Coaching Theory
Excerpts from Football Australia coaching manuals
Football Australia Building Blocks
FFA courses are tailored to suit the needs of “age related” training, matched up with the size of the field the players will be playing on and the technique/skills required at that age.
For example, at Grass Roots level age 6-7 (4 v 4), the National Curriculum focus is on “learning to master the ball”; so the emphasis is on FUN, lots of ball touches, 1 v 1s and shooting.
At the next age level, Junior (8-11 years old ), playing lots of football related games (7 v 7/ 9 v 9) at training is vital in terms of learning. At this level, the development goals of the National Curriculum are “learning to act with the ball purposefully”and “ learning to play together (with team mates) purposefully”. Helping the players to make decisions based on football problems becomes more important as well as the ongoing development of their individual and collective technical ability through “game like” activities similar to those they may face in matches (i.e. combining with one another to beat an opponent). Another focus is for the coach to provide opportunities for the players to try different positions. Once again, a critical component at this age is the need for the players to have a “fun” experience and for the coach to nurture the young players’ love for the game through the provision of a positive learning environment.
At Youth level (12-15 years old), studies have shown that players are starting to think about specializing in positions; and here, the development goals of the National Curriculum are“learning the positions” and“learning how the basic tasks link together”. It is important to note that increasing the development of technique linked into game awareness (decision making) and position specific coaching make up the focus for this level.
At the Senior level (16 years and above), the National Curriculum moves to reflect more “team” coaching through the development goals ‘Learning to play as a team’ and ‘Performing / Winning as a team’, while at the same time emphasizing individual creativity, creative thinking and decision making, which are necessary ingredients to bring the “whole picture” together.
Not withstanding the above, at every level, it is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that all players have an equal opportunity to develop and that the emphasis should always be on enjoyment and participation.
FFA courses are tailored to suit the needs of “age related” training, matched up with the size of the field the players will be playing on and the technique/skills required at that age.
For example, at Grass Roots level age 6-7 (4 v 4), the National Curriculum focus is on “learning to master the ball”; so the emphasis is on FUN, lots of ball touches, 1 v 1s and shooting.
At the next age level, Junior (8-11 years old ), playing lots of football related games (7 v 7/ 9 v 9) at training is vital in terms of learning. At this level, the development goals of the National Curriculum are “learning to act with the ball purposefully”and “ learning to play together (with team mates) purposefully”. Helping the players to make decisions based on football problems becomes more important as well as the ongoing development of their individual and collective technical ability through “game like” activities similar to those they may face in matches (i.e. combining with one another to beat an opponent). Another focus is for the coach to provide opportunities for the players to try different positions. Once again, a critical component at this age is the need for the players to have a “fun” experience and for the coach to nurture the young players’ love for the game through the provision of a positive learning environment.
At Youth level (12-15 years old), studies have shown that players are starting to think about specializing in positions; and here, the development goals of the National Curriculum are“learning the positions” and“learning how the basic tasks link together”. It is important to note that increasing the development of technique linked into game awareness (decision making) and position specific coaching make up the focus for this level.
At the Senior level (16 years and above), the National Curriculum moves to reflect more “team” coaching through the development goals ‘Learning to play as a team’ and ‘Performing / Winning as a team’, while at the same time emphasizing individual creativity, creative thinking and decision making, which are necessary ingredients to bring the “whole picture” together.
Not withstanding the above, at every level, it is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that all players have an equal opportunity to develop and that the emphasis should always be on enjoyment and participation.
