What Players Of This Age Want

Module: Master The Opponent: 7-12 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model

TLDR

They want to compete, belong, and enjoy the game. Football is about far more than technique or tactics at this age. Players are exploring who they are, not just as footballers, but as people. They’re forming habits, beliefs, and attitudes that will carry into the next stage of their development.

Players want to compete and succeed through challenges like 1v1s and small-sided games, recognition and encouragement when effort is noticed, fun and freedom to express themselves with skills, clear signs of progress whether through goals or coach feedback, and to feel part of their team and the game itself.

They don’t want overloaded instructions, drills without purpose, criticism with no solution, pressure to win at all costs, or isolation from the group. Coaching this age group is about connection. If I can give players the right balance of challenge, support, and joy, they’ll stay in the game longer.

I manage session energy by starting with success, building to challenge when energy is high, resetting with fun activities, and finishing on a high. Parents can build or break confidence faster than any coach, so I share specific positive observations, set expectations about brave play over safe play, and give them language to focus on effort and bravery.

Cultural differences matter. I know my players’ backgrounds, adjust my approach whilst maintaining standards, and celebrate diversity. Different expressions, same expectations. The best coaches adapt their delivery without compromising their principles. Keep players in the game for as long as possible - that’s the primary goal.

They want to compete. They want to belong. And more than anything, they want to enjoy the game.

Football is about far more than technique or tactics at this age. Players are exploring who they are, not just as footballers, but as people. They’re starting to form habits, beliefs, and attitudes that will carry into the next stage of their development.

That’s why how we coach them matters just as much as what we coach.

What Players Want

To compete and succeed

Players love challenges, especially 1v1s and small-sided games where they can show what they can do and feel the reward of success.

Recognition and encouragement

Confidence grows when effort is noticed. A small comment at the right time can fuel a player for the rest of the session.

Fun and freedom

At this stage, players enjoy expressing themselves. They want chances to try nutmegs, feints, and skills without being shut down.

Clear signs of progress

Players stay engaged when they know they’re improving. That could be a goal, a new move, or a coach pointing out a moment of growth.

To feel part of something

Football is social. Players want to belong to their team, their coach, and the game itself.

What Players Don’t Want

Overloaded instructions

When coaches say too much, players remember nothing. Stick to one or two clear messages at a time.

Drills without purpose

Players can tell when a practice isn’t connected to the game. They want to know how it helps them, and they want to enjoy doing it.

Criticism with no solution

Pointing out a mistake without offering a way forward doesn’t help. Players want to learn, but they need to feel safe doing it.

Pressure to win at all costs

Competition is important, but not if it kills confidence. If the focus is always on the result, players stop taking risks.

Isolation

Every player wants to be involved. Even the quiet ones. Even the ones who are still learning. Especially them.

The Coaching Balance

Coaching this age group is about more than sessions. It’s about connection. If we can give players the right balance of challenge, support, and joy, they’ll stay in the game longer, and they’ll grow because of it.

Keep players in the game for as long as possible. That’s the primary goal.

Session Energy Management

• Start with success – Begin with an activity they’re good at to build confidence
• Build to challenge – Introduce new learning when energy is high
• Reset with fun – Use a game they love to maintain engagement
• Finish on a high – Let them show off what they can do

Players remember how they felt at the end, not what happened in the middle.

The Parent Partnership

At this stage, parents are watching their children discover whether they’re “good at football” or not. Your partnership with them shapes how players see themselves.

• After each session: Share one specific positive observation
• Set expectations: “At this age, beating players and losing the ball is better than playing safe”
• Give them the language: “I loved how you tried to beat that defender today”
• Focus their attention: Ask them to notice effort and bravery, not just goals

Parents can build or break confidence faster than any coach. Make them part of the development process, not judges on the sideline.

Cultural Differences Matter

Not every player expresses joy or frustration the same way. Some cultures value quiet focus, others celebrate loudly. Some expect direct instruction, others learn through exploration.

• Know your players’ backgrounds – Understand their family’s relationship with sport
• Adjust your approach – Connection looks different for everyone
• Maintain your standards – Different expressions, same expectations
• Celebrate diversity – Different styles make teams stronger

The best coaches adapt their delivery without compromising their principles.

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model