Celebrating effort and progress over perfection

Coaches Name: Joe Hill

Club: Abbots Bromley Junior Football Club

Age Group: U7s

What inspired you to get involved in coaching at the grassroots level?  

I wanted to give back and stay involved in the game I love. At U7 it’s less about tactics and more about kids falling in love with football. Seeing them smile, gain confidence, and learn teamwork, that’s the real win. 

How have you found your first season so far, and what has surprised you most?  

It’s been brilliant but chaotic in the best way. What surprised me most is how quickly the players pick things up when they’re enjoying themselves. One week they can’t kick in a straight line, the next they’re scoring and passing. Their energy is infectious.

What are your main priorities when coaching players at U7 level?  

Three things: 1) Making sure they are having fun and come back next week, 2) Building confidence with lots of touches on the ball and time, 3) Teach basics like respect, listening, and being a good teammate. We have our “squad code” Results don’t matter yet.

How do you keep sessions fun and engaging for young players while still developing their skills?  

I hide the learning inside group and paired games, set small achievable personal targets and focus on praise. I try to repeat drills/games and cycle them through sessions to give them opportunities to get more out of them rather than introducing something new every week. This was they feel the development and smiles grow. 

What challenges have you faced so far, and how have you adapted to overcome them?  

Short attention spans and big differences in ability. I’ve learned to keep instructions to 30 seconds, demo everything, and make sure kids aren’t waiting around. My biggest challenge though has been coaching my own child. I try to give him a voice and some responsibilities to focus on. 

Bonus: What does “PB” (Personal Best) mean to you in coaching and player development?

At U7, PB isn’t about being the best on the team. It’s each player improving on what they did last week. If a shy player talks in the huddle, or someone who struggled to kick the ball now gets 3 good passes - that’s their PB. We celebrate effort and progress over perfection.