for the future

[L.T.F.C.]

I specifically said it wasn't against the people who are giving the time, or didn't you read that part of the post?

Each club should have access to a coach who can at least give some direction to the training. Schools football is too much about winning, which makes it about the strongest players not the most skillful. It is up to the FAI to provide assistance in terms of coaching and supports, and direction in how football is developed. It is a much bigger issue than Longford Town.

Maybe it is a question of resources, which again comes back to Irish people not supporting Irish clubs. There's no way that Longford Town could realistically fund a "football in the community" scheme like they have in the UK, for example. The FAI just don't prioritise this type of initiative, even if they do have the money.

I know that. I saw that.

Also, why shouldn't U-8s be playing competitively?

[outspoken]

Each club should have access to a coach who can at least give some direction to the training. Schools football is too much about winning, which makes it about the strongest players not the most skillful. It is up to the FAI to provide assistance in terms of coaching and supports, and direction in how football is developed. It is a much bigger issue than Longford Town.

Maybe it is a question of resources, which again comes back to Irish people not supporting Irish clubs. There's no way that Longford Town could realistically fund a "football in the community" scheme like they have in the UK, for example. The FAI just don't prioritise this type of initiative, even if they do have the money.

Totaly agree with this post this is what i was trying to say...kinda

[howsyourtouch]

I know that. I saw that.

Also, why shouldn't U-8s be playing competitively?

i dont think you really understand how development works in successful footballing conutries?! they dont play competitively at this age and usually up until about 12 or 13 becuase at these ages they are expressing their skills and learning the basics for 5 or 6 years, getting them to know and react to situations in a game like they are second nature to them.

how often do you hear at this level when it is competitive football to kick it out when in trouble to avoid losing possession of the ball instead of letting the kids try and work their way out of trouble.? its winning that counts when it is competitive at this level and that usually means winning at all costs, not playing the player on the side lines who is a bit smaller than everyone else and who isnt as good as everyone else at his current stage of develpoment! not playing certain players because they might lose their team a game, when it should not matter at this age, it should not matter in the slightest!

it is so damaging to the players in the long run.

people saying well they should get used to winning, well its been proven that they will get used to winning, when they are 16 or 17 and older when it counts.

[howsyourtouch]

and its weird to think that since iv posted this that 12 RDO'S all around the country are out of a job on the fai's money saving scheme, and now there is NO underage professional womens coaches in this country. trap on 1.8million, if he took at pay cut of 800,000 he would still have 1million and the irish kids all around the country would still have their rdo's employed for the next 5 years.

[Cabs88]

Schools football is too much about winning, which makes it about the strongest players not the most skillful.

thats a very good point, and I think that problem keeps arising in the english game where technically gifted footballers are not givin the chance as maybe they lack the strenght or physicality of stronger players.. Its no exageration that the football culture in britain and ireland is of detrement to technical players, and only now the tide is slowly changing with the arival of players like wilshere. Its no coincidence that wenger is at the helm, a foreigner overseeing these changes..


As for u-8s playing competitive, thats a joke football (or any sport) at that stage should be about enjoyment and elitism. The major competition facing under 8s nowadays is tearing them away from playstations, and getting them on a football field in the first place

[outspoken]

Some great posts been made here especially about technical players not been given their chance. I am one of many that was one of those kids left on the line all the time and it's lead to an early departure from the game but it was more down to not been a big shot which I know for a fact is a massive problem in Ireland it's all about who you are not what you are.

As for young kids playing competively I really think its more about getting them out and playing. I am at underage games every weekend and while their are some great coaches there are also ones who just roar and roar and roar at young children no bigger than the ball and if you ask me no player will develop like that.

In the ldsl their is a new blitz system for u-7 boys and girls were around 6-8 team come to one place and play several games , the games are not about winning it's simply learning and everything is very relaxed and I see alot more players willing to run with the ball and do a trick or to where as usualy I just see players hoofing it out over the line.

[L.T.F.C.]

A few times this season I've seen the Town concede goals from trying to play it out of defence instead of hoofing it clear. I didn't hear many people cheering on the team after they conceded a goal like that...

[Cabs88]

A few times this season I've seen the Town concede goals from trying to play it out of defence instead of hoofing it clear. I didn't hear many people cheering on the team after they conceded a goal like that...

you are missing the point they are not technically good enough to play the ball out of defence and that goes back to coaching.. Players (at a young age) should be encouraged to express themselves on the ball and not just kick it up the pitch a la Jack charltons teams.. At its simplest form, this safety first approach is whats wrong with a lot of football nowadays..

when the mind set shifts from playing the stronger players who can kick the ball furthest or the hardest but not necessarily the most skillful, then we will produce better skilful players..

I cant imagine messi or olic were ones to kick the ball up the field without taking a touch or two..

[howsyourtouch]

A few times this season I've seen the Town concede goals from trying to play it out of defence instead of hoofing it clear. I didn't hear many people cheering on the team after they conceded a goal like that...

maybe if they had of been playing it out of defence from the age of 8 then they would have done it with ease. hoofing it clear is all well and good if its 1-0 and 89minute, it should not deployed as a tactic for the full game.

[outspoken]

its all about knowing when to play and when to put it into the car park it all comes from good coaching at a young age

[Tallanted]

There are too many coaches in this country who do the badges just to say look what i have and not bringing the knowledge back onto the training ground at grassroots level. Every schoolboy section of a club should have a technical development plan for there young players which will develop in time, its about getting kids comfortable on the ball and repetitivly working on the key points of technique. If we dont show the players how to do it properly from an early age and give them plenty of practice on doing it themselves then they have no hope of doing it when they are in their early 20's. The FAI have made it easy for clubs to get their coaches qualified and this is a massive step forward for the future of our players if and only if the coaches use it. There are some great coaches in this country but equally there are some very poor coaches too.

[L.T.F.C.]

i dont think you really understand how development works in successful footballing conutries?! they dont play competitively at this age and usually up until about 12 or 13 becuase at these ages they are expressing their skills and learning the basics for 5 or 6 years, getting them to know and react to situations in a game like they are second nature to them.

i
and its weird to think that since iv posted this that 12 RDO'S all around the country are out of a job on the fai's money saving scheme, and now there is NO underage professional womens coaches in this country. trap on 1.8million, if he took at pay cut of 800,000 he would still have 1million and the irish kids all around the country would still have their rdo's employed for the next 5 years.

You want to pay them 13 grand a year? Do your sums will ya.

I think it is wholly unfair that you don't want to allow children to play competitively. Who would want to train for so long, and have to wait 5 or 6 years to attempt to win something? I'd rather be in the girl guides.
Explain to me how this "5 Year Plan" works. Also, can you tell me what successful countries don't allow their children play competitive football, because I don't know them.

[Tallanted]

Germany, they scrapped their kids leagues a few years ago and now start competively at u14. There main focus is on academies that develop their players at the crucial age.

[chosen1]

You want to pay them 13 grand a year? Do your sums will ya.

I think it is wholly unfair that you don't want to allow children to play competitively. Who would want to train for so long, and have to wait 5 or 6 years to attempt to win something? I'd rather be in the girl guides.
Explain to me how this "5 Year Plan" works. Also, can you tell me what successful countries don't allow their children play competitive football, because I don't know them.

No competitive football until U14 in Holland and Spain for years also

[Cabs88]

You want to pay them 13 grand a year? Do your sums will ya.

I think it is wholly unfair that you don't want to allow children to play competitively. Who would want to train for so long, and have to wait 5 or 6 years to attempt to win something? I'd rather be in the girl guides.
Explain to me how this "5 Year Plan" works. Also, can you tell me what successful countries don't allow their children play competitive football, because I don't know them.

you clearly have no knowledge of working with children, a child should be encouraged in so far as possible to achieve their potential, but at the end of the day enjoyment of the game and aquisition of skills should be most important. If children are pressurised early on into winning and the importance of winning, skill development will suffer.. if countries on the continent are producing players of great technical ability all the while, not allowing competitive football, surely they are doing something right.. Id rather have a player who can play a bit of football than won an u-10 medal when he was young..

[L.T.F.C.]

you clearly have no knowledge of working with children, a child should be encouraged in so far as possible to achieve their potential, but at the end of the day enjoyment of the game and aquisition of skills should be most important. If children are pressurised early on into winning and the importance of winning, skill development will suffer.. if countries on the continent are producing players of great technical ability all the while, not allowing competitive football, surely they are doing something right.. Id rather have a player who can play a bit of football than won an u-10 medal when he was young..

You totally missed my point. Totally. Children shouldn't be pressurized into winning but my point is that you're denying children the right to play competitive football. This isn't a totalitarian state.
You clearly have no knowledge of how hard it is to make it in football. You may rather that he can play football, but I'd say he would rather have something to show for it.

[Tallanted]

You sound very bitter? Its a worldwide thing now to start competitive football at an older age, parents have alot to be desired about their kids winning mentality, this win at all costs bull&£@&! it's football and football is all opinions but if something is tried and tested then who are we to argue it.

[L.T.F.C.]

You sound very bitter? Its a worldwide thing now to start competitive football at an older age, parents have alot to be desired about their kids winning mentality, this win at all costs bull&£@&! it's football and football is all opinions but if something is tried and tested then who are we to argue it.

Not bitter at all. Who are we to deny children to play football in whatever manner they want?

And I'm L.T.F.C. and I can argue whatever the **** I want.

[Tallanted]

Deny children to play in whatever manner they want??? You've missed the whole point again, I will leave it there I will talk to the wall outside instead. It's all opinions but you seem to have taken an arrogant view and are under the assumption that cause you said it it's right and whatever else is posted by other posters is just for you to have a go at because you are LTFC(quite a childish post) Its narrow minded people like you that are holding back our young players, to understand somthing you need to see it in action, from your posts I would imagine you are no older than 17 or 18?
You have argued everything with I think this and that but no facts, also when you asked for facts to prove it you ignored the response and went back to the well I stil think this and that, which is fair enough it's your opinion but you need to respect others too.

[outspoken]

I remember seeing on sky sports news not too long ago that the English are now trying to turn away from competive underage football. They have implemented a mercy rule in some league by which if a team goes ahead by 6 or 7 goals they stop the game award the points to the winning team and just like kids do at school they would give the weaker team some of their better players and play out the rest of the game for fun.

the FA has done great work in recent years to tackle the massive problem of abusive parents. At underage matches they now put up a tape around the pitch which keeps the spectators back and they make the parents sign contracts to say they will not shout abuse at the children or the referee I think this is a truly great system and its something the FAI should look at cause theres nothing worse than seeing a 7 year old cry because his parent is roaring at him like hes on 80 grand a week.