The Coaches' Room
9v9U12Confidence & Behaviour

Players appealing for every decision instead of playing on

Asked by Neil2
1525 views 3 replies
This has become a bad habit in our U13 games. Arms go up for offside, fouls and throw-ins while the ball is still live. Would coaches actually sanction it internally, or is it just part of learning competitive football?

VERIFIED COACH ANSWER

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

UEFA B Coach

Sports Psychology Level 4

Why don't we show coach names?
I would address it because it affects both behaviour and performance. Appealing while the ball is live usually means the player has mentally left the game for a moment. They are trying to get the decision instead of dealing with what happens next. I’d set one clear team expectation: play until the official stops it. Then praise the response you want. A defender who thinks it is offside but keeps running and deals with the attack has shown excellent discipline. If the appealing becomes constant, I would speak to individual players and, if necessary, use a short substitution as a reset. Competitive football does include frustration and disagreement. Learning to manage that frustration is part of development too. At U13, I would not treat appealing as passion that has to be accepted. The players can care deeply and still stay focused on the next action.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 3 replies

C

ChloeOnline

Community Member

Nothing worse than being the only defender running back while three teammates are looking at the assistant.
C

Charlotte15

Community Member

We introduced a team rule that arms up while the ball is live means you are out of the next action. Not a punishment, just something we reviewed on video.
B

BrummieB77

Community Member

From the referee side, please coach play-on until the whistle. Young players appealing for everything create problems for themselves more than anyone else.