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For parent coachesWhy everyone chases the ball:
and what to do
Every parent and every new coach asks the same thing. Why do they all run at the ball, and how do I stop it? The short answer: it is normal, and you mostly do not.
At U6 to U8, the swarm is not a problem to fix.
Why it happens
The ball is the fun part, and young children go where the fun is. They see the ball, not the space around it. They are also not thinking about teammates yet. At five or six, the game is me and my ball. A child running at the ball is doing exactly what a five-year-old should do.
Why you should leave it alone
Shouting “spread out” does not work, because they do not yet understand why they should. Giving a six-year-old a position often means they stand still and stop playing. In the swarm they get touches, they compete and they have fun. Those are the things they need.
When it fades
Coach only your two points, celebrate them loudly, and let the game be a swarm. Over time, kids start to notice space on their own. By second grade it usually starts to spread out, and at U9, positions and a bigger field take care of a lot of it.
What actually helps
- Play on small fields, with fewer players on each. Two or three small games beat one big one.
- Use two goals at each end, so a crowded goal teaches them to turn and find the open one.
- Play games where players must look up to find space.
- Freeze the game now and then, and point to the open space.
Games that teach it
- Space Man: whoever is in the most space wins the points.
- 4v4 Four-Goal Game: two goals to attack at each end.
- End Zone Game: score by dribbling into space behind a defender.
What to say from the sideline
“Can you find a teammate?”
Every practice, already written
You should not have to plan every session on your own. Each season curriculum gives you one page per session and an animated video of every activity. Read it in the car, set out your cones and coach.
Questions coaches ask
At what age do kids stop swarming?
It usually starts to fade around second grade and keeps fading as players learn positions at U9.
Should I assign positions at U6?
No. Let them chase the ball. Positions can wait until U9.
A parent keeps yelling “spread out.” What should I do?
Explain that the swarm is normal at this age, and ask them to cheer instead.
Free activities with video ›Free practice plans ›What to expect at U6 ›