Appropriate Modifications

U6 & U7

The objective in this age group is for both teams to score multiple goals. If both teams score 3 or more goals, the game is a success for everyone. Losing 10 to 4 with 4 goals to celebrate feels better to the players at this age than losing 3 to 0.

Having outstanding players score a number of goals then sit back on defense is not acceptable. The adjustments made should try to allow for some offensive success for the weaker team, so that offensive success for the stronger team does not have to be restricted very much, if at all.

Here are some suggestions to help teams meet that goal:

• Communicating with the other coach, the dominating team can agree to put on a weaker line while the other team puts on a stronger line.
• Do not put a dominant player back on defense. Tell the dominant player to stay in the offensive half only so that the other team has a chance to score. On rare occasions a team may need to assign 2 players to the offensive half to give the other team a chance to score.
• If a player has scored more than 3 goals in a short amount of time, CONGRATULATE them, that’s awesome! Then encourage them to pass to teammates instead of taking the shot. This can be a hard sell, but encourage the exceptional player to do so in the name of challenging themselves, and most importantly being a good sport.

Exceptional players should not feel like they are being punished for being able to score goals, but rather you are encouraging them to improve on a new skill, like passing, because they are ready for it. Please talk to the parents of these players to make sure they are not encouraging the player in a way that will make them resist your instruction.

We need to work together to create a positive environment for all players in these younger age groups.