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One player asks the score every two minutes

Asked by Mark17
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We do not make a big deal of results, but one of our U8s constantly wants to know the score. If we are ahead he plays differently and if we are behind he gets frantic. Would you answer him every time or try to move his attention onto what is happening in the game?

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UEFA C Coach

U7–U11 confidence, parents and behaviour

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I would answer him without letting the score become his main job. If he asks, there is no need to pretend nobody knows. But I would quickly move him back to something he can influence: “We’re one behind. What can you help us with now?” The bigger clue is that his behaviour changes when he knows the score. That is worth helping him notice. You can use training games where the score changes frequently or starts at different numbers, so being ahead or behind becomes normal rather than dramatic. I would not tell him not to care. Wanting to win is fine. The skill he needs is being able to keep making good football decisions whether the team is winning, losing or level.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

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M

MartinF

Community Member

I would still tell him if he asks. Caring about the score is normal. The bit to coach is not letting 2-1 change every decision.
A

AishaN

Community Member

Mine does this when she is nervous. I answer once, then ask what she can help with now. Repeating the score every two minutes seems to make the game feel bigger.