This weekend saw me coaching both U11s sides I'm involved with in what turned out to be very competitive games. And this weekend I have seen both the fantastic and not so fantastic sides of people involved with youth football.
My Saturday side had a home game against a team we've not played before. The match itself was a cracker that finished in a 1-1 draw, but there was an unpleasant undertone from the opposition players, coach and supporters almost from the off. Our ref, like many other refs on a Saturday morning, isn't qualified, but is a qualified coach and also a deputy head at a local school. He gives what he sees and explains every single decision in a clear way so that no-one is in any doubt as to what he's given and why he's given it. There were two players in particular that argued almost every decision that went against them. This isn't great at the best of times, but when it's coming from ten year olds you have to question where they're getting it from. I soon found out... My team watch Match Of The Day as much as anyone else, but we've taught them not to argue decisions. I'm sure they will as they get older, but at the moment it simply doesn't happen. During the second half a free kick wasn't given to our opponents because the ref thought they had a clear advantage. As it happens they made a couple of decisions that cost them that advantage but play continued. The assistant coach was heard to swear loudly in front of my subs before running around to the other side of the pitch where he started remonstrating with the ref. At this point some of the parent supporters joined in. It can only be described as unpleasant and even their linesman standing near me was embarrassed. Shortly afterwards a free kick was given against a player for pushing. He clearly used both hands to shove someone in the back and immediately started arguing when the whistle was blown. At this point he told the ref to "get a grip of your game". It's not the sort of game I want to be involved in...
I was asked to help out my son's Sunday side as their regular coach was doing his Youth Award Module 3 training. The team play in the Chiltern Sunday league in division 1 and they are a very capable bunch of players. They were due to play Luton Old Boys in a league match at the Luton Recreation ground and I was expecting it to be another really tough game. Say what you like about Luton, but if you're not from there, it's not got a great reputation! We didn't start too well, in fact it was a bit of a disaster. We were 0-4 down after 20 minutes and it didn't look too good but a free kick worthy of MOTD status got it back to 1-4 at half time. The truth be told it was actually 4 mistakes that cost the goals, so the half time talk was really positive. What happened next was an absolutely amazing advert for all that is brilliant with youth football. After conceding a goal almost from the kick off, an incredible 20 minutes saw the scores at 6-6. The 50 or so people watching were enthralled and everyone was praying for the ref to blow for full time. The home side forced a last chance and when the long-range shot was fumbled by our keeper into his own net, their linesman actually slumped and said "oh no, I can't believe that". When I asked him what he meant he said "that was such an amazing game that it should've finished in a draw". The final whistle went and we lost the game 6-7 but the applause from both sets of supporters showed me why I love coaching kids football. I'd happily be involved in games like that every week and the contrast between the two games was remarkable.
I reckon I could guess which coach has done more coaching badges and has done the Youth Module Awards...
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