Should teammates be encouraged to coach each other?

Question

Some of our players are starting to give each other useful information, but it can quickly turn into telling teammates what they should have done. Do you actively encourage peer feedback at U11, or keep coaching conversations mainly between player and coach?

Verified Coach · Accepted Answer

I would encourage information between teammates but set a boundary around judgement.

“Turn”, “I’m here”, “drop in” or “we need someone wide” can help the next action.

“You should have passed” after the moment has gone is different. That often becomes one child coaching another without being asked.

You can teach a simple rule: teammate communication should help what happens next.

If players want to discuss a previous action, give them a calm moment in training and model how to do it: “I thought the pass was on because…”

At U11, peer communication is a really useful part of leadership and team awareness.

You just do not want the loudest player becoming an extra coach who corrects everybody after every mistake.

NeilS · Answer

I like players challenging each other, but the loudest child cannot become the unofficial manager. The standard has to apply to how they speak as well as what they say.

Macca1 · Answer

Players talk to each other anyway. I would rather coaches teach what helpful communication sounds like than try to keep every conversation adult-led.

Hannah_7 · Answer

We encourage information, not reviews. 'Man on' or 'come short' is useful. 'You should have passed to me' after it has gone is usually just frustration.

Should teammates be encouraged to coach each other?

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