The primary problem here is poor passing. Fighting for a 50/50 (or less) ball is an important, but secondary issue. The player passing the ball needs to consider posession first. Keep the pass on the ground if at all possible at this YOUNG age. Pass the ball in front of the intended receiver and to the opposite side from which the defender is approaching. If passing to the opposite side of the defender's approach requires too much decision making for the girls, have them pass the ball between the sideline and the intended recipient since the receiver will most likely get pressure from the middle of the field. Better yet, pass the ball behind the attacking defender so that she will have to change direction instead of you. Even if your players have to put the ball in the air to switch the field, it should still be behind the defender. I'll bet that the chance to get goal-side on a defender having to change direction while your player is going forward will cure the laziness of your girls. Also, I would not bench any u-11 player for anything except poor conduct. Imagine standing in front of your team and telling them that if any of them makes a mental mistake, they will be singled out in a public forum in front of their teammates, friends, and parents. I'll bet that you would have more mistakes and not less. I know that you wouldn't say that, and we all know that actions speak louder than words. As for fighting for a 50/50 ball, I would stress body position as relates to the ball and the defender, with the defender being my first concern (kind of like rebounding in basketball). I would not turn my back on the ball or the defender, you need to be able to see both things. If the ball gets past you, at least you are going in the right direction. One other thing that may help, a player may be standing there thinking she is in good position to receive a high pass and the ball goes over her head or falls short. This is not intentional, just inexperience. I tell my players that if they are looking up, run away from the ball. If they are looking down, run to the ball. Naturally, this is a generalization. They will only improve by practicing receiving the long ball; over and over. Good Luck!
