Yesterday evening I attended an English/Surrey FA In-service Event where a FA National Youth Coach presents a session on a particular method of coaching children.
The session topic was 'Setting up attacks to score' and was really well coached with the U11's really responding well to the game and challenge.
While watching the boys play, I was reminded of the importance of knowing your players. Not just as footballers on a field and how they understand and play the game but as people, as individuals.
How often do we consider their lives outside of training and match days?
While we can be focused on planning a well structured training session and getting tactics right for the crunch match at the weekend, we can very often forget about the boys and girls who are actually playing the game.
This is where the FA Youth Award becomes important. So important that I believe it should be mandatory for every coach to take. I took the course in April 2010 and as a new coach it's what has become the cornerstone for my philosophy. This is the way all players should be coached and if they are then in 25-30 years time I can see Semi-Finals and Finals of major international competitions every time for England.
To quote the FA's website…
The course is split into three modules and an introductory module…and focuses on the following -
- What motivates them to play football?
- How can we build their self esteem?
- How can we manage differences in age, experience, ability and attitude?
- Can we create the right environment for young people to learn?
- Teach them strategies for managing mistakes?
- Tailor practice sessions according to age, ability, experience and maturity?
If there is one course you take this year then let it be this one.
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