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3v3•U7•Player Development

One player scores nearly every goal – do you change anything?

Asked by Taff
474 views 8 replies
We have one boy who is miles ahead physically at the moment and he probably scores 70% of the goals in whichever three he plays in. I dont want to handicap him or tell him not to score, but the other children can start standing back and waiting for him to do it. Would you ever give him a different challenge in the game, or is that just another adult condition they do not need?

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@CoachTomW

UEFA C Coach

Attacking • technical development

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I would give him a challenge, but I would keep it connected to the game. I would not say “you cannot score” or make him complete three passes first. That punishes the thing he is good at and creates fake decisions. Instead, I might speak to him between games: “When two players come to stop you, can you spot who they leave free?” Or, “Can you win it back quickly when you lose it?” That gives him something harder to notice without stopping him attacking the goal. I would also change the groups so the other players get games where they cannot simply wait for him to solve everything. The best challenge is usually a harder football problem, not a handicap.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 8 replies

C

ChrisW

Parent

as a parent id rather hear he is being challenged to see more of the game than told scoring too many is a problem.
P

peteonline7

Coach

I dont love individual challenges in matches. It can turn every Saturday into coach homework. Just make the games harder.
M

Mike7

Coach

Fair. I think it depends how light the challenge is. One sentence between games is different to a points system hanging over him.
M

Mike7

Coach

I sometimes give the individual a question between games: 'what happens when the second defender comes?' Then leave him alone in the actual game.
G

GreyHoodie

Parent

The other side of it is the teammates. Our strongest dribbler was doing everything because the other two had learned to give him the ball and watch. We changed the combinations for their benefit as much as his.
S

SchoolGate7

Coach

Put him against better defenders where possible. Harder problem, same game.
B

BlackCoffee

Parent

Please do not make him do three passes before he can score. I have seen that used and the kid just starts making fake passes so he can get on with playing.
M

Maya1

Coach

I would challenge him. Not 'dont score', but maybe can he recognise when two players have gone to him and a teammate is free.

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