I'm chacoing U8 this fall in the Southeastern US. I'm conflicted about team size right now.I watch how well the U6 team I coach does just in the basics like dribbling the ball and engaging 1v1 on defense. Our U8 team (5v5 inc GK) has trouble with those two things! It's almost as if having more players on the field absolves the players of personal ownership, or else they have come to the age where they are socially inhibited and worried they will fail.I've started working on positional play but it is another topic that must be taught and use practice time. I've started with trying to go for a diamond for field players one deep defender, wings who run the whole field, and one forward. Problem that pops up is our defender is more likely just to boot the ball forward and not leave the backfield, even with clear field in front of him.I think a lot of it is the parents at this age start hitting the kids (and coach) with a lot of expectations despite being one year removed from playing the herd of cats U6 game.

WOOOOW
I am going to check it out!!
This is what I was looking for!!
PERFECT!!!!!!

In your face Manshite. play like shit, walk away like losers. Manure, the biggest losers. Well it's more to come