Idman.biz
Little feet, figures running fast on the field and serious looks - this is how the U8 team of the "Ulduz" football academy looks during training. On the large field, they only occupy a small area and resemble small dots when viewed from afar.
Working with children at this age may seem difficult. But the head coach of the team, Sadiq Eyvazi, says in his conversation with Idman.Biz: "Working with children is more comfortable than working with adults. This is my environment. Of course, there are peculiarities: you have to know psychology, you have to be able to understand the child. Sometimes there are those who cry and get offended in training - you have to pull them aside, calm them down, hug them. I treat each of them like my own child, so I don't have any difficulties."
The coach's approach is immediately evident. In addition to reprimanding, he shouts "Excellent!", and although the children smile, they immediately return to a serious expression - because training requires responsibility.
However, there are many difficulties. "We teach the alphabet of football from scratch," explains Sadiq Eyvazi. Sometimes you have to repeat the same thing not once or twice, but a hundred times, so that the child fully grasps it. Children see football as a game, but our goal is to teach them real football."
The coach states that patience is the main condition here, but when necessary, strictness is also important: "You can't always laugh, because the child won't take it seriously. Sometimes you have to say it sternly so that he understands: training requires discipline and it's not like going out and playing in the yard."
According to him, one of the biggest problems in children's football is parents. "Every day I hear: 'Why isn't my child playing?' or 'Mine is faster, stronger' Sometimes they even interfere on the field. I always say: say whatever you want at home, but the coach makes the decision in training."
"Football has become more popular"
Sadiq Eyvazi emphasizes that interest in football has increased in Azerbaijan. Sometimes more than a hundred children come to the selections, but not everyone is accepted - others are directed to other groups so that they do not lose interest.
"We look at physical indicators in the selection, and we also pay attention to the height of the parents in order to get an approximate idea of what the child will be like in the future. Height gives an advantage in speed, and is a key factor for goalkeepers. Of course, there are exceptions - like Messi, Maradona. There are also examples in Azerbaijan: Elvin Jafarguliyev is not tall, but he achieved success thanks to his character and desire. But if both height is low and there is no desire, then nothing will work out."
"At what age should you bring a child to football?" the coach answers: 5-6 years old.
"Potential is visible at this age, but it is only possible to say whether he will become a professional at the age of 13-14. Some shine early, some mature late. In the end, those who have a better ability to think and understand the game remain."
Sadiq muallim also adds that only children who love sports can move forward: "Sometimes parents force the child. We don't keep such children."
Idman.Biz was also able to talk to one of the little footballers of the U8 team. Little Elchin shows with his fingers that he is 5 years old and says that he came to training on his own. But the most difficult question for him is about his last name: "I don't know," he answers with a smile…
Leyla Eminova
Photo: Islam Atakishiyev
