Head Space Daily Words...

Several weeks ago, I wrote a report on my Under 9s football team's first match of the season and spoke of the half time biscuit break, when a packet of custard creams was cracked open (HSD Words 7th January.) The football was then rained off for several weeks and after an outing in the cup on the previous weekend, last Sunday saw us back in League action. For the first half, we played beautifully, putting into practice all that we had been learning in training - defending resolutely, passing down the line, breaking quickly and working as a team. At half time we were 2-0 in the lead. The problem was they felt like they had already won the game. 'Can I go to the toilet' one of them piped up and before I knew it, all of my players had been lost to a communal toilet visit, whilst the opposition manager gave a rousing team talk to his side. My lot came back from their toilet trip, in three separate groups of footballing urchins, with their minds elsewhere and we eventually lost out 6-3. In their defence, we had no substitutes, whilst the other team had three rolling subs. To expect seven, eight or nine year olds to be able to concentrate for the entire fifty minutes, is a big ask, let alone keep the pace up for that time. Next week though, I am reverting back to biscuits. The half time biccy break will become a regular feature - to both keep their attention, as well as giving them renewed energy. The custard creams are on order...