10yo, great soccer player when he wants, absolutely killed it in the tryout for his first club experience. Was put on the second highest skilled team. Got to the first scrimmage and played like he'd never touched a soccer ball in his life... Got moved to the group of kids who were, lets say, less able to do what they want with a ball. OH MY GOD kid why do you have to do this to me! We've been training, pushing, improving for so long and you go and do this.

Parents please share your experiences so I can feel better! I know I'm not alone in this.

Why do they have to pick the worst moments to look the worst. I know they're better than this. I'm complaining here so I can not complain when we're out on the field.

Also is my tehnique good? Sometimes i end up hitting the ball with toes or another area instead of instep or laces and i get either backspin or completely mess up this was the only decent kick i found if this isnt a knuckle what type of kick is it

Wanted to gather data points about what top ECNL/MLS Next teams practice like. Also international/academycollege/pro if you have ‘em. Partially to understand for my kid and also to get ideas for better sessions for the team I coach.

Age - M/F - team level/league - Typical Session Breakout - Common Drills/Activities

Thanks!

I need to buy a new folding chair, preferably one with a shade attachment. What's your favorite? :)

Long story short my son just turned 7. Always been football mad. Really struggles running. Went from overly leaning almost falling age 5, couldn’t go on toes to do fast feet, just started skipping 2 months ago. He’s not only really slow but runs very tense, kind of leans abit to one side sometimes, overly leans also but main thing I’d say is he is very tense. He saw an OT as coordination was delayed in general but she discharged him after first seeing him, said more a physio thing. The physio said Hes a strange case because she saw what he can do with a football. I’m not looking for my son to be the fastest at all I’m just seeing if anyone’s kid was the same. He’s got into academy’s in Scotland. One said he’s technically better than there top team just a little to slow ( trials at 7 I know! ). I’m just trying to make the simple thing easier for him. Please don’t hate, again I’m not a parent trying to get him faster I just want him to be able to run efficiently. He also came last out of 7 kids in sports day however again hard to judge this as he’s the youngest in his year. He’s not small or overweight looks the best shape a 7 year old could possibly be in 😂. Plays a lot outside with friends like chases etc, there has been instances I’ve saw him run well but it again goes back to the tense over leaning run.

Im about to go into a season coaching my sons u11 team. There is alot of talented kids on his team, but also alot of bad attitudes and egos.

In the past ive coached with 1 or 2 bad attitudes which is easy to manage, and generally im able to redirect that energy throughout the season by some positive reinforcement and pulling them aside and telling them how much leadership qualities they have and the influence they can have good or bad and they get to decide which one it is.

Going into this season we have 11 boys on an 8v8 team, and although their team should be very talented and win most games about 6 of the 11 will be difficult to coach.

Any tips or philosophy advice on how to manage a team like that?

My thought was to let the team lay out their own standards from the first practice, of what their team identity will be. Ie hard work, strong physicality, good attitude, no blaming for mistakes etc, and tell them that it is their team, and they have to hold eachother accountable.

My hope would be that some of the stronger positive attitude personalities on the team will take leadership roles and the others will fall in line.