The Coaches' Room
3v3•U7•Matchday

What happens when two U7s both think it is their restart?

Asked by Ellie_70
1521 views 3 replies
This happened constantly in our little 3v3 games tonight. Ball went out, one child grabbed it, another child from the other team was convinced it was theirs and both just stood holding the ball. With no referee I can completely see why we should let them solve small things, but at six years old there is surely a point where an adult just has to tell them whose restart it is. Are people giving them a few seconds first, or sorting it straight away so the game keeps moving?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

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@CoachRyanC

UEFA C Coach

Grassroots session design

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I’d give them a moment, but I would not leave two six-year-olds wrestling over a football in the name of player ownership. If one of them quickly says “it came off me, yours” then brilliant — let them solve it. If they are both completely convinced it is theirs, the facilitator can make the decision, give the ball to the right team and get the game moving. The important bit is not turning that into a full referee performance. No whistle, no lecture, no debate with the touchline. Just “blue ball, off we go”. Over time you will probably find they solve more of these themselves because the environment becomes familiar. Ownership does not mean adults can never help. It means we only step in when the children actually need us.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 3 replies

J

JamesInHove

Coach

we found the bigger problem was adults joining the argument. now the facilitator just says 'blue ball' or 'green ball' and gets it moving. no explaining who it touched last unless a child actually asks. they forget the decision about three seconds later anyway.
W

WP17

Parent who also coaches

The adults accepting that quick decision is important as well. If a parent immediately starts debating it, the children learn that every restart needs a court case.
L

LouiseInSuffolk

Parent

Give them a few seconds. If theyre still arguing, decide it and play.

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