So, what is being an Under 11 all about ???
While we understand that the kids of today
have an abundance of interests other than football, it is nonetheless
necessary to ensure that if intending to play football it is a commitment
and requires the appropriate responsible attitude by the person. Thus
we need strong parental encouragement to allow the kids to develop because
a lot of the skills necessary are honed away from training. To play
this game involves training the body to do what is basically unnatural
movements. Kicking a ball, on the run or the dodging and weaving, spinning
and tumbling, tackling and marking are all achieved only with practice
and persistence. Those that are motivated to train will appreciate and
enjoy the game better than those who don't. It is also very unfair to
be playing in a team if only to make up numbers.
Games.
Apart from the teamwork and commitment
theme, a major focus on game day has been giving everyone a go. The
coaching team has developed a system to record the positions played
each quarter with the aim of ensuring that no-one spends more than one
quarter on the interchange bench and to give the kids the chance to
play in a number of zones throughout the game.
It is worth pointing out though that this
system will not work perfectly every week. Sometimes, the numbers will
mean that some kids will not spend any time on the bench. Secondly,
whilst it is important to let kids play in a variety of positions, we
must also begin preparing them to play in Under 12s next year when they
will be expected to remain in the same zone for the whole game. This
may mean that some children will play up to two quarters in the same
part of the ground.
In the final washup, we will make every
attempt to balance on field time and positional play evenly across the
team through the season. To achieve this, we will need to balance weeks
off against one another rather than taking a quarter by quarter approach.
Finally, we will attempt to reward those
kids who turn up to games on time by giving the first 15 who arrive
at the ground a place in the on field team in the first quarter.
Awards
As with previous seasons, three awards
will be presented for each game. The main criterion used when selecting
players to receive these awards will be adherence to the philosophy
of teamwork and commitment. Those kids who do the small things to help
out teammates, are unselfish and follow the directions from the coaches
are far more likely to receive these awards than those who simply get
the greatest number of possessions.
It is also worth noting that we will make
every effort to ensure that the same names do not keep appearing in
the best players on a regular basis.
Timings for Training
and Games.
Under 11 games are normally played on
Saturday mornings at 10.45am on a home and away basis within the ACT,
Yass and Queanbeyan district. Players are expected to arrive at the
ground by at least 10.00am.
Training is held on Wednesday afternoons
5.30 - 7.00pm at Amaroo Oval. The lights are on so training is always
on - unless ground closure due to rain.
What happens at and
away from training ???
Whilst the focus at training will continue
to be on the development of hand and foot skills, we have also begun
to introduce a range of drills to emphasis the need to work with others.
This include pairs and threes exercises and circle work.
We will introduce more complex drills
to develop a basic understanding of the need to gain and keep possession
of the football and move it forward by hand balling to a teammate who
is in a better position to dispose of it.
To assist the coaches, basic skills of
kicking, marking and handball should be practiced away from training
nights and in that sense we ask parents to encourage the kids and support
them in achieving this. The difficulty the kids new to the game face
is in trying to take in so much about actually playing the game while
still coming to terms with fundamental skills, at an age that normally
they would (or should) have had probably a couple of years up their
sleeve in learning the basics. So any help to make this transition phase
enjoyable is appreciated.
In any case, we will spend what time we
can on improving each player so that hopefully by the end of the season
they will have improved by at least 15-20%.
What to wear for games
and training?
The club will provide socks and shorts
for each boy which you get to keep (all part of the membership cost).
Jumpers are provided at the beginning of the season and you are responsible
for this and returning it at the end of the season (unless the manager
has organised an alternative approach).
Normal game-day playing attire is boots,
socks, shorts and jumper. However !!! This is Canberra and winter is
cold. Skivvy's under jumpers are ok on the colder days (both long and
short-sleeved guernseys). The emphasis is to have fun, not freeze to
death. It might be worthwhile also having a spare set of clothes for
occasions where the wet has entirely soaked through the gear.
Training attire is generally whatever
will maintain warmth but will not impede on movement. For instance,
tracksuits, old footy jumpers etc are common. Remember that as training
involves some physical activities i.e. tackling, then clothes that parents
would not like to see ripped or obliterated should not be worn.
Boots.
The club has a 'boot pool' where you can
purchase a set of pre loved boots for a small fee (please see one of
the committee or coaching staff about this) but mostly you will need
to organise purchase yourself. It is strongly recommended that proper
football boots are purchased for players that include the flexibility
of playing in both wet and dry conditions. The grounds in Canberra are
generally soft enough in winter to enable boots with larger stops to
be worn. Moulded soles and Grass-sports type boots can lead to slipping
in adverse conditions.
While on slipping, a recommendation is
for higher cut boots i.e. those with protection around the ankles, to
assist in supporting and holding firm the developing bones and ligaments.
Though it may not look cool it will provide some assistance to stop
rolling over on the ankles (without the need for strapping). If getting
these boots is difficult, then at least look for the tie-up ankle braces
which are readily available.
Also, keep an eye on the actual size of
the footwear as players at this age tend to find an inch or two etc
over the season so it may be wise to have a bit of give.
Mouthguards.
We wish to advise all parents that the
club has a mouthguard policy whereby all players must wear
one. While the Under 11 competition applies minimal tackling rules
it nonetheless has other opportunities for accidents around the face.
Accidental head clashes do occur and footballs, arms, hands and knees
etc do hit kids in the face, besides, starting early encourages good
habits for later in life when the kids join the competition level teams.
Headgear (Helmets).
Protective headgear is not compulsory
but for parent peace of mind as well as helping players gain confidence
then we strongly recommended its usage. No one is discouraged from appearing
on the field with one on or suddenly deciding to wear one when they
haven't previously. Players should not be discouraged from wearing headgear
- especially if friends or other players want to ridicule them either.
Drink Bottles.
The 11's are supplied with water during
games but we strongly support and welcome the practice of players supplying
their own bottles. This is primarily to get them into a habit of using
their own equipment and being responsible for keeping fluid intake up.
For training, the players are encouraged
also to bring their own water bottles.
Junior AFC
against the round it means that a match report exists so click on it
to go to that report.