KIDS’ FOOTBALL IS CHANGING

I hope by now that most people involved in Youth Football, at least, are aware of the changes to formats of youth football that are being phased in from 2013-14 season.

These changes were ratified by The FA in May 2012 following extensive research, consultation and listening to what the children said over a period of over two years, led by National Development Manager for Youth & Mini Soccer, Nick Levett (link to Nick's blog http://youthfootballdevelopment.blogspot.co.uk/ )

 If you aren’t sure about the details, have a look here where you will see links to documents, videos and booklets with all the information you need.

 
NEW FORMATS FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL.

Some of the main changes to kids’ football and possibly the most obvious are the changes to pitch and goal sizes but especially to the numbers of players on the field of play.

Contrary to some initial beliefs that the FA was trying to make soccer ‘non-competitive’, I think, in the main, it is now widely accepted that the FA is actually trying to make youth football and competition within it, child centred.

Whilst the smaller team sizes have well researched positive outcomes in terms of touches on the ball, shots, saves and simpler decision making and will help the development of players, I personally believe there are even more important considerations in the development of our young players.

The new formats will not, in isolation, allow our young players to develop apace and become world beating players as they reach maturity.

I strongly believe that the key to the development of a new breed of exciting player (at ALL levels of the game) are the coaches and, additionally, the parents of young players.

 

HOW COACHES AND PARENTS CAN HELP PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

The format changes to youth football will provide the platform to a change in the way we develop young players but the approach, attitude and mindset of those people with a significant influence over young players are the ones who will really facilitate the change towards more competent and exciting players.

 

FOOTBALL IS A SIMPLE GAME ?

The view that football is a simple game is, to my mind, a tad over simplistic in itself.

It is true that it is played to relatively few and simple rules and, consequently, is therefore relatively easy to understand, even for young or novice players.

Conversely though, it is extremely complex to play the game well and to any level of consistency.

I think it is recognised that football is what is described as a late developing sport, where male players are at their peak at around 27 years of age and female players perhaps a bit younger.

 

PATIENCE

That being the case, significant adults (parents and coaches, generally) have a key role to play in displaying extreme patience as young players develop and learn the game.

 Consider a player in possession of the ball in the midst of a game (whether in practice or a game against another team) and the complexity of their role.

They are, simultaneously, trying to:

·         Keep control of the ball

·         Advance the ball up or around the pitch whilst running or dribbling

·         Screen / keep the ball away from an immediate opponent

·         Look for a shot or pass

·         Deciding on the correct technique / skill to execute

·         Looking for a team mate to whom to pass

·         Deciding which team mate is free / the right person to whom to play the pass

·         Avoid opponents when shooting or passing

·         Execute the skill decided upon

 All of this whilst the football ‘picture’ is dynamically changing.

Each passing second of the game sees players, team mates and opponents, continually moving and therefore, the player’s activities and decision making mentioned above take on an additional level of complexity.

So, then, considering the degree of difficulty of a single player’s activity in a single action of the game it starts to become apparent that, especially at young ages, we must expect players to make mistakes as they learn to understand the game and to develop the skills to play it well.

MISTAKES

During practices and games players must be allowed to make mistakes without fear of criticism.

If players are not allowed to make mistakes they will play within their current ‘comfort zone’ and will not learn how to find new ways to solve football problems.

If players are taught to ‘get rid of it’ or ‘kick it out’ for fear of conceding a goal, they will never learn how to manipulate the ball under pressure, how to trick and dribble around an opponent when under pressure or how to combine with team mates in tight areas to retain possession and play around opponents to extricate themselves from difficult situations. All of which are skills I believe we recognise in continental teams, yet seem reluctant to praise in teams in which we have an interest

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

 The game, against an opponent, though, is only one part of a player’s development.

 Practices should be designed to provide a learning outcome related to the Principles of Play (Principles of Attack and Principles of Defence) in a dynamic format.

 I am an advocate of the Teaching Games for Understanding approach (see previous post here ) where adapted small sided games allow players to ‘play’ whilst learning tactical skills related to the Principles of Play.

Line Drills (or ‘Constant’ practices) do not transfer to the game well, are quickly boring for young players and are soon accompanied by the plea “When can we have a GAME coach?”

Coaches should try to design part practices which allow small group practices where everyone is ‘playing’ with targets/goals or challenges for both attackers AND defenders (try not to have defenders just give the ball back when they win it – what do you want defenders to do when they win the ball in a game against an opponent? Keep it and become an attacker!).

Part practices can quickly be transferred to a larger small sided game with two teams without having to relay cones/discs.

Alternatively, from perhaps initially playing ‘the game’ after warm up, it can be broken down into a practice to teach the theme before moving back to a small sided game again (Whole-Part-Whole practice).

Small sided practices that are adaptations of the ‘big’ game are great for giving players lots of goes at something.

Having said all of that, of course, players must be given the chance to test their skills in ‘games’ too. If less well developed players are not given the opportunity to improve their game craft, their development will be restricted.

 For examples of game related practices, try to get or read a copy of the FA’s Future Game document which provides many templates for small games involving attack and defence.

DEVELOPMENT/GROWTH MINDSET

So coaches and parents of young players should try to develop a relaxed approach to games and practices involving young players.

Try to observe, recognise and celebrate (“Well done...”) improvements in game understanding and skills without concentrating on the score at the end of the game.

Goals are relatively infrequent occurrences in the game anyway compared to the number and type of passes, controlling touches, decisions, throws, saves, tackles, headers and so on.

 If practice has been designed over a period to develop players understanding of how, where, when and with whom to make a challenge or tackle, for example, when defending, try to set individual players targets to achieve regarding defending in a game.

Try to provide challenges for all players too, not just ‘the defenders’ by game position that week. How will midfield and attacking players defend when the team doesn’t have the ball? Do they actually have to win the ball to have defended appropriately?

Then, during the game itself, observe, record and praise successes where elements of defending that have been taught in practices have occurred in the game.

Players will gradually become more confident and competent as they are, appropriately, challenged based upon their age and ability.

If coaches and parents can view practice and games as learning opportunities where young players develop their understanding of the game and the skills to play it well, without overt pressure, we can all make a major contribution to player and game development.

It is the process of learning the game that is of utmost importance foryoung players rather than the game outcome.

Player development is a long term process and takes years, not weeks or months. Good coaches and positive parents can help accelerate and enhance that development by providing the right environment and encouragement to be exciting, problem solving and independently thinking players in an expansive game style.

There will be plenty of time when players reach maturity (past 21) where the winning will become the priority.

So, Kids’ Football IS Changing – but what is most important; the formats or the mind-sets? Or do they go hand in hand?

For a thought provoking view of growth or fixed mind sets, try to read a copy of “Mindset” by Dr. Carol Dweck

 

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