Age: Males 9 to 12/Females 8 to 11 years
The main objective of this phase is to learn the specific football skills in conjunction with FUNdamental skills from a range of other sports. These skills form the cornerstone of all player development. An emphasis on technical development should be a key part of this phase, with the 7 v 7 game being introduced, progressing to 9 v 9.
The Learning to Train Phase - Technical
- Fundamental skills progressively refined, combined and elaborated upon to more sport specific skills.
- Willingness and knowledge of how to practice skills
- Football specific skills; dribbling, shooting, passing, controlling
- Combination of skills in game related activities
The Learning to Train Phase - Tactical
- Play modified and small-sided games
- Implement key game principles
- Play small sided games: 9v9, 7v7, 5v5, 3v5 etc (spatial awareness: pass and move)
- Implement defence and attack principles in SSG
- Introduction to positional awareness in a variety of positions
- Perform basic set pieces e.g. foul throw, free kicks
- Know rules in relation to free kicks and offside
The Learning to Train Phase - Physical
- Continue to develop ABCs
- Continue to develop speed, power and endurance through fun games
- Medicine ball, Swiss ball and own-body exercises for strength as well as hopping-bounding exercises
- Basic flexibility exercises
- Warm-up and stretching
- Basic body awareness - Stage 2
- Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability
The Learning to Train Phase - Mental
- Introduction to mental preparation
- Understanding of the role of practice
- Perseverance
- Confidence
- Concentration
- Achieve success and receive positive reinforcement
- Goal setting (short term)
