Coaching young children in football requires balancing the desire to win with the need to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to play.
The Sideline Tirade
One coach’s experience at the local YMCA involved a coed indoor football league for children aged 6-8. The team had players with varying levels of skill and interest. A key rule allowed for free substitution during the game, and the coach aimed to give the children equal playing time.
The coach would typically keep most of the children in the game for about three minutes. There was one boy, Sam, who was only put in for around 75-90 seconds at a time. Despite this, over the course of a game, he played almost as much as everyone else.
During one match, the coach pulled Sam out as usual. That’s when a parent started yelling. She demanded her son be allowed to play more, declaring she knew the rules and would speak to the sports director. The coach tried to ignore her, but the yelling persisted. Other parents looked on as the situation escalated.
When Actions Speak Louder
After about five minutes, the coach gave in to the persistent parent. “FINE, I’LL LEAVE HIM IN LONGER” I yell.
Almost immediately after being left in for 90 seconds, Sam lost interest in the game and started chasing an imaginary tail. At 100 seconds, he continued chasing his tail and started barking. By the two-minute mark, he had pulled his shirt over his head and was playing his belly like a drum.
The demanding parent quickly changed her tune, yelling “TAKE HIM OUT! TAKE HIM OUT”!
The coach made eye contact with the parent and smiled. The child simply had a short attention span.
Lessons Learned
The encounter highlighted that parents don’t always know what is best for their children. The boy may not be destined for a career as a professional footballer, but at least he is having fun.