Based around the England FA DNA, we aim to make our players’ experience of football positive, enjoyable and memorable. This will help to build a wide range of skills, it’ll also encourage a lifelong love of both physical activity and sport. We want our players to love the ball and love the game. Our focus is less on winning games and more on social aspects, having fun and competing for the love of football.
FOUNDATION PHASE
Ages 5-11
Learning to train
Start to develop football specific skills in a fun a productive environment. Focusing on fundamental movement skills. Introduce competition in training and games with a development over winning attitude. Players will play in all positions.
Stay on the ball, master the ball
Develop a mastery of the ball and the confidence to try new things.
Excite with the ball and seek creative solutions
Be exciting and positive in possession, playing with individuality and with elements of disguise and surprise.
Connect and combine creatively with others
Combine creatively and intelligently with others to create and score goals.
Positive and enthusiastic defending
Enjoy winning the ball back, be difficult to beat 1v1 and look to start attacks when you get the ball.
Intelligent defending
Be positive and creative in your positioning and ability to win the ball. Be alert when the opposition have possession.
Master a variety of defensive techniques and roles
Enjoy defending in a variety of roles and develop a range of techniques to regain possession.
Instinctive decision-making
React quickly and positively when the ball is won or lost and have a range of individual options and actions.
Positive and intelligent attacking reactions
Have a positive attitude when possession is regained, travelling quickly with and without the ball. Take every opportunity to attack, create and score goals.
Positive and intelligent defensive reactions
Try to win the ball back quickly and prevent opponents from starting attacks. Be proactive when the ball is lost and have confidence in your ability to defend.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PHASE
Ages 12-16
Training to develop
Continue to develop football-specific skills. Competition makes players want to win and give 100% effort. The main focus is still on development. Introduce position specific roles and responsibilities.
Stay on the ball, master the ball
Look to receive the ball in all areas of the pitch and be prepared to stay in possession.
Excite with the ball and seek creative solutions
Seek creative solutions to game situations particularly when outnumbered or in congested areas.
Connect and combine creatively with others
Stay connected with the ball and your teammates to retain possession, open up compact defences and score goals.
Positive and enthusiastic defending
Be prepared to defend 1v1 and be confident without cover or support.
Intelligent defending
Outwit your opponent with excellent patience, timing and intercepting skills.
Master a variety of defensive techniques and roles
Win the ball cleanly, regaining and retaining possession in the same action to start attacks.
Instinctive decision-making
Dominate transition: react quickly and positively to the first individual action when both attacking and defending.
Positive and intelligent attacking reactions
React instinctively and intelligently when possession is regained, recognising opportunities to disorganise the opposition. Manage the state of the game when opportunities to attack are limited.
Positive and intelligent defensive reactions
Prevent progression by disrupting or destroying momentum, forcing errors and protecting the goal.
PRO DEVELOPMENT PHASE
Ages 16+
Training to compete
Developing the player to meet the physiological, technical and tactical demands of the 11v11 game. Competition is provided to challenge and develop. Players should understand their specific position and the roles related to those positions.
Stay on the ball, master the ball
Retain possession with intent: both individually and as a team.
Excite with the ball and seek creative solutions
Open up compact defences with outstanding individuality and teamwork.
Connect and combine creatively with others
Use clever combinations to create and score goals.
Positive and enthusiastic defending
Dominate individual defending scenarios to regain quickly and cleanly in order to start attacks.
Intelligent defending
Defend in an appropriate manner in relation to the state of the game.
Master a variety of defensive techniques and roles
Work individually and collectively to dominate defending scenarios and nullify opposition attacks.
Instinctive decision-making
React instinctively to transitions – both individually and as a team – based on the state of the game and pre-determined team tactics and strategies.
Positive and intelligent attacking reactions
Recognise opportunities to penetrate the opposition quickly, whilst also understanding when to retain and build possession, control the tempo and change the speed of play.
Positive and intelligent defensive reactions
Recognise, understand and react to potential danger.