ALL our clubs are now back in full swing at underage level. Across Ulster, leagues are back in action from u-11 right up to minor level.

This week my article is inspired by something I saw on my travels across the country recently. I passed a rural GAA pitch and close by there was a garage. I stopped for a coffee and as I climbed back into the car I glanced across and a training game was taking place between two underage teams.

It looked like an u-13 panel and they were playing full pitch. It’s amazing that during training, particularly at that age group, some coaches still play 15v15. The benefits of the smaller sided games far outweigh those of the bigger game.

Some of the benefits of playing small sided games for our young players:

– Constant decision-making opportunities.

– It develops thinking footballers and improves their communication.

– More 2v2, 2v1 and 3v2 attacking and defending situations.

– Constant directional changes and game-related movements.

– Helps the players understand how to create and exploit space.

– Players experience performing skills under pressure.

– Players can learn how to make and break tackles.

– It develops certain life skills such as working as part of a team, communication, social interaction while it encourages the development of early leadership qualities.

Last week I talked about the benefits of a good blitz. The enjoyment, fun and development the lads in our school got last week was startling. They haven’t stopped talking about it all week.

The biggest stand-out factor for me was the enjoyment. The young lads, particularly those on the periphery, will want to come back for more. Picture the young lad though in the 15v15 game who we will call Niall. He is standing in at corner-forward in a game dominated by the bigger middle players. Niall doesn’t touch the ball for 10 minutes or might not touch the ball at all.

While the coaches try to engage with the bigger numbers in the game, they may not even mention Niall’s name throughout the session. This is where interest declines and children lose self-esteem and confidence.

If the 15v15 match was broken up into three 5v5 games, Niall would touch the ball much more, he would hear coaches praising him, he would be much more involved and he would leave training feeling much better about himself.

Ultimately as an underage coach if your sole interest is about winning then that’s not healthy for you or the players. I spoke to a few coaches in some of our feeder clubs recently as I would constantly ask about the development and progress of the youngsters that are in our school as I feel strong school-club links are important.

Some interesting thoughts emerged. One in particular was about the different ethos of coaches within the clubs. One coach was solely intent on winning and doesn’t tend to play the younger lads or lads who maybe aren’t the most dominant. He focuses on the superior players and sometimes even those who don’t attend training.

This can be unhealthy because, as I have always said, all young people within the group should be entitled to play our games regardless of their ability levels.

These lads might not necessarily play senior football but they could become an integral part of the club as a secretary, chairman, groundsman or selling the lotto.

As a coach you need to develop as many good young people in your club, not just players, as you possibly can. Develop them in the values that are important not just in sport but in life, things like discipline, respect, commitment and industry.

These are all vital components in whatever direction they go in life, and all of it can be achieved through coaching and games.

The power of the coach is not be underestimated.