u/mthill_littlerock

I have a question about coaching beginner goaltenders. Our team has been together for 2 years but have played 4v4 with no keeper. Next year we are moving to U7 which is 5v5 with a keeper. I grew up playing soccer and did no through HS but don't have the slightest idea how to teach kids how to play keeper.

We are focused on having fun and getting better and I have modest expectations. We currently only practice 1 day a week for an hour.

• What have you all done that was successful? If we have 10 girls how many do you work with each session?
• Do you break the keepers out and have them do individualized drills during practice for a bit?
• What drills do you have them start with and then build on?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I remember as a kid we had some pretty bad coaches at times and I don't want our goalkeepers to have bad experiences because I don't know how to teach them.

I have a genuine question about the complaints regarding the age change but want to provide background. I have coached my daughter’s team the past few years and am very excited for the age group change to reflect grade level. Our team is made up of all girls who go to the same school so there’s a great sense of camaraderie. I played through HS and know soccer quite well but they are young enough our focus is on fun and just getting better. Our team has played up because only one of our players had a December birthday. As a result we’ve played teams a grade ahead for a few seasons now and it’s been demoralizing at times. These teams aren’t tactically or technically better at all but just are bigger faster kids. We’ve gotten much better because of it and will definitely be much stronger than the teams we will be grouped with next season.

I am confused by the apparent overwhelming negativity about the age change I see on this sub. Maybe we’re just young but I’m curious if it’s driven by:
- leagues and teams not knowing how to enforce it or allow teams to stick together
- I didn’t live thigh this but it sounds like this is the second age change for some older kids so the thrash and back and forth is upsetting
- Kids who are quite talented now potentially moving less competitive teams that fit their grade level.

Interested in others opinions. Genuinely don’t want to start an argument. I admit I don’t know what I don’t know.