Under 14's - 09/10 Selection Policy

As we approach the new season, the boys are another year older and games are more competitive, I have set out below the objectives for the season, the areas I would like your support on, how I will be running the team etc.

 

It is important to read, particularly on how I will be dealing with the boys if behaviour falls below the expected standards.

 

My Objectives for 09/10 Season

 

• Keep football fun.
• For each boy to be motivated to be fit and the best they can be at football.
• Develop not only as footballers but as people.
• The boys play for the team, not themselves.
• Wanborough are a team the boys feel proud to play for.

 

Targets for 09/10 Season

• Passing target of 150.
• Team to have done 10 consecutive passes in a  game.
• Every member of the squad to have learnt and improved in the season (based on completed feedback reports).
• Improve fitness (based on measurement put in place by George).
• 50% of the boys who take part in the Wanborough Fun Run beat the time challenge.
• Zero bookings

 

Attitude and Approach

 

I believe with the right attitude and approach we can make a big improvement in the performance of the team.

 

This relates to both attitude in training and on match days. What do I expect?

 

• Listen and respect the coaches.
• Play the position they are asked in matches and at training.
• Always try their best right to the end of the game despite the score.
• Commit to the team, encourage each other.
• Understand impact of negative comments on team mates, e.g. no criticism or moaning when a mistake is made, I want to promote team spirit, not destroy it.
• Respect the referee, no questioning of their decisions or to the linesman.
• Respect the players, coaches and supporters of other teams 
• No swearing.
• Play hard but fair, if they commit a foul, apologise, shake hands and get on the with game (even if the boys don't think it was a foul).
• At the end of the game enter fully into the spirit of 3 cheers for the opposition, shaking hands with opposition, demonstrating sportsmanship as well as competitiveness etc.
• Turn up on time and ready to play, e.g. for training have shin pads on.
• Be open in communication, if the boys have a problem speak to the team spokesman or direct to me.

 

What will happen if behaviour falls below these standards?

 

• On match days I will take the player off.
• In training ban the player from the next game or next training session (as I see most appropriate).

How will I implement this?

 

• Where I have given one of the boys a warning at training and in my judgement the parent should know I will send the parent a brief e mail on the reasons I gave the warning and the steps if any I want you to take (it may be just for information).
• The reason for the e mail rather than call is it takes the emotion out of the situation and quite frankly like all the parents I have busy job and haven't the time for calls.
• Hopefully it will never come to this but the sequence of events would be:

 

• Coach gives warning at training
• e mail to parents (plus invite to watch training from a distance)
• No improvement in behaviour = ban from training or game
• No improvement following this goes into the Club Discipline procedure

 

• I want you to see this as a positive, I want to take the boys performance to another level this season but this can only be achieved with the right attitude.

 

Team Selection

 

All the points above play into team selection, nobody has the right to play, at the Under 14 age group the games become very competitive.

 

Key points are:

 

• We are a squad and all the boys will be encouraged to keep playing football.
• The boys need to earn the right to play by showing the right skill, attitude, behaviour, performance and effort in training and matches.
• Some boys will be in more squads than others based on ability.
• I have never agreed with bringing on a boy for just a few minutes, however next season substitutions might not be made until the 2nd half.
• I will continue to take 14 boys to match days, it makes things much easier for me if somebody pulls out.
• The way I rotate the boys means that a high proportion of the squad will be off for a short time at one stage of the match.
• Boys may therefore come off even if they are playing well, that is the price we pay to encourage everybody although attitude, behaviour, performance and effort will be the primary factors in substitutions.
• I don't want a win at all costs approach, however I do want the boys to compete for their place. It is a fine balance, we play to win, encourage all of the boys to play and enjoy football and show the right attitude, win or lose.

 

You may recall that I wrote to you in August 2008 on how I break the boys into three groups, learning curve, intermediate and meets standard.

 

 "Meets standard" is not just about ball skills but attitude as well, e.g. will keep working hard for the team right to the end of the game, will stay in the position I have asked them to do, will chase back, will not hold back from making tackles etc.  In addition they tick all the other areas in terms of behaviour.

 

The ideal position is to get all the boys into the Meets Standards category or as close to it as possible.

 

 

Captain / Vice Captain / Players Rep

 

Some changes here, rather than alternate the captaincy I have picked Gareth as Captain as Josh Reynolds as Vice Captain who will take these roles until I decide to change.

 

I will also ask the boys to nominate a players Representative.

 

 

Support on Match Days and Training

 

I might need to get a parents rota in place to support me in training now that Mark can no longer help out, I will see how this goes.

 

 

Supporters

 

It goes without saying but no comments to the referee and only words of encouragement to the boys.

 

 

Please feel free to discuss any of these points with me, we had a great Sportsmanship result, the above steps are now about taking a step forward using my time and the other coaches to help the boys develop  further as footballers.

 

 

Rob