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3v3•U7•Coaching & Sessions

Is there any point coaching throw-ins at U7 now?

Asked by NickS
783 views 5 replies
Genuine question because the matchday restart is pass or dribble from the side. Do you completely leave throw-ins until they get older, or is there still value in teaching the basic movement at some point because they will need it later? My instinct is we have enough useful things to coach now without borrowing problems from future age groups.

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@CoachRyanC

UEFA C Coach

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I would not spend U7 time teaching throw-ins for a matchday problem they do not currently have. Their sideline restart in 3v3 is a pass or dribble in, so I would use those moments to develop things they can apply now: looking before the restart, finding space, receiving and deciding whether to pass or carry. They will have plenty of time to learn throw-ins when that restart becomes relevant. That does not mean a child can never throw a ball in a fun activity. I just would not build a technical throw-in block because “they will need it one day”. At this age, there are far more useful football problems already in front of them than future-proofing every law they will eventually meet.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 5 replies

T

TeaAndToast

Coach

My U7s can barely remember which bib is theirs. I am comfortable leaving legal throw-in technique to future me.
N

NatAgain

Assistant Coach

The issue for me is opportunity cost. Five minutes sounds tiny until you add all the future things we could teach early. I would spend that five minutes on something they can use today.
M

MartinF

Assistant Coach

Fair point. I definitely would not be doing throw-in technique every week. More that I would not panic if it appeared in a fun practice.
M

MartinF

Assistant Coach

I am a bit more traditional on this. I dont think five minutes showing the basic action does any harm, but I would not build sessions around it.
T

TouchlineTom7

Parent

I would leave throw-ins alone. Plenty of time to learn them when they actually use them.

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