Getting you to think about your priorities.
Hi coaches, one of the exercises I would challenge Foundation Phase coaches to think about on the FA's Advanced Youth Award is to try to capture, in 3 statements, what your priorities might be IN POSSESSION so that the young players you were developing were effective when playing football.
Please just look at the in possession priorities and remember they are Foundation Phase players who we want to help develop the very things that will help them make an impact in games.
The things you identify will not be fully formed but you are going to prioritise the development of these things as they are the KEY aspects to be developed at this age group.
Please share your own ideas, I have attached mine to give you a head start.
Good luck.
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When I had my U7 team, I started with the idea that they are going to be "swarmed" by other players. Therefore, I wanted to make the players feel comfortable, being uncomfortable, if that makes sense! I wanted them to think about this "swarm" as being their playground and so I thought about what they would need to not just survive, but thrive under this pressure. So, I set about getting the players to "stay on the ball". We played a lot of 1v1 duels with side and back pressure which highlighted the need to be able to shield and protect the ball. So, I would highlight, being able to dribble in tight spaces as a core technical skill. Shielding and protecting the ball as being the next. Every practice involved small-sided goals which I always thought of as a player they may need to pass to in a game. So, while parents sometimes questioned where the passing was, I explained it is hidden away but still there being developed. I would refer to this as ball striking rather than passing too. I would vary the distance of this ball striking by encouraging players to put the ball into the back of the mini-goal from within or outside an end zone. I would also incorporate receiving into these practices by having the ball played to the attacker who has to then turn etc. Very early on I would expose the players to being underloaded and they had to step up and challenge themselves to beat 2 defenders etc. I encouraged parents on a matchday NOT to shout "pass" or any such words because I wanted them to build their confidence and motivation to travel with the ball. When they are comfortable with the ball at their feet, their head will lift and begin to notice teammates etc. It is at this point that I would start to incorporate a lot of 2v1/2v2 etc. I would look at the 2 and 3 player core moves and use Futsal as a tool to really support their development. I apologise, for my waffle! Neil Antrobus @Antrobusn