The success of the England football team in qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil is sure to spark a great deal of interest in. This is the pinnacle of the game. But at Grassroots, thousands of people look to make football fun and enjoyable for hundreds of thousands of children every week.
Attention is often drawn to examples of bad practice that occur in junior football, but the vast majority of Grassroots games pass without incident. At the East Lancashire Football Alliance (ELFA) we have had great success in the past four years with our mini-soccer games, both from creating an environment that children, coaches and parents can enjoy, and reducing the number of unsavoury incidents that happen.
The key to this has been the 'buy in' from all concerned. When ELFA introduced the idea of playing games inside at Blackburn Soccer Dome (BSD) for u7s, it was a radical step forward. Without the 'buy in' of coaches and parents we could not have achieved the success we have. We are now in our fourth year of playing
mini-soccer inside from ages u7-u9. During that time we have not had one football related incident of Respect bad practice at BSD.
At ELFA we strongly believe that 'buy in' is the way forward for many football related initiatives. The overwhelming majority of people involved are volunteers. There are only so many measures that can be taken before people walk away from the game. Friction and confrontation are not the way. Getting people to pull together, to 'buy in' is.
We are seeing 'buy in' now in many different forms. More and more coaches are 'buying into' the idea that it might not be best to do a running commentary throughout the game. "Don't play the game for them," as we say. Coaches and parents are 'buying into' the idea that referees do make honest mistakes and without supporting them we will have no game.
The idea of 'buy in' has extended this season to a new initiative from the FA - the Retreat Line. The concept is to try to get our teams to play out more from the back. So at mini-soccer the team without the ball retreats back to the half way line when a goal kick is taken. With 'buy-in' from mini soccer coaches ELFA trialled this last season with great success. It is now an FA rule, and whilst
there has been much discussion about this on social media, ELFA coaches at BSD are once again taking this on board and making it work. To see an u8s team play two or three passes out fro the back is a joy to see.
For all the media hype that we can expect about the coming World Cup, the true heart and soul of the game in England can be seen on playing fields up and down the country every Saturday and Sunday morning. If everyone 'buys in' to the idea of making football enjoyable for all, the national game will continue to thrive.
IF COACHES AND PARENTS 'BUY IN' WE CAN MAKE FOOTBALL FUN
Peter Thornton
(East Lancs Football Alliance)
One-Two Magazine - November, 2013
NEWS
Through age appropriate coaching and our player development pathway, from Tots (3-5yrs) through to Infants (5-8yrs) and Juniors (8-11), our aim is to develop players who, by the end of the programme, excel in all 5 aspects of football. Creative technical players, with good social skills, respect, a positive attitude towards practice, fast speed of movement and thoughtful strategical planning.
Our programme involves the progressive development of 65 skills from our Technical Skills Syllabus, including skills such as the The Neymar Elastic, The Ronaldo Chop, Iniesta's Drag Touch. Xavi's Inside Pass & Outside Pass. Players also receive access to our online Skills Video Library, 10% discount on our Soccer Camps plus the opportunity to purchase our adidas training kit.
To find your nearest session, information on costs and to book your child's place please visit www.sportexcoaching.com
Mark Chisholm
Head Coach
Sportex Coaching
07592497206
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