The Coaches' Room
7v7U11Confidence & Behaviour

How much responsibility should an U11 captain actually have?

Asked by VickyInGuildford
315 views 3 replies
I have seen captains doing the coin toss, leading warm-ups, organising huddles and even speaking to the referee. Some of that seems useful and some feels like adults handing over jobs for the sake of it. What responsibility is genuinely developmental at this age?

VERIFIED COACH ANSWER

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

UEFA C Coach

Sports Psychology Level 3 • younger-player environment

Why don't we show coach names?
I’d give the captain jobs that help other players rather than jobs that make them look like a mini-adult coach. Coin toss, helping the team get together before kick-off, encouraging teammates and setting a good example are all useful. They can also speak respectfully to the referee when needed, but I would not make an U11 responsible for managing officials or correcting teammates. Leading a warm-up can be good if the player wants the challenge and knows what they are doing. It does not need to become a performance every week. I’d rotate the captaincy as well. At this age, leadership is learning to help the group. It is not a badge that gives one child extra authority over everyone else.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the conversation with other coaches. 3 replies

E

EmmaD

Community Member

I rotate it and give each captain one responsibility. One might lead the huddle, another checks everyone is ready for kick-off. I would rather they learn small leadership behaviours than perform a long list of captain jobs.
M

Mark

Parent who also coaches

Rotating it matters too. Otherwise the armband becomes another way of telling the same confident child they are the leader.
C

CharlieP

Club Volunteer / Official

Coin toss, encourage teammates, set standards. Enough for me.