The PR problem of defence in youth football

Children often see being placed in defence as some sort of insult or punishment. Youth coaches also see it as somewhere to stick big kids who can win the ball and kick it away. In reality, especially at the younger ages, playing in defence offers considerable development opportunities. It helps the player develop a sense of positioning and allows them to build defensive skills of tackling and heading which are useful in any position. A coach who encourages his defenders to pass and improves their ability to do so will create a team with a counter attacking capability. Many players actually enjoy playing in a defensive position as it allows you to be involved in the game. Your responsibilities are often much clearer than they can be in midfield.

However, the fundamental attraction of football for many children is the excitement of scoring a goal. Players of this age place huge importance on the scoring of a goal. I have been asked by children this season that if they will be able to score a goal if they are in a certain position as their first thought about the role. This is never going to change and should be encouraged. The negative connotation of playing in defence needs to change however.

I feel that some of this comes from the parents. While many parents are absolutely perfect and understanding, a minority can cause problems. They will tell their child that they should be playing in attack - as if it is some form of promotion - and will often first ask "did you score today?" rather than "did you have fun today?". The child will sometimes lose self-confidence or self worth as they did not score and therefore did not do well. One of the greatest problems for a manager in youth football is the unhappy parent. However much a player may like and respect you, the parent's opinion will almost always trump your own (usually more qualified) opinion. A source of considerable parent dissatisfaction is the position their child is placed in. This almost always seems to stem from their child being placed in defence and not being rotated. The parent rarely seems to have a problem if their child is playing as a forward or a midfielder every week. This problem is deeply rooted within the physche of the casual observer of football.

Ray Winstone demonstrating
correct practice

I have heard of several instances already this season of parents expressing dissatisfaction with the manager because they have "stuck" their child "at the back", as if the manager is attempting to ignore the child. Whilst I have no doubt that some coaches operate that way, the majority do not and the attitude of the parent is unhelpful. It strengthens the fallacy in the player's mind that the coach is punishing the player or does not rate them. It is strange that this is far less of a problem at the professional level. Defenders such as John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Carlos Pujol are feted as world stars and many children wear shirts bearing their name. Some of these children then get upset if they are placed in defence.

This is not a critical problem for youth football. Many children do in fact realise the value of defending and many actively enjoy it. Children should be rotated and given chances to play in different positions as it develops their game and I am certainly not suggesting that players should be played in defence all the time. The PR problem that defence seems to have in youth football is one it could do without and as we continue to develop our grassroots techniques and philosophy I'm sure it will be worked upon. Until then, individual coaches will have to work hard to rid defence of its stigma.