
The Foundation Stage (TFS) Emphasis on the development of each player’s technical ability enabling the player to feel comfortable and confident when in possession by means of: “Ball Mastery”; gaining an understanding of “How – What & Why” leading to:
“When & Where”
- Establishing an efficient & effective first touch (both feet & all surfaces)
- Core Techniques (“Moves”) with encouragement for players to add to this base
(Scissors – Maradona, Zidane – Flipper, Ronaldo – Chop, Giggsy – Rivaldo – Squeeze – Drag & Push – Combination of foot surface touches) - Core Turns (outside & inside hook – Drag Back – Step-Over – Reverse Step-Over – Cruyff Turn)
- Running with ball under control
- Passing effectively (using laces – inside & outside of foot)
- Shooting & Finishing (creativity)
- Team play (introduction to younger players and improve understanding for players closer to YDS)
Youth Development Stage (YDS)
In-depth continuation of the above providing continuity and building on each player’s passage through the Foundation Stage
- Developing a deeper understanding of each player’s role & worth in a team environment
- Continuation of improving individual techniques
- Developing a deeper understanding of how various tactics may benefit or disadvantage
- Explore and improve set plays both defending & attacking
- Explore & improve understanding of “Patterns of Play” Attacking in balance & when out of balance / Defending in balance & when out of balance
- Improve understanding of roles within a team framework Improve and achieve clinical finishing
Senior Development Stage (SDS)
Building on the foundations laid through TFS & YDS
- Improving the probability of winning (a winning mentality- learning how to win)
- Clarity of each player’s understanding of their role, responsibility & worth in a team environment
- Continuation of improving / fine turning individual techniques
- Continued development of understanding; how various tactics may benefit or disadvantage. (how to overcome for success)
- Improve set plays both defending & attacking
- Maturing understanding of “Patterns of Play” attacking in balance & when out of balance / defending in balance & when out of balance
- Improve and achieve clinical finishing