10UCoach

We play 8 on 8 with a max roster of 12. Makes it tough sometimes. Our league has two divisions - one where kids get lots of touches and equal playing time. One, the one we are in, which is more competitive and no guarantee on playing time - let alone ball touches. Parents can choose whichever league they want - knowing that if Johnnie is not up to par, he will be developed - but may get limited playing time. It is very similar to baseball Rec and Select - and it works well. I've been cutting kids for 2 years now. Not easy - but necessary. I run mini-camps through the summer - this year I had over 20 boys working hard and wanting to play on our team - I could only take 12 - I wish I could take all 20. Wanna know what is sad? The 8 that were left - I offered to recruit 3 or 4 more - teach them my system, work them at my practices, IF one of the dad's would be the 'head coach' because I couldn't be at 2 games at once. I had several dads get mad because I cut their kid - but did I have any step up to help coach a team? Nope - not one. I don't get it...

Hey all - Coach Greg here. New to the boards. I coach a 10U 8 man team. There are three of us and we have one each- 12U, 10U and an 8U team. Our league only allows 12 on a roster - so it's kind of select - I had 16 try out - only 12 get to play. Hard. (why we field 3 teams) Anyway - we are 4-0-1 and have held all opponents scoreless so far (knock on wood). Play at 1:00 tomorrow and then a double header next Saturday to make up for rain outs. Anyway - just wanted to say hi. Anyone else scout the competition??

Defense and Flag pulling. Don't forget about flag pulling. Whatever you do - teach 'em how to pull flags. Sorry - it's my obsession. For my 10U team, I spent 15 minutes every practice on flag pulling drills only(also great cardio). Our 8U team will spend an additional 10 minutes because they don't spend as much time on learning many pass routes - yet. 6 and 7 probably wont pass at all... Defense - Kids now days are pretty hip to defensive formations - thanks to xBox and such, so you can get minorly complex (?) Maybe have one or two of your 'studs' roll to a zone. Teach them to wait - watch - react and then swarm the ball. In practice - from my little guys to the big ones - when we are running scrimmages - every defensive player better be touching the runner. Swarm Swarm Swarm at the young age - teach them to be aggressive and attack - for 30 seconds at a time!!! Teach them how to watch the play develope. Teach them how to watch for signs of who is getting the ball, (smiling real big at sideline coming out of huddle, rubbing hands on pants, pointing body towards QB) and signs of who is NOT getting the ball, (pouty face outta huddle, looks disinterested, barely moves at snap) I use a code word for it... Offense - show them how to take a snap, (NOT looking at the ball, NOT running towards the QB, palm-up and palm-down) and how to run FORWARDS and NOT backwards. Show them how to fake like they have the ball when they don't - and teach them to go on varied snap counts.

Hey all - Coach Greg here. I currently coach a 10U 8 on 8 flag football team. Wow - hadn't ever thought about it before - but I have filled out soooo many of those background check forms... Let's see - started coaching 3 year old soccer in 2001 at the YMCA and have coached multiple seasons every year since - non stop. That year I coached Spring and Fall outdoor soccer and a 5U T-Ball. Did that for 3 years then moved into flag and then tackle football. Back in flag as our area has an awesome 8 man league which really focuses on developing receivers and DB's and QBs. Tough league. My buddy and I actually have 4 teams in the league. An 8U, a 10U which my son plays on, a 12U which his son plays on and an old man's league (40+). We all run the same system and speak the same language - and have lots of fun. The kids think it's really cool when the Big Drillers show up at a game or just practice with them. Our 10s do that for the 8's, 12's for the 10s and 8's, and the men do it for all three. You should see an opposing 8U or 10U Team when their opponent has 3 other teams - dressed exactly like them - high-fiving and cheering them on - confidence soars. Nothing but fun!! I was back coaching 3 year old soccer again for the last 2 years and now that one is moving into softball (T-Ball version). My son also plays select baseball and rec basketball - all the same boys on his flag football team with only a couple of exceptions. I have been lurking and reading up - the respect you guys give each other is a nice touch. Looking forward to learning a lot! Coach Greg I believe that the development of our children is the point of youth sports - PLAY HARD - PLAY FAIR - HAVE FUN