I’ve jotted down over 30 physical , mental and social benefits of young people playing football . I’m sure there’s more . If that was a drug . We would live forever . No wonder kids get down when they can’t play or are not selected

So, elite sports are still go. Elite means, Greatest, out of sight, out of this world, top drawer, top notch, world class. If the football doesn’t look ‘elite’, Kids certainly are. stop the elite /non elite label at such a young age ? Its just Another trap to fall into!

Young players should be allowed to play a full game every week unless injured. Why subs ? No kid wants to watch their mates play . Recently I counted 30 kids on the sidelines across 4 matches . How can that be any good for anyone . ??

Anyone who cares about young players should track ITV at the moment and how they are exposing a potential mental health time bomb -zero tolerance of poor practice would help. but don't hold your breath.

Why don’t we call GKs or defenders skilful unless the ball is at their feet . What about all the other skills that go on Like anticipating ,intercepting, timing a tackle or plucking a cross out the air . Bring the glory back for these skills & more skilful kids will turn up.

many young players ( teenagers especially ) still not sorting out their individual tactics to get an edge over their immediate opponent ,they can tell you everything about formations and free kicks though - Really ! Get the individual tactics right and the team will flourish 👍

Academy phases are based on what ? unless players are at least full time are they not in a foundation phase ? Great basic skills will liberate players on the pitch . If the ball or opponent is always a threat, how do we expect them to be tactical wizards ? No chance .

I wonder how many kids played a whole game last weekend. I bet more didn’t then did . Imagine how much more we see in players when they can start & finish games. The benefits are overwhelming. But it appears, it is still a rare experience reserved for most.

I wonder how many young heads this weekend are going to be filled with targets & stuff related to their long term futures but not on what faces them ‘today’. Every game is such a fertile learning ground but only if young players are free to get immersed and ‘lost’ in it.

I wonder how many young players will be pressing this weekend like mad to win the ball back without any thought to when to press and when not to . Stick a ‘when’ in front of every topic and the tactical learning goes thru the roof 👍

Mistakes in player decisions are accidents not deliberate sabotage. once is an incident , twice is a co incidence & 3 times + is a pattern - spot patterns. don’t sweat the incidents. Most important. Does it really matter oh & watch for self correction. Now there’s a player .

Popular saying - ‘the technical makes the tactical possible’ - really ? if tactics is seen at an individual level as well as group and team level - simply getting the upper hand over opponents, and not getting beat. then surely the ‘tactical makes the technical possible !. Bingo

How mad. Apparently 11 v 11 50 matches (dream) a young player will be in contact with ball for about an hour. vital then, are the skills & tactics players do & plan with their mates off & away from the ball. big & small areas . Get these red hot & those rare contacts ignite .

How about this as an essential bit of advice for players ‘only look at the ball when you absolutely have to’ Amazing - they start positioning better , in and out of possession intercepting and finding spaces they wouldn’t see if they track the ball like a dog 👍 3

Academy phases ? how about key moments not school years - 7-10 transition - grassroots to academy 11 - 14 transition - small Sided to 11 v 11. 15. - 17 transition part time to full time 18 + full time to pro . Specialist coaches in each . Players go where they fit .

If a young player can’t tell you after 15 mins of a match the strengths and weaknesses of their immediate opponent and so have a decent idea of the opportunities and threats in the game . Their heads are probably full of the wrong stuff 😳.

Players ? - How about developing magicians who can deceive, appear, disappear and pull proverbial rabbits out of hats and mindreaders who know what’s coming down the tracks. - now there’s a talent .

how about making penalty areas in kids games really big, not linked to the size of goals . Attackers - ‘ Get in the box’ .Defend properly or it’s a penalty not a stupid free kick 10 yards out allowing defenders to ‘escape’. the gk can also play higher up the pitch . Fab

3 bits of advice to young players - 1. Stare don’t just look at the football when you kick it - if it’s a struggle ask your coach for less crowds and more space . 2. Practice changing your mind at the last minute (disguise) 3. Listen to your body . It will be your best coach !!

Possession is not just passing . Dribbling /carrying the ball is also possession. So how are we allowing ball carriers to be brilliant. practices that don’t include carrying the ball are just really passing practices, fine but it’s those ‘ ball carriers’ that often do the damage.