End of Season Report from England

[Aman GrewalParticipant]

We’ve used the 3four3 framework with a group of U12 boys in England (playing 9v9). It’s been a rocky road. We are a team of small players, but last season we won 20 out of 24 matches by defending deep then kicking long to some pacey and talented forwards. I’m not sure we put together a 6 pass play all last season.

So this season we went for it and tried to get the team controlling the game. Like a lot of grassroots (rec??) teams in England we get to train only once a week largely due to a lack of facilities – we’re using grass pitches and clubs restrict their use otherwise they become mud pits. Lack of funding means there’s limited access to astro pitches. On top of that, school commitments take priority and our turnout at training is usually 9 or so players out of a squad of 14.

Despite that, we now regularly string together 6+ pass plays, we have scored more goals than everyone but the top team in the league, but we have also conceded the most in the whole league and lost more games than last year.

For anyone coaching grassroots in England, here are my learnings:

• Training once a week means you are going to make a lot of mistakes on match day. Errant back passes, players panicking under pressure, giving the ball away in the penalty box – it’s all going to happen. Every game. It’s going to take several months to turn the corner.
• The pitches will drive you mad. Young players can’t learn to pass if they have mud up to their ankles or a puddle the size of the center circle to play through.
• Trying to transform a successful kick and chase team will make you unpopular. In kick and chase teams the best players tend to play up front. They love the feeling of running onto a long ball and scoring from one in ten of their chances. When you take that away you are going to have a minor rebellion on your hands.
• You’ll have a battle getting good ball players into the defensive line. Everyone wants to pull on the number 10 shirt. Suggesting they try shirts 2 to 6 will be like calling them donkeys. But boy do you need good passers in those shirts.
• There will be discipline issues. English kids don’t like to conform. That’s probably why we produce so much good music. But it’s a total pain for teaching pattern play.
• Don’t hold your breath for a backwards pass. Players have had it instilled in them to always play forwards. Train it as much as you like, on match day most of your players will perceive a low probability forward pass as less risky than a controlled backwards pass. Getting them to change will be like trying to get them to write with their other hand.
• The parents will get irate. Everyone watches and dissects the Premier League. They have pundits like Robbie Savage talking up the benefits of aimlessly clearing the ball. So when your team pass backward or (heaven forbid!) pass the ball through their own penalty box there will be a LOT of shouting from the touchline.
• Your opponents will love you. Instead of engaging them in heavyweight jungle ball, you’ll make the game attractive to watch. Some of your opponents will start to pass the ball too. Their coach will be delighted. Their parents will shake your hand.
• It will be worth it. For the moments it comes together, you’ll not care about all the crap you took. Here’s a couple of minutes from our last match:

• This topic was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by  Aman Grewal.

[Ryan MatteucciParticipant]

Thanks for sharing, Aman. I enjoyed the quick write-up on your challenges, but your video shows your team moving in a very positive direction. It seems like you deserve to practice your craft on more than just a single grassroots team that practices once/week. Hopefully you get more opportunities soon!

[Aman GrewalParticipant]

Thanks Ryan – that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m moving to another club where we are pulling together a new U13 team – we’ll train twice a week and set the culture from day one (I’ve watched Brian’s day one video a few times now!).  The standard is a little lower – but I’m confident we’ll see results with a stronger team ethic.

The season starts in September – and I’ll be sharing much more video to track our progress. Wow this stuff is addictive!

I saw the U9 video you put on your twitter feed. Looks like you guys are making good progress

[Porter Garrison-TerryParticipant]

Aman,

 

Nice work.  I couldn’t imagine any recreational sides here playing at that standard.  Keep it up!

[Aman GrewalParticipant]

Thanks for your support Porter!

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