The Coaches' Room
7v7U10Matchday

Sideline restarts are becoming little set pieces

Asked by MeganD
622 views 2 replies
We have pass-ins or dribble-ins, but our team is starting to call who comes short and where the next player moves every time the ball goes out. The restarts look organised, but I am not sure the players are making any decision. Would you keep them much freer at U10?

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UEFA C Coach

Grassroots session design • 5v5 & 7v7 formats

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I’d free them up. At U10 the pass-in or dribble-in is a brilliant little decision-making moment. If the coach calls the first movement, second movement and receiver every time, the players are basically executing a restart routine. I’d give them one or two simple ideas instead: move away to create space, come short if you’re free, and look before you restart. Then let them choose. If they keep making the same poor decision, help between games or after a few repetitions rather than solving every restart live. The rule change gives players more ways to restart the game. That is useful only if they actually get to decide which one helps. I’d rather have the occasional messy restart with learning in it than a perfectly organised one that belongs to the adults.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 2 replies

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SaturdayGaffer2

Community Member

Ours had what looked like a Champions League routine for every kick-in. Lovely until the nominated player was tying a boot and nobody knew what to do.
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HarryOnline

Community Member

This is why I prefer one or two principles. Give an option, create space, then play. The game will give them enough different pictures.