Question Number: 24934

Character, Attitude and Control 5/12/2011

RE: rec Under 10

Gail of McHenry, IL USA asks...

Hi, this is my son's first year playing soccer on a team where it's the coaches first year also. (blind leading the blind) Anyway, we keep getting KILLED (8-0) (6-0)ETC... The coaches will tell my son to stay in this spot and he stays there. The game completely going on around him but he's in that spot. They have it set up as a goalie and two kids in front of him a bit and then two more kids in front of them but up a bit. When my son is on defense and just right of the goalie, how far can he run? Can he defend the ball all the way to the halfway line? So my question is how far can each kid go, what's their area? Could you also maybe send me a link showing how far kids can go in each position? Obviously, I don't know the position names or anything so if you can make this as fundamental as possible i'd appreciate it. I've been google'ing soccer positions but I haven't found anything about how far can a player in a position go. It's SUPER hard to watch your kid get creamed every Saturday morning and the coaches aren't coaching. This is all very sad. So if you could help, that would be great.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gail
Geez do I hate how the game gets complicated for U 10s. Kids should not be coached positions or restrictions placed on them at this age. They should be simply allowed to play, run do whatever they want to with the ball. There should be no restriction on where they should be but rather express themselves, do whatever they want. The game is about having fun and fun is playing with the ball. Children have a need to move. Why restrict them particularly when its no working anyway.
I was fortunate growing up in that we played soccer in the school yard and on the street. We had no adults giving us instructions and we simply played. The game was about getting the ball and trying to score. No positions. As we got older the game became more formal and positions then became more important and by that stage players had a desire to be a forward or a defender. As the field of play got bigger it was not possible to run everywhere so the positions needed to be narrowed down.
The game is not about the score at this age level. As long as the kids are having fun, running, exercising that is what it is about. They don't need instruction, they need stimulation. I would recommend to your son's team coach Horst Wein's book Developing Youth Soccer players. If he adopts the principles espoused in that it will make for altogether a much more enjoyable experience for all. I also came across this video which is helpful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02AaZEMsMYs

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If you took your son to see the Chicago Fire play an MLS match, you would see defenders ranging the entire length and width of the field. Sometimes they were overlap the forwards and attack. Sometimes they would race into the opponent's penalty area during a corner kick, trying to head the ball in the goal. Most of the time, they would be between the opponent and their goal and between the ball and their goal. But, they would never be fixed in a spot.

At U10, these professionals probably were all playing like a swarm of bees circling the ball. They also got creamed their first year. It takes time and experience, and good coaching, to gain tactical awareness.

The most important lesson for you son, however, is that the games are fun. No one. No one remembers any games they played at age 10. If they learn to love to play the game, everything else will follow. My daughter picked flowers her first season. One of my sons spent most of his time taking the ball away from his teammate. We used to shout, "Go, Tony go. No, Adam, no."

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Gail. Short answer is unless restricted by local regulations, every soccer player is allowed anywhere on the field. You don't need a reference. It's common knowledge.

But sounds like the coach has something in mind. As ref Wickham says at U10 you usually see every player surrounding the ball. Maybe your coach is trying to get your players to stay in certain areas which will benefit them later. Only problem with that is, if it's no fun, the kids may quit.

Suggestion, talk with the other parents. Get a consensus. Then appoint 2 parents to very politely and respectfully talk to the coach to get feedback. Remember, these U10 coaches not only are not well versed in soccer, they also are not paid and are giving of their time efforts and many times money.

My kids U10 coach was terrific. He tried to teach them soccer but always made it fun. Getting your butt kicked is no disgrace. Not always fun but part of sports and of life. Your and your coaches goal should be for the kids to have fun