by focusing on their skills – maybe YES? That is what the youth game is about – PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, not winning. Your thoughts….?