Adam Edwards

Another solid training session for AJ tonight.

5 nights a week he’s training and every session it’s 100% effort. His development is showing for it 📈⚽️

The real purpose of U7/U8 football?

✔ Learning to be a great teammate
✔ Learning how to handle losing
✔ Learning that mistakes help us grow
✔ Learning to support others

The scoreboard fades.
The lessons last. ⚽✨

U7 & U8 Coaches — can we talk about winning for a second?

Not the scoreline.
The real win.

At 6, 7, 8 years old… winning looks different.

Winning is:

A player who was scared last week asking for the ball today.

Someone trying a turn and losing it… but trying it again.

A quiet child shouting “my ball!” for the first time.

A team-mate picking someone up off the floor.

That’s development.

At this age, we’re not building a league table team.
We’re building confident footballers.

Let them:
⚽ Dribble and make mistakes
⚽ Play in different areas
⚽ Solve problems
⚽ Enjoy the chaos a little

Because the truth is, the best 7-year-old isn’t always the best 14-year-old.

But the child who loves the game?
Who feels brave?
Who isn’t afraid to try?

They’re the ones who stay.

So this week at training, ask yourself:
Did they learn?
Did they smile?
Did they try?

If the answer’s yes — you’re doing it right.

JPL night tonight and I get to stand back and watch him instead of coaching him 🤩⚽️

I recently watched a video that raised a thought I can’t ignore.

A young player under 9s was released from his team.
Not because of behaviour.
Not because of effort.
But because he was deemed “not good enough on the ball”.

At nine years old.

This is where youth football continues to lose its way.

If a coach believes a child is “not good enough” at U9s, the uncomfortable truth is this: the issue isn’t the child it’s the coach’s ability to teach, support, and develop.

When a child lacks technical ability at that age, it is not a reflection of the child. It is a reflection of the coaching environment around them. Development is the responsibility of the coach — that’s the job description.

Children do not develop in straight lines. Some improve early, others later. Some need time, patience, and repetition. Writing off a child before they’ve even reached double digits isn’t talent identification — it’s ego-driven decision-making.

Early physical or technical advantages are often mistaken for long-term potential. They aren’t the same thing. What truly matters at these ages is confidence, enjoyment, curiosity, and a love for the game. Remove those, and you remove the foundation required for any meaningful development.

Discarding young players doesn’t raise standards. It narrows opportunity. It damages self-belief. And in many cases, it drives children away from football altogether.

Youth football needs a reset in perspective.
Development over selection.
Learning over labels.
Kids over outcomes.

That’s what the game should be about.

https://youtu.be/gqfKTszqUKg?si=ZE7cuT8e049J12-I

A week in the life of a 8 year old footballer | New team Same Number Welcome to Lad and Dad United!New Team, same Number and Same AJ!!We’re a football-loving father and son duo, sharing our journey in grassroots football. AJ (...