ROLLING BALL

80-90%. Undoubtedly we want our players to get as many touches of the ball as possible, we encourage thought behind every touch, we encourage players to stay on the ball until its right to move it on.

We should encourage  players to dribble and run with the ball as much as possible, they will be challenged to ensure there is a reason to their action.

Players should be helped to think ahead of where the ball is now to where could the ball be in the next action and what do I do now to make that happen.

There will be lots of demand to master the ball to be able to think clearly about the next action to make a good decision.

Using futsal can speed up the game to demand more ball mastery and a need to think ahead due to the small size of the court and the speed of the ball.

MOVEMENT & THE SKILFUL PLAYER

Children love to move and run around with their friends. Agility, Balance and Co-ordination is the foundation for all sport. Sessions must encompass the ABC’s either with or without a ball.

Please note often with limited contact  time we should  try to have a ball at a child's feet as much as possible.

Sessions to should combine movement practise but with a trigger, this will improve the cognitive function of reaction to an action that enhances perception, scanning and where children focus their attention.

Having a question at the forefront of planning, “is this going to make the players more skillful?” will be part of session design.

Proprioception to know where you need to be and how you can use action whilst thinking about the next stage of play.

VOICE - 2

OWNERSHIP - We are here to improve a child's life skills as well as football skills, and therefore must allow children to make their own decisions. Starting with easy simple decisions can be powerful if the child feels like its their own decision, confidence grows and they start to understand themselves and their interests.

There will be chances to react to teammates or opponents decisions. We encourage creativity and decision making and risk taking without fear of failure.

Ownership will help improve a player as a footballer as well as make them more confident as a person.

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RELATED TO GAME

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We must always come back to have game related practise to transfer what they are learning into match day situations. At the end of the session have the players participated in something that relates to the game?

This does not mean we always  have to play Small sided 5v5 or 7v7  games though. We encourage  1v1 , 2v2 , 3v3 games etc or even a pattern of play might be appropriate.

This is a moment to check learning and have a chance to prove their work, not a reward for listening to the rest of the session.

This can be the most important part of training, the transfer from practice to game, is the bar set high and do they know the goals? Is there both experimentation and risk taking from p

ENGAGEMENT

To spark interest and long term engagement sessions must be Fun and enjoyable, further to this when session are enjoyable problems are being solved and creativity  can blossom.

Fun is always a main driver in why children take part, this is  certainly the case when they first start.

We design sessions to build ball mastery into the fun part of the sessions, ensure children are aware they are improving this will give a feeling of competence and again will inspire the child to do something they perceive themselves to be good at and for themselves.

This can build intrinsic motivation and a pride in themselves, a development and learning sweet spot.

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VOICE - 1

POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION - Coaches  should encourage children to socially interact as much as possible, these need to be positive interactions.  Teamworking, whether it is a chance to choose a team name or to discuss what they are doing well there will be chances to interact with friends and potential new friends in our session. Respect and learning to become a strong social communicator with teammates and coaches, learn to give and receive constructive feedback.

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EVERY PLAYER MATTERS- We want to give our young players a voice. How do we listen to what the players are telling us? Either verbally or with their actions. Coaches should have the knowledge of how to facilitate the ideas of the players at some point. Player centred and allowing sessions design to give players input into their session. Meeting individual needs and KNOWING your kids and engagement for every player that comes. Coaches should follow the SHEP acronym Safe, Healthy, Enjoy/achieve, Positive Contribution. 

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ENVIRONMENT

Interactions must provide a safe environment between players and coaches. Sessions will be carefully  designed  & planned to  reduce risk of injury.

Cross age sessions are permitted providing safe to do so, with constant monitoring of how players are coping socially within the group.

The FA four corners are used to plan session that are safe ensuring players are supported to their needs across technical, psychological, physical and social.