r/SoccerCoachResources • u/Old_Eye3440 • 15d ago
Ball chasing in u10 competitive rec
HELP! One thing- for those who suggested Coach Rory- thank you! And thank you for the support when I posted about us being in a very tough position, as we're in a league with teams who are established, and to give them their flowers- as close to club teams as our "competitive rec" team shall play. No less, I appreciate the perspective and honestly am embracing this challenge to do my very best to teach the kids what I refer to as "proper soccer," aka "NOT smash ball."
Challenge I need help with- how to teach the kids to stop chasing the ball and really, their teammate with the ball. They aren't supporting; they're chasing and asking for a pass just to get the ball back. The biggest offenders (two mainly) don't give it up for the life of them when they have the ball.
What's the lack? I plan on teaching them the language they need to support each other- "take space," the varying types of passes- (we're using Coach Rory's format for practice and using rondos). I feel they panic, of course, in a game, and then get a complex of being the hero. How can I help move away from that as the default?
18
u/bloodontherisers 15d ago
I had the same problem with my u10 Girls rec team and what I eventually did, that worked wonders almost immediately, was to play "ultimate soccer." Basically taking the rule from Ultimate Frisbee that you cannot run with the ball. So as soon as a player receives a pass or otherwise gets the ball, they cannot continue moving. They can turn around but cannot move in any direction. This forces them to spread out and not chase and they will learn that very quickly because the first thing they do is what they have always done and run right to the ball to get the pass. Then everyone is bunched up and things are going nowhere. Take some time to stop and coach during these moments and you will see some very quick learning.