On a drizzle-filled morning, U12 training was taken by Sgt Major Vinnie, Simon & Marco whilst Coach Paul was tan-topping in Portugal (no he was definitely working, there's no way he would miss footy for anything) and Coach Andy was tanning himself in the rain in Devon.

Sgt Major Jenkinson started the session with his SAS fitness drills, nasty stuff, not for the faint-hearted. The supportive parents on the sidelines were offered the opportunity to join in however it it was obvious that somewhere in the Covid-19 guidance from the FA that parents shouldn't be exposing themselves to this level of risk or exertion!

This was followed by Marco's bemusing "Triangle Drills". Trying to instill crisp, accurate passing. "If we control our passing, we control the game", (the theory is sound at least). Then onto a match with both Simon & Vinnie instructing various tactics to the mob.

Just like the FA Cup draw balls, this morning we disinfected our balls and football retuned to Plaistow Rd and so did the rain.
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We held 2 sessions of 2 groups of 4 in each lasting 45 mins so that players could leave before others arrived.

Andy ran the fitness drills putting players through their paces and they rotated on to close touch skills session. Marco was by far the standout player for his Samba skills on the Toe toe Brazil style skill in the first session and Jody was getting the hang of it by the end of the 2nd. We then moved to 2 drills building on decision making, passing and smashing the ball into the back of the net or the woods if they missed.

In spite of the rain it was great to be back and see the players again.

The Vipers played Ewhurst Tigers and ran out the 3-2 losers is what was a very tight game. The report from Coach Paul was "An amazing game, a really tricky pitch but we dominated for large parts and played some great football. George was truly immense sweeping up at the back and as always kept us in the game when they had a few clear cut opportunities. Talk at half time though was was Cams shot from the halfway line? Some said it was from West Sussex but whatever it was a sweet strike and William also added it was with the outside of the boot, classy. All scrapped hard and the watching Ewhurst Tigers team will be having sleepless nights knowing we are back next week to play them."

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​The Cobras were in training taken by Simon. He reported that "​The boys had a good session looking at passing and movement off the ball."

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​With the Christmas decorations barely back in their boxes the u11 were back on the training pitch in preparation for league action due to recommence the following week.

The weather was kind, dry and not too chilly either, a perfect start for 2020. An impressive turn out from both the boys and parents with  coaches Andy and Simon keen to blow away the excesses and inactivity of their own festive periods ! 

Simon put them through their early paces, with some fitness and stamina work to follow with the dreaded ladder making it's first appearance of the season.

Some goalkeeper drills next for some working on their reflexes and distribution skills, with George impressing with some great technique and assured handling. Simon also working on ball retention and possession with the other group. Next up some ball control and first time passing drills to get used to the feel of the round thing again. 

The boys were keen to get to a game and with numbers perfect for a 7 a side it was to be a good post xmas workout. The match emphasis was to be focused on attacking with pace and moving the ball quickly once in the opponents half, with limited touches going forward once in the attacking half. A confident first touch with a head up to release,  movement off the ball was also going to be vital.

Raff and Ben combining well early on for the 'non bibs' only to find an injury free Angus back to his terrier like best at the back and George making some fine stops in goal. As the game went on the boys started to find their feet so to speak with the aim of the game. The goals soon came with an impressive strike from Charlie a cheeky 'left footer' from Jody, with time up the sides could not be separated at 2-2, straight to penalties to try and settle it. After some fine penalties the 'bibs' finally triumphed with George proving the hero in goal.

A good start to 2020 to ready the boys for the challenges that lie ahead in the league from next weekend.

​Great training session today which for some reason we ran at the early time of 8-8.50. Although a quick session we packed in some pass and move drills and quick press then a match. Some cheeky football was on show but my player of the day goes to Sylvester for some great positional play and last man defensive tackling.
Then we all legged it.........

In our second week of the new season the whole group were delighted to have two extremely well attended training sessions (20+) - including our first session at the hallowed grail of tier 9 football on Thursday night - Loxwood FC!!!!

If anyone wants more info on midweek training and is not in the Whatsapp group please let Andy Leete know.

On Saturday we welcomed Covey who looked very a very useful addition.

The training this week focussed on this years priorites on placing players into primary positions, playing on larger pitches and the introduction of offside. Drills included a dedicated goalkeeper session and games of playing into the channels on the half-size pitch as well as learning how to shoot from distance and have players follow-up. 

I didn't see the training game to finish it all off myself (as I had to get myself to Tottenham!) however Charlie reports that it was a 6-2 in which he scored, Sam Vettese, he thinks there was an own goal and hasn't a clue who scored the other! I am sure if it was in a YouTube video or something built on Mindcraft he would be a world expert on it. Either way he enjoyed it.

A big thank you too all the parents who assisted with the expert lining out of the pitch at Great Common on Saturday!!!! The results look very professional and you were fighting against an odd set of measurements - including some mysterious terminology of feet and yards :-) - specific thanks to Simon, Marco, Willem and Andy (I hope I didn't miss anyone).

We have matches next week. The coaches have the fixtures worked out from a meeting that they attended this week. I will post in here once received and as always keep an eye on the Whatsapp group for weekly catch-ups!

​Much excitement at the Stadia de Broadbridge Heath last night as the 2nd installment of “Giving the U10s a schooling in real football talent” took place as the boys trained on the pitch alongside the U10 parents who decided to have a 2nd go of the season themselves. The parents booked their courts side by side with the children in an obvious attempt to provide a demonstration of Barcelona-esque total football to the young Ronaldo, Messi and Kanes wannabees who would long remember the quality of football on show :-)
 
Right from the start the “talent” was on show with my own very special “trap the ball dummy” that foxed everyone. Jane made her debut for Loxwood U10s parents which she actually admitted turned out to be her football career debut! Well done Jane, looking forward to seeing your career progress!
 
After a quick warm by the players and a 12-hour kit change by Jeremy a 3x3 match started. Intricate passing was shown all across the pitch -  Jeremy with some slick turns, Marco commanding his defensive area and Andy slick on the pitch and on his phone in equal measure.
 
The arrival of Vinny, Sarah and Samuel (Harry J older brother) resulted in a 4 v 4. Highlights included:

• Sarah 1:1 attempt with Vinny in goal who wasn’t letting that in – if Sarah had score it would have been an epic tale in the Jenkinsons history book and bedroom for years to come I’m sure
• Jeremy performing an attempted “clothes line” tackle on Garth – “honest, I didn’t see you”
• Samuels new “party trick” of standing on the ball and landing on his face – twice!
• Garth performing good impressions of his grandfather coughing up 3 ounces of tar in the morning after smoking 40 a day for 50 years.

Not sure what was more entertaining? The boys passing "to me, to you" on the pitch or our own very own Chuckle Brothers playing "to me, to you" with the goalposts!

Coach Pauls Training and Match Report update......

2nd week back for some but most it was the 1st. Great to see you all back but looking forward to the return of smiley Ben and the Man City legend Cam.

The boys were put through some fitness conditioning to start with however with a player short Andy stepped up to show that he can still mix it with the best, well for a couple of minutes anyway.

Focus then turned to prep for next week and the teams set about the match looking for space and some lovely interchange play. Many standout moments but special mention for Charlie for probably his best football for Loxwood, Ben for his hard fought goal, Luc for some key interceptions and Marco for standing up to the onslaught in goal. Brilliant to see both Kelsey and Sebby settle right in but well done to today’s player of the day Raffy for his bone breaking tackles and attitude which bosses the pitch.

And with what I would like to make a regular feature please find below a post match interview with one of our fearless heros. Well in this case it's Charlie but you get the point.....