Coaching Philosophy and Coaching Objectives

Lindfield Football Club

Coaching Development Program

Coaching Philosophy and Coaching Objectives

Table of Content:

1. What is a coaching philosophy and why having one?

2. Gaps in the Football Development System in Australia

2.1 General Football Trends and Different Youth Developments

2.2 Football Federation Australia (FFA) initiative 2007

3. The Lindfield Football Club coaching philosophy

4. Coaching Under 6 and Under 7

4.1 Coaching objectives – Games!

4.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U6/U7)

5. Coaching Under 8, Under 9 Under 10

5.1 Coaching objectives

5.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U8, U9 and U10)

6. Coaching Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13

6.1 Coaching objectives

6.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U11, U12, U13)

7. Coaching Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16

7.1 Coaching objectives

7.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U14, U15, U16)

8. Coaching (Under 16) and Under 18

8.1 Coaching objectives

8.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U16), U18

9. Coaching Men’s All Age and U 21/23

9.1 Status Quo (2007/2008)

9.2 General coaching objectives

9.3 Specialized coaching objectives

9.4 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U23, All Ages)

10. Acknowledgement

1. What is a coaching philosophy and why having one?

A coaching philosophy reflects the standards set for the individual coach, the team and the entire club. It is the foundation of coaching values and beliefs. A clubs coaching philosophy is considered to be a “red thread” and should apply for all age groups.

Even with a carefully planned philosophy firmly in place, it’s pretty challenging adhering to it at all times. Especially due to:

• being a big club like Lindfield and considering the amount of teams,
• having different individual skill levels and age groups,
• players and parents having different interests,
• coaches, managers and parents having a different understanding of the game
• having limited time and means of communication.

But coaching Football without a coaching philosophy is like driving without directions.

• What kind of Football do we want to support and teach?
• What kind of skills should players in different age groups acquire?
• How do we nurture our players and educate the coaches and parents?

2. Gaps in the Football Development System in Australia

The following points are based on the National Football Development Plan from the Football Federation Australia (FFA) published 2007

• Technical skills are deficient in players in elite programs / competitions. The world’s best players start developing technical skills at a young age.
• Deficient game skills and game hardness evident in mid teens and later (particularly the 15 – 20 year old group. In Australia this age group does not compete in a professional senior environment and additionally the season is much shorter than overseas.
• Insufficient numbers of active coaches and referees who are accredited
• Difficulties in attracting volunteers to the game
• Facilities not keeping pace with demand
• Football for Women and Girls – Despite strong growth in this area, it is critical that opportunities continue to be provided for females at access football in this country
• Futsal – Historically Futsal has not been given the level of service that it requires, especially when taking into consideration it’s growth and the important part it plays in the technically development of players

2.1 General Football Trends and Different Youth Developments

a. The old kick and run vs. the new possession football

Looking at a match day of one of this season’s UEFA Champions League, the country with the most players in the 32 starting line-ups was Brazil with 65. Next was France with 37. Portugal had 24, Italy 22, Holland 15, Spain 15, while there were only 14 English.

The Football in Australia - with a mainly English influence - became comfortable with playing a limited touch game (=”kick and run”). This has been, in effect; the ball played wide, the ball played long, and the ball crossed into target areas where the battle is on to score. In effect the philosophy has become "Limited touches will produce goals”!

In a recent training camp for the Socceroos vs Qatar world cup qualifier it was noted that ‘A-League coaches play totally different tactics’ and Australians playing in international leagues would easily adjust to the Dutch coaches style of play as most ‘were involved in leagues with more tactical variety.’

Enjoying and learning the game of football is best demonstrated through maintaining possession of the ball (e.g. Brazil, Italy and France). The end result of being able to maintain possession is obviously scoring a goal. The only way to do this is to keep the ball and move towards the opponent's goal through a combination of basic individual and team maneuvers.

When players have possession of the ball they can enjoy the challenges of the game. The result of playing a composed passing game is growing confidence of the player and the team.

b. Whereas in Europe and South America football is played all over the year, football in Australia is limited to the winter months with not having enough fields for the amount of players. As participation in football continues to grow plus the impact of drought and wet weather, the availability and quality of playing and training facilities becomes a major critical issue.

→ Looking overseas, “artificial grass” is imperative for now and the future.

c. In Europe from a young age on kids train twice a week.

d. In poorer countries kids play almost every day on the street. The UEFA (= European Football Federation) supports an initiative to bring back “street football”. Selected cities get provided with mini football fields, based on artificial grass and limited by boards framing the playing field.

e. Especially in Brazil (Spain and Portugal) they play additionally “Futsal” which is great for their skills/technique development. There is more spontaneity and freedom of expression with a football.

f. Small Sided Games

The basis of SSG is that participants, play on smaller fields and with smaller numbers, will interact with the ball on more occasions and be required to make less complicated tactical decisions. The result is more fun and better skills/technique development.

2.2 Football Federation Australia (FFA) initiative 2007

The following points are selected issues based on the National Football Development Plan from the Football Federation Australia (FFA) published 2007.

1. Small Sided Games

• FFA to coordinate the rollout of SSG
• FFA to develop the playing formats, rules and operational requirements of SSG
• FFA to create and distribute resources to stakeholders to assist in the changeover to SSG, including a SSG Curriculum Guide, Operations Handbook and dedicated DVD
• FFA to develop an education initiative aimed at providing parents with the rationale behind the introduction of SSG

2. National Skills Test

• FFA develop the content for the national skills test for 7-12 year old players

3. Elimination of Competition Gaps – Men’s and Women’s

• There is a need for competition opportunities to be introduced for young male players (18-21)
• FFA to establish a national women’s league

4. Better Coaches Education

• FFA will create new course resources including printed material, multimedia applications and online tools
• FFA will work closely with Member Federations to ensure course instructors are adequately trained and resourced
• FFA will enhance communication with grassroots coaches

5. Better Facilities

• FFA to incorporate advice on optimizing available facilities and engaging effectively with relevant authorities to ensure additional facilities are available where necessary.

6. Futsal

• FFA to work with Member Federations to ensure that Futsal is fully integrated into their organizational structures
• FFA to work with all stakeholders to encourage closer links between outdoor clubs and Futsal teams / centre’s.

3. The Lindfield Football Club coaching philosophy

The Lindfield Football Club coaching philosophy is reflecting a number of considerations, such as:

• Focusing on the best interests and well-being of every player
• Promoting the respect of players and coaches on both teams, as well as officials
• Upholding the virtues of fair play, good sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity
• Placing safety, skill development, and fun ahead of any personal desires to win.
• See Lindfield Football Clubs “Mission Statement”

The Lindfield Coaching Philosophy main points:

• Cherish possession of the ball!
• We encourage a more skillful style of playing, incorporating a variety of techniques, which help players reach their maximum, individual potential.
• Our focus is on highly challenging skills and methods which incorporates the ball in every exercise.
• LFC believes in a gradual youth development program (4vs4, 5vs5, 6vs6…11vs11) with set and measurable goals for every age group.
• We encouraged the players to develop their unique individual style of playing, to be creative and express themselves.
• We also encourage taking risks, explaining that making mistakes is a natural part of the game and assist in improving their decision-making ability under pressure. We do not have a win at all cost attitude!
• Central within the club is the style of play (4-3-3 or 4-4-2 or (4-2-3-1)). LFC strives to keep the way of playing football recognizable; attractive, offensive-minded, creative, fast, fair and preferably far away from the own goal on the opponents half. (See “LFC Football Systems”)
• LFC is partly dependant on players from its own youth. The youth teams are trained in a similar way as the first team. These boys are therefore already accustomed to LFC’s style of play.
• All of this is accomplished in a positive atmosphere of fun excitement and freedom, so that players will learn the true joy and pleasure of playing football.

General coaching tips:

• Tailoring your coaching to the age group. Set attainable goals
• Don’t favour those players on your squad who are more mature and skilled at the expense of those who are less skilled and developed. Avoid the captain syndrome.
• Emphasizing team work AND individual freedom
• Get the kids praising one another. Encourage the kids who score goals to acknowledge the pass from their teammate that led to it.
• Involve the ball in every exercise. Ensure that each player gets many touches on the ball. Make sure that kids learn things while they possess the ball. Don’t waste time in letting them do laps!
• Do not motivate through fear or threats. Let the kids express themselves and allow doing mistakes.
• Share your love and sincere passion of the sport.
• Touchline support: Encourage players!

Use phrases like: “Relax!”, “Keep the ball!”

Avoid phrases like: “Kick it out!”, “Clear it!”, “Boot it!”

4. Coaching Under 6 and Under 7

By the age of six or seven most children are fairly proficient (though not yet mature) in fundamental motor skills. This phase is precisely where youth coaching begins. Kids use these basic motor skills and start learning specific sport movements (e.g. combining running with kicking).

At this age level, a coach's football background isn't a crucial element in developing quality youth football players. A parent with no football background can coach and develop youth football players at these young ages just as effectively as an experienced coach. BUT to coach effectively, you must understand some general principles regarding this age group

• Football should be fun.
  This is the most important aspect of coaching 3 - 8 year olds, why play soccer if it isn't any fun? Children at these ages won't focus during tactical lectures or complicated drills, but they will focus during simple, fun games or drills.
• Maximize ball touches.
  The more a player touches a ball, the more comfortable they'll become with a ball at their feet. With that in mind, it is important to plan your practices emphasizing maximizing the amount of ball touches per player. Lot’s of 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2 games!
• Be prepared.
  Prepare yourself before each practice to avoid downtime while deciding what to do next. Children at these young ages have a short attention span and if there is too much downtime, they may lose interest in practice.
• Involve the parents.
  Keeping a young player engaged in practice is difficult for anyone, but keeping a whole team of young players engaged is almost impossible. Make use of your player's parents to help out so you can focus on coaching players individually if needed. Avoid phrases like: “Kick it out!”, “Clear it!”, “Boot it!”
• Enthusiasm is contagious.
  If the coach is having fun, the players will have fun as well.

4.1 Coaching objectives – Games!

At this first level kids encounter a games program of basic abilities and capacities.

1. Juggling and balancing the ball: “kick and catch”, “knee and catch”, “header and catch”

2. Dribbling games

3. Passing, receiving and shooting games

4. Tackling games

5. One versus One games and two versus two games! IMPORTANT!

6. Max 4 versus 4 with NO goalkeeper

4.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U6/U7)

a. Technical Ability:

b. Engagement in the game

5. Coaching Under 8, Under 9 Under 10

• Players at this age tend to start focusing on mastering the basics of the sport. They still lack fine motor skills and movements are usually whole body actions with little accuracy
• They also crave feedback from coaches and parents on how they are performing certain skills and how they are progressing in a new skill.
• The desire to compete carries much more prominence for some kids in this age range than others, particularly if they have older siblings
• They are just starting to learn how to cooperate and are sensitive to criticism and failure
• Their whole attention is directed toward the ball. They like to possess the ball the maximum time possible

Predicament 1: Teaching skills vs. just playing the game

It’s a fine line of teaching skills and keeping the players entertained in this age. You should do it step by step BUT it is imperative to introduce different skills!

Predicament 2: Passing the ball vs. dribbling and beating players

In telling the kids to pass or just kick the ball we don’t give them the opportunity to use and practice their skills. Make sure you don’t interfere “too much” and encourage taking risks. It will assist their decision-making ability under pressure.

5.1 Coaching objectives

1. Games for basic abilities and capacities

Introduce: Side steps, Step over, Kick over,

Introduce different ways of changing directions: Cut turn, Hook turn, Roll back turn

2. Passing, receiving and shooting games for both feet

3. Simplified games for 1 on 1 and 2 on 2. - Emphasize on beating a player over just kicking the ball!

4. Mini-football (3 on 3 and 4 on 4)

→ Super Skills

5.2 Lindfield Football Club measurable goals – Skills Test (U8, U9 and U10)

a. Technical Ability:

b. Engagement in the game

6. Coaching Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13

At this late stage of their childhood, youngsters are in a “golden age of motor learning” (Diem lectures). Leaving the dream world behind, their capacity for abstraction develops that favors their understanding and reading of game situations.

The kids still have an urge for physical activity, however they now strive after good performance, profiting from the fact that their movements are now more controlled and carried out more economically and with single-mindedness. As children reach this age range, many become more competitive and seek to perform better than others of their age. When their ability matches up with their peers, or surpasses it, they feel a real sense of achievement.

The coach must teach players not only individual and team skills but also thinking skills (= situational intelligence).

The coach must take a transition from just simply presenting different drills to preparing a more systematic and purposeful practice of technical-tactical aspects of the soccer game.

6.1 Coaching objectives

1. In reaching the big field (playing 11 versus 11) it’s time to introduce to the teams the club’s preferable style of play (4-3-3 or 4-4-2 or (4-2-3-1)). LFC strives to keep the way of playing football recognizable; attractive, offensive-minded, creative, fast, fair and preferably far away from the own goal on the opponents half. (See “LFC Football Systems”)

2. (Games for basic abilities) + Ball Mastery, high speed cuts and turns with the ball, a cleaner, more reliable 1st touch, dribbling at speed (Learning new skills and consolidating current skills)

3. Simplified games, Mini-Football (= players have to use their imagination to learn and read the game)

4. 1vs.1, 2 vs.2, 3.vs.3

5. Combined Shooting Games (combine dribbling or passing with shooting)

6. Start focusing and developing the goalkeeper position (stance and positional play, saves, clearances, playing out of goal – Goalkeeper as being part of the game being a “sweeper”!

→ Keep the exercises game-like to facilitate the observation, analysis, decision making and motor response of the players

→ Develop the general idea of “The whole team is defending and the whole team is attacking”!