Kids Football 5+

[kmcca5]

My boy has been enjoying his after School football and was he was very upset on Monday when it finished. He is only 5 and a half. He has been signed up for a Brighton Hove Albion Christmas Football School for two days in the holidays, asked him and he was very up for it. Starting to look around for a local club for weekends but I am trying not to go to mental and sign him up for everything.

Is it worth exposing him to lots of playing football at this age? Anyone have experience and advice for kids at this age? We play in the garden and in the park and its what he wants to do.

He loves football, playing and going to games but I don't want to put him off at a young age.

Thanks in advance.

Edited December 8, 2015 by kmcca5

[adamntg]

The more he can play the better imo. My boys were playing in clubs by age 6 and they can't enough of it now they're 9 and 10. As long as whoever coaches them isn't an idiot and they're enjoying themselves then they can't be playing too much.

The fun but is most important. Let him touch the ball as much as he can, don't expect a five year old to play like a 12 year old. It sounds obvious but it's incredible the number of parents screaming at really young kids to pass, mark up and so on. Just let them play with a ball.

Edited December 8, 2015 by adamntg

[AberdeenAngus]

The more he can play the better imo. My boys were playing in clubs by age 6 and they can't enough of it now they're 9 and 10. As long as whoever coaches them isn't an idiot and they're enjoying themselves then they can't be playing too much.

The fun but is most important. Let him touch the ball as much as he can, don't expect a five year old to play like a 12 year old. It sounds obvious but it's incredible the number of parents screaming at really young kids to pass, mark up and so on. Just let them play with a ball.

Do your boys play for a Dundee boys club?

[kmcca5]

The more he can play the better imo. My boys were playing in clubs by age 6 and they can't enough of it now they're 9 and 10. As long as whoever coaches them isn't an idiot and they're enjoying themselves then they can't be playing too much.

The fun but is most important. Let him touch the ball as much as he can, don't expect a five year old to play like a 12 year old. It sounds obvious but it's incredible the number of parents screaming at really young kids to pass, mark up and so on. Just let them play with a ball.

Exactly this, I am keeping my mouth shut when he plays, except for a wee bit of positive comments afterwards.

[Huddersfield]

I couldn't stop my lad playing at that age. If he likes it why curtail it. He still plays every Saturday, Sunday & midweek so clearly didn't do any harm.

Well apart from the 'so when do you actually go to lectures?' bit.

[RenfrewBlue]

The more he can play the better imo. My boys were playing in clubs by age 6 and they can't enough of it now they're 9 and 10. As long as whoever coaches them isn't an idiot and they're enjoying themselves then they can't be playing too much.

The fun but is most important. Let him touch the ball as much as he can, don't expect a five year old to play like a 12 year old. It sounds obvious but it's incredible the number of parents screaming at really young kids to pass, mark up and so on. Just let them play with a ball.

This is spot on.

I've been coaching kids from age 7 and up for the last 12 years and it really should just be about them playing the game and improving. I can't stand the win at all costs type that just shout at the kids.

When I started I found it tough as we were getting hammered fairly regularly but I managed to keep the boys spirits up and they just wanted to play and learn. We didn't improve enough to win the league but after a couple of years the same group of boys were holding their own against every team in the league. So much so we had a few players poached. Worst was one boy who went back to the team that had dumped him. We made him a better player by making sure he got game time and they nicked him back.

Moral of the story is if he enjoys it and you get the right coach he will improve and you never know where that'll lead.

[sbcmfc]

Just to swoop in and poach the thread slightly...

How young can/should you start kids?

My sons only 2 1/2, but I think he needs a hobby.

Seriously though, he's kind of outgrowing the toddler class he goes too, and it's quite expensive for what it is. My wife is quite keen on him trying one of the kids football classes. It's not really football as far as I know, just a kids class, centred around football, and football type skills?

I know Motherwell do them from age 3, and there's a class at soccer world at the fort, they said officially it's 3+, but as he's quite a sturdy, hardy wee guy he should try it. (The boy that takes that one is a friend of a friend)

However, on the other hand it seems ridiculous to sign him up when he's 2 and a half...

Edited December 8, 2015 by sbcmfc

[Rory]

As long as they enjoy it they should be playing it as much as they want. Only recently I've realised how young the wee ones are now when they start playing for actual teams. It used to always be going to football classes then the young yins would join a team at like 7/8 years old. Now I know of folks kids playing for teams from as young as 4!

At young ages though it's better for there development to let them go out & just enjoy themselves playing. Too often mouthy parents distract the kids or stop them enjoying it with the non stop shouting from the side.

Hopefully your wee one will continue to enjoy playing football & who knows , he might be pulling on the blue jersey for Scotland in the future!

Edited December 9, 2015 by Rory

[kmcca5]

Hopefully your wee one will continue to enjoy playing football & who knows , he might be pulling on the blue jersey for Scotland in the future!

He is Half Welsh half Scottish with Northern Irish Grand parent and was born in England.

I stated from the outset Wales for Rugby Scotland Football. If he is blessed with enough skill and talent that is!

But seriously I just want him to be good enough to enjoy playing through out his life. School and Work its a great way to keep fit and socialise.

Edited December 9, 2015 by kmcca5

[Huddersfield]

Just to swoop in and poach the thread slightly...

How young can/should you start kids?

My sons only 2 1/2, but I think he needs a hobby.

Seriously though, he's kind of outgrowing the toddler class he goes too, and it's quite expensive for what it is. My wife is quite keen on him trying one of the kids football classes. It's not really football as far as I know, just a kids class, centred around football, and football type skills?

I know Motherwell do them from age 3, and there's a class at soccer world at the fort, they said officially it's 3+, but as he's quite a sturdy, hardy wee guy he should try it. (The boy that takes that one is a friend of a friend)

However, on the other hand it seems ridiculous to sign him up when he's 2 and a half...

It's only ridiculous if you're doing it to push him somewhere. If he's doing it for fun, social activity, exercise then truly there's nothing wrong, especially if the equipment, games & supervision are age appropiate.

[adamntg]

Do your boys play for a Dundee boys club?

I'm an ex-pat. The boys play in Paisley & Johnstone District but started in East Ren.

[scotsandyboy]

Have to agree with the posts on here. Start them as young as possible. We take them in from 4 year old and it's all about getting kids enjoying playing the game and having lots of touches of the ball. My 6 year olds are now playing fun 4s tournaments and some of the shouts from the parents and coaches are ridiculous, as are the whoops and screams when a goal is scored. The ethos of the club will play a big part in how your son is developed. I know that I pull any parent up who tries to coach their son during a game. We ask parents to actively encourage by clapping or shouting well done but the coach will talk them through where they need to be on the park etc.

I would suggest that you go and view a couple of clubs and look at their training sessions and view how the coaches interact with the kids, ask for their visions and aims as a club and gauge your choice from there.

[jimstroma]

My boy didn't start playing until he was 12 and he wishes he started alot younger, but he wasn't interested and I didn't push him. He is in his 3rd season now with his club and he also plays for his high school team. He loves playing football and I am now a coach and really enjoy it.

My advice would be to get him playing at a young age and get involved as much as you can.

[Dalgety Bay TA]

Have to agree with the posts on here. Start them as young as possible. We take them in from 4 year old and it's all about getting kids enjoying playing the game and having lots of touches of the ball. My 6 year olds are now playing fun 4s tournaments and some of the shouts from the parents and coaches are ridiculous, as are the whoops and screams when a goal is scored. The ethos of the club will play a big part in how your son is developed. I know that I pull any parent up who tries to coach their son during a game. We ask parents to actively encourage by clapping or shouting well done but the coach will talk them through where they need to be on the park etc.

I would suggest that you go and view a couple of clubs and look at their training sessions and view how the coaches interact with the kids, ask for their visions and aims as a club and gauge your choice from there.

The hardest part as a parent about watching your bairns play, especially if you are a parent who abides by all the guidelines set down by the club and association on touchline behaviour is having to actually put up with other parents. Its horrific.

My first experience of it was watching my oldest in his first game, at 11 a side. They lost about 5-1 and parents were on the sidelines from his team beside me. There seemed to be a clique of them who continually tried to coach their kids from the sidelines. I remember one goal my lads team lost. Wee boy swung in a good corner....at 11 year old some kids can't even get a corner in the box, anyway swings in a good corner, some lad comes and meets the ball about 10 yards out with his head, never broke stride, perfect connection, bullet header right in the top corner. Our goalie was a big lad for 11 but got no where near it. In truth Manuel Neuer would have struggled to get that one and I doubt the lad who scored will get a better one in his life. The goalies dad, wearing a pair of Craghopper walking boots and with a steel thermos coffee cup hanging off his back pocket FFS, shouts to his son and then makes a double handed fisting/thrusting motion, a bit like when Superman takes off into the sky, to his laddie. FFS, it was 10 yards out, it was a 1 in a 100 corner kick and a 1 in a million goal and he is expecting his laddie in goals to come and punch that clear....the look on his laddies face said it all. I realised very quickly that there was a large collection of fvckwits watching and made sure I stood well away from them every other game I watched.

I have seen parents continually trying to coach their kids from the sidelines, its dreadful, one parent about a couple of months ago was micro managing his kids position on the pitch throughout the game "Come forward 5 yards, drop deeper a few steps, come wide......" continuous. These parents have no idea what the coaches have told the kids and are undermining them at every chance. I tend to take headphones and listen to something on my phone when watching now.

In relation to OP, yes get him involved if he wants to be involved. As others have said, have a look at the training and the actual matches the teams play to get an idea of the club. Most clubs are happy to let new kids come along for a couple of weeks to try and see if they like it. And go and watch the kids playing a game with your lad to get an idea of how the coaches are during the game themselves. Ran into a club a few weeks ago where the coach was roaring sh!t at his team for most of the game including the classic "Get it out, get rid of it NOOOW!" to a set of 9 year olds.

I actually have a lot of time for kids coaches, they dedicate a lot of free time to coaching kids and most of them are good with the kids and make sure they enjoy it. The general guidance for coaches and parents in our local leagues is to praise the kids when they do something well, try not to pick up on faults during the game (let the coaches work on that during training in their own way) and make sure they are having fun and everyones included.

[ShedTA]

The more he can play the better imo. My boys were playing in clubs by age 6 and they can't enough of it now they're 9 and 10. As long as whoever coaches them isn't an idiot and they're enjoying themselves then they can't be playing too much.

The fun but is most important. Let him touch the ball as much as he can, don't expect a five year old to play like a 12 year old. It sounds obvious but it's incredible the number of parents screaming at really young kids to pass, mark up and so on. Just let them play with a ball.

exactly right. and resist the temptation to over coach / tell them what to do too much. if they are doing some training drills make sure the instruction is very short and the bulk of the time is them with the ball at their feet.

make up games that can form part of the drills - cant over emphasise how it needs to be about fun when kids are that age. even races with the ball between their feet/ knees/ or trying to hold it behind their heads, in between dribbling and passing drills. its all about comfort with a ball and learning what they can do with it.

and agree with posts above, when they play games, do not emphasise the winning at that age. they will know they want to win, and congratulate them massively when they do but its not the be all and end all. enjoyment is the key.

[RenfrewBlue]

The hardest part as a parent about watching your bairns play, especially if you are a parent who abides by all the guidelines set down by the club and association on touchline behaviour is having to actually put up with other parents. Its horrific.

My first experience of it was watching my oldest in his first game, at 11 a side. They lost about 5-1 and parents were on the sidelines from his team beside me. There seemed to be a clique of them who continually tried to coach their kids from the sidelines. I remember one goal my lads team lost. Wee boy swung in a good corner....at 11 year old some kids can't even get a corner in the box, anyway swings in a good corner, some lad comes and meets the ball about 10 yards out with his head, never broke stride, perfect connection, bullet header right in the top corner. Our goalie was a big lad for 11 but got no where near it. In truth Manuel Neuer would have struggled to get that one and I doubt the lad who scored will get a better one in his life. The goalies dad, wearing a pair of Craghopper walking boots and with a steel thermos coffee cup hanging off his back pocket FFS, shouts to his son and then makes a double handed fisting/thrusting motion, a bit like when Superman takes off into the sky, to his laddie. FFS, it was 10 yards out, it was a 1 in a 100 corner kick and a 1 in a million goal and he is expecting his laddie in goals to come and punch that clear....the look on his laddies face said it all. I realised very quickly that there was a large collection of fvckwits watching and made sure I stood well away from them every other game I watched.

I have seen parents continually trying to coach their kids from the sidelines, its dreadful, one parent about a couple of months ago was micro managing his kids position on the pitch throughout the game "Come forward 5 yards, drop deeper a few steps, come wide......" continuous. These parents have no idea what the coaches have told the kids and are undermining them at every chance. I tend to take headphones and listen to something on my phone when watching now.

In relation to OP, yes get him involved if he wants to be involved. As others have said, have a look at the training and the actual matches the teams play to get an idea of the club. Most clubs are happy to let new kids come along for a couple of weeks to try and see if they like it. And go and watch the kids playing a game with your lad to get an idea of how the coaches are during the game themselves. Ran into a club a few weeks ago where the coach was roaring sh!t at his team for most of the game including the classic "Get it out, get rid of it NOOOW!" to a set of 9 year olds.

I actually have a lot of time for kids coaches, they dedicate a lot of free time to coaching kids and most of them are good with the kids and make sure they enjoy it. The general guidance for coaches and parents in our local leagues is to praise the kids when they do something well, try not to pick up on faults during the game (let the coaches work on that during training in their own way) and make sure they are having fun and everyones included.

I had similar problems when I was coaching my sons team. I eventually called a meeting of all parents and told them they weren't allowed to give instructions to the kids. I explained the effects it had and pointed out where parents talking pish had cost the team goals. The majority were fine with it but there were a couple of roasters who just couldn't help themselves.

I offered to let them take the team since they obviously wanted to be coaches and this finally hit home with them as they really didn't want to take the team themselves.

[sbcmfc]

It's only ridiculous if you're doing it to push him somewhere. If he's doing it for fun, social activity, exercise then truly there's nothing wrong, especially if the equipment, games & supervision are age appropiate.

Sounds like a mine field!

Not an attempt to push him to be the next Cristiano Ronaldo, just an activity really, probably will give it a try in the new year and see if he likes it.

[RenfrewBlue]

Sounds like a mine field!

Not an attempt to push him to be the next Cristiano Ronaldo, just an activity really, probably will give it a try in the new year and see if he likes it.

Good luck and I hope he enjoys it.

[mariokempes56]

Foot + ball + fun.

Thats it at the younger ages.

[Glasgowmancity]

My boy has been enjoying his after School football and was he was very upset on Monday when it finished. He is only 5 and a half. He has been signed up for a Brighton Hove Albion Christmas Football School for two days in the holidays, asked him and he was very up for it. Starting to look around for a local club for weekends but I am trying not to go to mental and sign him up for everything.

Is it worth exposing him to lots of playing football at this age? Anyone have experience and advice for kids at this age? We play in the garden and in the park and its what he wants to do.

He loves football, playing and going to games but I don't want to put him off at a young age.

Thanks in advance.

Just to swoop in and poach the thread slightly...

How young can/should you start kids?

My sons only 2 1/2, but I think he needs a hobby.

Seriously though, he's kind of outgrowing the toddler class he goes too, and it's quite expensive for what it is. My wife is quite keen on him trying one of the kids football classes. It's not really football as far as I know, just a kids class, centred around football, and football type skills?

I know Motherwell do them from age 3, and there's a class at soccer world at the fort, they said officially it's 3+, but as he's quite a sturdy, hardy wee guy he should try it. (The boy that takes that one is a friend of a friend)

However, on the other hand it seems ridiculous to sign him up when he's 2 and a half...

My Daughter is 9 & my wee boy is just coming up 3. Both started football at between 2 1/2 & 3 at Soccerworld (what coach is it you know Scott?). My daughter is now playing under 11's for Glasgow Girls & still loves her football.

Kmcca5 - if your son is enjoying it let him play, just don't expect him to take it too serious

[Johnnyshaker]

Just to swoop in and poach the thread slightly...

How young can/should you start kids?

My sons only 2 1/2, but I think he needs a hobby.

Seriously though, he's kind of outgrowing the toddler class he goes too, and it's quite expensive for what it is. My wife is quite keen on him trying one of the kids football classes. It's not really football as far as I know, just a kids class, centred around football, and football type skills?

I know Motherwell do them from age 3, and there's a class at soccer world at the fort, they said officially it's 3+, but as he's quite a sturdy, hardy wee guy he should try it. (The boy that takes that one is a friend of a friend)

However, on the other hand it seems ridiculous to sign him up when he's 2 and a half...

My son is 2 in January, they do those little kickers sessions near us and I really fancy taking him. I go from being really enthusiastic one minute to thinking I'm being ridiculous the next! It's only 45 mins and the youngest group starts at 18 months so it must be popular!

[sbcmfc]

I go from being really enthusiastic one minute to thinking I'm being ridiculous the next! It's only 45 mins and the youngest group starts at 18 months so it must be popular!

I'm reassured that others are thinking the same.

My wife is actually quite keen on it, as it will teach him about waiting his turn, following instructions etc.

[sbcmfc]

My Daughter is 9 & my wee boy is just coming up 3. Both started football at between 2 1/2 & 3 at Soccerworld (what coach is it you know Scott?). My daughter is now playing under 11's for Glasgow Girls & still loves her football.

Cheers for the info. Definitely going to give it a try in January.

Worst case he hates it or gets thrown out for not doing as he's told.

[wellyman]

Its all down to the quality and quantity of coaching staff, if you have 12 or so 5 year olds, you require 2 to 3 coaches , work on a basis of 1 coach to 4 or 5 kids, remember that most coach's are not trained as teacher's at a school, they are normally mums or dads who take up the job as there son or daughter wants to join a team.

Enjoyment - when there young it is hard for a 5 yo to focus for an hour so on various aspects of football and some will have more ability than others, so you have to mix the football with other games that helps there movement, they will not realise but you use games that will help them to move around a football field when they do not have the ball. If you watch 5 to 7 yo's playing in a game at that age they generally all chase the ball at one time, the teams i coached only did that for a couple of games , they quickly realised they had more fun and scored more goals as they would be in space as the other team would have 5 or 6 kids in one corner chasing the ball.

Parents - Biggest problem with doing kids football, is the wanna be coach or football manager on the sideline giving out his or her advice, I found it quite funny that at the start of a coaching season, i would have to give the kids a talking to and then there parents. Generally it worked but there was one father, whose son was a good wee footballer but had no idea of football himself and continued to shout and give his advice in his type of language, he had been told on numerous occasion's to leave it but he ended up having a fight on the touchline with another parent [from our team] - the game was stopped the police were called and you had a group of 7 yo's standing watching this. He was asked to stay away from games but refused and so I had to take the decision let his son go, the boy was really upset by this as all his mates played for the team, about month after all this I noticed the boy sitting all alone at the top of the park watching us train, I went over to him and had a chat and he apologised for the way his father had behaved , I thought this wee 7 yo has more dignity and pride than his father, I told him to go join in the training , telephoned his mother to ask if that was ok and she said that his father would not attend any more games as they had split and he had moved away. That boy is now 19 and playing semi-professional football.

My advice is to go let the kids enjoy themselves, let the coach do his or her job and parents keep there comments to themselves.

[Glasgowmancity]

Worst case he hates it or gets thrown out for not doing as he's told.

If that was the case Jamie would have booted my boy out the class months ago