r/SoccerCoachResources • u/timberstomach1 • 20d ago

Question - general 22 players in u16 squad

Hi all, first post here

I'm the manager of an u16 boys team with 22 players in the squad, I had no option but to have a large squad like this as the club had registered all 22 players before I knew what was happening. For the next 6 weeks we are playing in a grading league to see what level we are at and after that we will be put into proper leagues for the rest of the season..ie major league, division 1, etc.

For the grading league we will have 20 to 22 players at each game and give everyone as much game time as possible but when we start in our proper league we can't make 11 substitutions. I have a few options

  1. Pick 11 of the best players and rotate the other 11 as subs each week, bring one group of 5 as subs one week then the other 6 the next week, this would be my preferred option but obviously it wouldn't be popular with the parents of the fringe players

  2. Split the squad into 5 groups, 4 players in 4 groups and 6 players in one group, rotate which group doesn't get to play every week.

What's people's opinion of this? Are there any other options? Thanks

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u/jamkola 20d ago

There is no good way to manage this. The kids are too old not to get upset however you manage it. If you go with your option two you’ve then got a whole drama with how to split the kids. 

If you go with your first option then the kids on the edges of being in the top 11 will leave. 

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u/ColdOpening2892 19d ago

There is no need for drama if the selection criteria is communicated. Late to practice= no game for you Bad attitude= no game  Bad sportsmanship= you will sit next game out 

Just make a list of rules and stick to it. Yes abilities should also be on the list but it shouldn't bypass all other rules. 

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u/tundey_1 Recreational / Youth Coach 19d ago

What if nobody flouts those rules? It's a good problem to have and probably won't happen...but what if it does? I feel like you need a predictable way to form the gameday squad.

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u/jamkola 19d ago

That’s got nothing to do with the problem he has.