Suggestions for a smaller team
We are coaching a 7-9 year old ymca soccer league. The league plays 8 on each team with a minimum of 6 players. We were given 8 players on the roster and one player never showed up. We have a consistent 7 players who show up and play hard. We have requested more players and the athletic director was of no help. There are teams in the league with 13 and 12 players.
Our last game was in 90 degree, no wind, no shade and one of our hardest working players was having a hard time breathing and was too hot by the end of the 3rd period.
The athletic director was there and our assistant coach complained to him. The director left before the end of the game. Suddenly we have multiple complaints about our assistant coach according to the director.
That's the background. The question: What are strategies that we can use to give the kids breaks and keep them safe? We had been rotating kids playing offensive to defense to allow them to rest a little. I want to play only 6 kids to allow someone to sit on the sideline, but think that we will get another mark against us with the director looking for things. Any suggestions?