NSCAA Advanced Director of Coaching

Course

June 2013

‘Good Practice in European Youth

Academies’…and their relevance to US Youth

Soccer Programs

Good Practice in European Youth Academies

Key Issues as they affect My Youth Soccer Program in N. America

Major Perceived Factor Key Factors as they impact on My

Youth Soccer Program

Comments

Commitment to Individual Development

Identifying Talent

Maximizing Practice Time

Developing Quality Coaches

Appropriate Training Program

Appropriate Games Program

Educational Support

Sports Science Support

Parental Support

Facilities

Evaluation of overall Program

Other factors 2

3

HOW IS GOOD PRACTICE IN ELITE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSESSED?

IN EUROPE ( 9 million registered male players under 18 years of age)

Players into the first team of a professional Club ?

Winning Tournaments ?

How would Good Practice be assessed in North America ? ( I million

registered male players under 18 years of age ?)

Winning Tournaments ?

Players into ODP ?

Players achieving College Scholarships?

Players into Professional /Semi- Professional Soccer?

Others?

4

TOURNAMENTS ?

• France have developed a large number of high quality play

but:

-have never been in the top 3 in the FIFA Under 20

Tournament

-have only qualified 5 times (out of a possible 18)

• Spain have qualified 14 times and won it once ( England 10

times – 1 third and 1 fourth place )

• In 2005 - UEFA Burlaz Trophy for combined team

performances at Under 17 & 19: Spain (1),England (2)

-never won a major tournament at Senior Level outside

their own country

NB Since 2005 Spain have won Euros ( twice ) and WC !

5

Countries providing players in the top 6

European Leagues ( Italian Study 2008 )

6

‘Graduates’ of Academies in the top 6 Leagues in Europe’ ( Italian Study 2008 )

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Academies providing players in 31 ‘top leagues’ in Europe ( 2013 : Source The International Centre for Sports Studies)

8

Key Factors which demonstrate Vision & Commitment

to develop Young People as talented footballers?

9

Club Culture and Policy

- Traditions,Language,Legends,Stories

Consistency and Stability

Club Owners

First Team Coach

Youth Coaches : ‘They are not your players’

Players

Parents- inc ‘agreements ‘

Usually written up as a Youth Development Plan and approved by the Club

Board of Directors

Academy Managers : Leaders, Strategists,

Educationalists,Planners,Organisers,Politicians,Coaches,

Vision & Commitment to develop Young People as talented footballers:

Whole Person /Holistic Development

10

What looking for ?- if you are briefing scouts

How ? : Subjective v checklist ?;Objective, Tests, Try Outs, Ongoing

Who?-

Where? : where are your hot spots ?

When ? : when to select

Identifying Talent- developing a Talent ID plan as part of the overall

Youth Development Plan

11

Identifying Talent What to look for?- find out more

about the players

• TIPS (Ajax):Talent,Intilligence,Personality,Speed

• TABS (L’vpool): Technical,Attitude,Balance,Speed

• SUPS : Speed,Understanding,Personality,Skill

• PAS :Pace,Attitude,Skill

• Bobby Robson on Set Plays :

‘ Do they have something special ?’

Delivery or Conversion?

‘Earn Set Plays ‘ or ‘ Concede them’

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TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGY

PHYSICAL SOCIAL

THE 4 CORNERS

AND THE AGES

HAVE A

CHANGING

EFFECT AND

IMPACT OVER

TIME

13

What looking for ?- if you are briefing scouts

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SENSIBLE PROFILING

AJAX

• Select a ‘squad’ of players –equal number right and left footed

• Introduce 11v11 by 11 years & ‘Schooled’ to play in one (or more) of the

Ajax 1-4-3-3 system

ROSENBORG

• 23 Attacking moves to learn for the ‘Rosenborg’ 4-3-3

REAL MADRID.

All the Youth Teams play a 1-4-3-3 and 1-4-4-2 system with one holding

defensive mid-field player:

• At what age do you profile your players?

• What is your criteria?

• Is it written down and recorded?

• Are the coaches, players and parents aware of the profile

15

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Player Profiling

Physical Tactical Mental

Goal Keeper #1 6’ 2” Shot Stopping Resilient

Agile Distribution Brave

Powerful Communication

Full Back #2,#3 Agile 1v1 Defending Concentration

75% Defender Speed Defending Far Post Resilience

Speed-Endurance Defensive Support Play Controlled

Brave

Centre Half #5,#6 6’1” 1v1 Defending Leadership

80% Defender Agile Heading Concentration

Powerful Alert in possession Communication

Defensive Support Play Brave

5 solid passing options Consistency

Controller Agile Tight Receiving Skills Leadership

50% Defender Quick Perception Concentration

Powerful 360 Range Passing Resilience

Speed Endurance Support Play Bravery on ball

Creation Space Consistency

Heading

Screen Play

Breaking Up Play

Physical Technical Mental

Midfield #8

50% Defender Endurance 14K Tight Receiving Skills Concentration

Speed Endurance 7 Passes Brave

Strength RWTB Commitment

Shooting Resilient

Tracking Runs

Tackling

Defensive Support

Midfield #10

30% Defender Sharp Perception & Intelligence Confident

70% Attacker Speed Endurance Tight & Disguised recv/turning Risk Taker

RWTB Extrovert ?

Match Winner Dribbling Quick Minded

When, Where, How use space

Transition Player

Set Play Specialist

Creative passer

Forward #9

20% Defender 6’+ Perception / Awareness Big Personality

80% Attacker Strong Runner Recv Skills - Back to goal Selfish

Powerful - Behind Brave

Pace RWTB / Dribbling

Space Creation In & Out Box

Heading

Support Play

Usher one direction

Set Play Specialist

Forward #7 #11

25% Defender Pace Recv skills - In front Resilient

75% Attacker Agility - Behind Concentration

Speed Endurance Turning Bravery

Pace Creator RWTB / Dribbling Patience

When, Where, How use space

Combination play

Set Play Specialist

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How ? : Subjective v checklist ?;Objective data, Tests, Try Outs,

Ongoing

Try Outs and watching players –some considerations

• OPPOSITION PLAYING STANDARDS

• OWN TEAM PLAYING STANDARDS

• POSITION SUITABILITY

• PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS

• RECENT PLAYING ACTIVITY

• EXPECTATION FOR THE DAY

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THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION – YOUTH PLAYER ASSESSMENT

NAME: _____________________ DATE OF BIRTH: __________________AGE GROUP: ________

CLUB: ______________________ POSITION: ________________________

MATCH: __________________________ MATCH AGE GROUP: ______________________

MATCH DATE: ____________________

__________________________________________________________________________

ASSESSMENT

SCORE ON SCALE OF 1 (VERY POOR) 2 (POOR) 3 (AVERAGE) 4 (GOOD) 5 (EXCELLENT)

PERSONALITY AND ATTITUDE

Is he:- Tough-minded Confident Composed

Focused Enthusiast ic Takes Responsbility

INTELLIGENCE

How w ell does he understand his role?

How w ell does he read the game?

Does he make good decisions?

TECHNIQUE

How w ell does he cope technically

w ith the demands of his posit ion?

How good is his range of techniques?

SPEED

How quick is he?

Does he have a change of pace?

FITNESS

How w ell does he compete physically?

How w ell is he equipped physically?

How w ell does he last the game?

EFFECTIVENESS

To w hat extent does he effect the game?

ANY OTHER COMMENTS (e.g. left or right footed)

Total Score A = 68 and above Recommended Grade A = Recommended

B = 60-67 B = To be view ed again

C = below 60 C = Not up to standard

COMPLETED BY ________________________________________

SIGNED ________________________________ DATE _________________

SUMMARY

Strengths

Weaknesses

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ENGLAND YOUTH TEAMS

PLAYER ASSESSMENT FORM PERSONALITY AND ATTITUDE

Is he a team player, a winner (quiet or loud), coachable, a leader? Does he have a positive influence on other players?

INTELLIGENCE

Does he understand his role, the game? Does he read the game well? Can he adapt?

TECHNIQUE

Can he cope Technically with the demands of position? Does he have any outstanding Technical strengths or weaknesses?

SPEED

Is he very quick? If so, over what distances? Is he slow? Does he have a change of pace? What are his qualities relative to his position?

FITNESS

Can he last a game? Is he strong, powerful, weak? Effectiveness Does he affect the game? Is so, how?

RECOMMEND GRADE

A Recommend B To be viewed again C Not up to standard

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Bench Marking – see SFA Video on blog

TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE –GAME RELATED

KPI’s

ENTRIES INTO THE ATTACKING THIRD:- STOPPING THEM V DELIVERING

THEM

- Pass/Dribble/Run with and without the ball v stopping/track them !

- Exploiting Turnovers v Smothering turnovers

STRIKES AT GOAL IN THE ATTACKING THIRD: STOPPING THEM V

CREATING THEM

- Set Play winning or conceding

- Set play delivery /execution v defending against them

- Dribbling/Crosses/Thru Passes/Long Shots v defending against these

- Re-gain the ball v avoids re-possession

THE FIRST GOAL

- Their value in creating v stopping it

CAN YOU PROFILE & ARCHIVE YOUR BEST PLAYERS FOR POSTERITY ?

21

GOOD PRACTICE AT 16-18 YEARS OF AGE ?

TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE –TECHNIQUE

TESTS

SOCCER STAR

6 skills tests for 6-16 year olds, now available (free!) on the web( fasoccerstar.com)

over 1 million children worldwide since 1989

Running with the ball,Turning,Dribbling,Speed,Shooting & Heading

No date of birth bias in results-High correlation (90%) with subjective assessment of

players 1-6 star ratings:6 Star represents top 3%

Current FAPL players who recorded 6 star rating when 9yrs of age:

- Michael Carrick, Michael Bridges, Mathew Etherington

AJAX Shooting, Speed and Heading Tests

DFB Test

UKRAINE SCHOOL TESTS

Do you have your own tests – archived and cross referenced against

game performance?

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23

Kunstschütze

24

Dribbelkünstler

25

Ballzauberer

26

Kurzpass-Ass

27

Kopfballkönig

28

Flankengeber

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Elferkönig

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TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGY

PHYSICAL SOCIAL

THE 4 CORNERS

AND THE AGES

HAVE A

CHANGING

EFFECT AND

IMPACT OVER

TIME

31

15-17 yr olds –successful v unsuccessful:

Predictors for those players to be selected by top clubs in Germany,Italy,England

and Croatia

(Reilly,Bangsbo & Franks 2000 and Jankovic 1997)

• Max oxygen uptake (V02 max)

• Anaerobic Power:10/20 m sprints

• Trunk strength

What fitness tests do you use?

Do you record and archive the results to assist profiling ?

TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S

MEASURABLE –PHYSIOLOGICAL

32

Who?- Profile : birthdates,positions,family ?

33

TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGY

PHYSICAL SOCIAL

THE 4 CORNERS

AND THE AGES

HAVE A

CHANGING

EFFECT AND

IMPACT OVER

TIME

34

Two Case Studies

• What are the likely benefits and threats to each

player’s development ?

15 years

4 months old 15 years

5 months old

Growth Spurts THERE ARE MANY PHYSICAL REASONS FOR THE LACK OF

CONSISTENCY DEMONSTRATED BY THE PLAYER WHO IS GROWING UP.

For example;

• ADJUSTING TO PHYSICAL GROWTH

• ENERGY DEMANDS OF GROWTH

• LOSS OF CO–ORDINATION

SEEING TOO MANY PICTURES IN THESE CHANGING TIME FRAMES MAY BE CONFUSING FOR THE COACH OR SCOUT.

PARTICULARLY IF COMPARISONS ARE BEING MADE BETWEEN PLAYERS

1981 England Under 15’s –as 14 year olds

Front Row :who are staff and which are players?

37

GOOD PRACTICE AT

16-18 YEARS OF AGE ?

TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE -PHYSICAL :

Find the early birthdays !

• Turkey won the 2005 UEFA Under 17 Championship in 2005:Qualification Date

(January 1st)

- 50% of the squad were born in the first 3 months of the qualification date

-10% were born in the last 3 months of the qualification date (Oct-December)

• 2006 : First 3 Months First 6 months

Russia 50% 75%

Cz 50% 75%

Germany 50% 75%

Spain 50% 80%

All Star Team ( + effect) 50% (30% in Jan) 90% - none in last 3 months

Of all 72 Squad players only 2 from last 3 months and only one of these

LATZA(Ger) played a full game

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GOOD PRACTICE AT

16-18 YEARS OF AGE

TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE –PHYSICAL

Select the tallest & biggest !

FIFA UNDER 17 WORLD CUP 2005 (male-ex.. Australia !)

Av Squad Height Av Squad Weight

1. Italy 1.82m Brasil 74.2kg

2 Brasil 1.80m Uruguay 74.9kg

3.Turkey 1.79m Holland 72.4kg

4.Holland 1.75m Peru 72.2kg

5.Ivory Coast 1.75m Turkey 72.3kg

6.Mexico 1.74m Mexico 70.1kg

Compare these with the average 16/17 year old and Compare with your players

PS:

- USA had the smallest average height ! ( 1.69m)

- Mexico won the tournament -19/20 born in first 6 months (95%) -55% in first 3

months: 0 players born in last 3 months

- Brasil 70% first 6 months : I player in last 3 months

Do you maintain weigh and measure your players?

39

‘Graduates’ of Academies in the top 6 Leagues in Europe’ ( Italian Study 2008 )

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Psychological • Stable Extroverts (Kane 1970)

• Good Learners

• Game Intelligence

• Decision Making

• Concentration

• Confidence

• Composure

• Commitment

• Mental Control

• Academic Intelligence (School Performance) ? V Poor

Reading Skills ?

42

Social • Swiss FA study ‘ Thank you brother !’-2nd and 3rd born

• Over representation of immigrants-1st ,2nd & 3rd generation ( e.g.

France,Germany,Belgium,England)

• Values

• Beliefs

• Parental Support

• Role Models

• Cultural /Community Support

• Socio-economic background

FC Rosenborg

• 16 Norwegian Titles

• UCL Champions League

believe their USP is Psycho-Social

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Where? : where are your hot spots ?

44

Nursery clubs or affiliates- Real Madrid (200) AC Milan (100) PSV ( 300)

Development Centres

Joint Schemes- FC Twente and Heracles

Community /grassroots schemes- UK ,Werder Bremen,FC Koln

Larger Squads > Keep them longer

Exit Strategies to release the player back into the football community

Iceland ( see blog) mainly rural !

See blog for UEFA Champions League player locations

What are the common geographic/demographic characteristics of your

players?

TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE –

WHERE ARE THEY?

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The Hottest Spot for English Born Premier League Players ?

- Liverpool

England Team from Liverpool inc Kirby & Huyton

( population approx 500,000)

4-3-3

GK ?

Martin Kelly, Tony Hibbert, Jamie Carragher, Leighton Baines

Kevin Nolan, Stephen Gerrard , Joey Barton, Jack Rodwell

Wayne Rooney, Ricky Lambert, Leon Osman

Subs : Victor Anchibe ( 1 year old when came to Liverpool)

Ryan Shawcross

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How can you maximise Practice TIME ?

NB : “ Before you develop talented players you must at first protect

them”

Gerard Houllier

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Maximising TIME

1. Schooling- getting more from curriculum time

All in one school- KRYLIA SOVETOV, AC Milan,Rosenborg

Liaise with 4/5 schools – Bayern Munich

FA do initial training at local centres ( France,Belgium,Germany,Austria)

2. Bussing

Ajax ( 16 Minibuses): Ajax – opposed to ‘Hostels’

3. Make the most of each Minute:

Not dull Repetition-mastering skills can’t yet manage

Practice fewer things but at higher quality - at the edge of capabilities ( Feyenoord)

Move activities to the web ( e.g. priming,homework,feedback)

4. Sleeping- Residential

AC Milan and Real Madrid from 14 years of age

KRYLIA SOVETOV

Werder Bremen /Bayer Munich

5. Sessions per week-after 11 years of age the minimum ratio seen is 4:1 (Practice: Game)

Under 11yrs : 2 + I game

12-14: 3 + 1 game

15-16 : 4/5 + 1 game

17-19 : 7+ 1 game

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KRYLIA SOVETOV – ‘ Konoplyov Football Academy’

A private football school founded in 1999 by Yury Konoplev , a

businessman

It is located in Tolyatti- 1,000 miles from Moscow

6 training pitches (3 of them are 3rd generation artificial with the turf)

facilities for playing football indoor, rehabilitation and medical centre, gym,

entertainment facilities including mini-cinema, etc.

About 250 football players live there full board (from 11 years )

Coaching and Selection involve about 1000 players per year

Children from different regions are attracted.

Education is free

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Maximising TIME- encouraging the player to take

more responsibility for their own development

Homework ! Case Study Iceland ( population 350,000)

• 20.000 copies of a skills DVD and gave one to every single player from age 16 and younger in the whole

country (age 5-16).

• Each player received his/her copy hand in hand from a national team player or a women´s national team

player or a national team coach.

• So the Icelandic FA (KSI) visited all the clubs in the country. It is the biggest grassroots project they have

ever had and they gave out 16,000 copies.

• There are only 20,500 players of all ages in Iceland so close to 80% of all of their players received a copy.

Can you encourage your players to maintain personal practice diaries?

Do they accept the value of practice ? Its humbling qualities

50

How to develop Quality Coaches for your program ?

NB: Steve Heighway,formerly Academy Director at Liverpool FC

‘ I want the coaches in our Academy to

know more about children than they do

about Football’

51

Developing Quality Coaches

Youth development is now a Profession ( % of Academy Managers

as Graduates)

Camps and Community Programs provide massive opportunities

for coaching

Federation Qualifications & CPD – industry norm: big step forward

UEFA Youth Coaches Certificate

More Coach Education happening in clubs rather than ‘ Courses’-

clubs as ‘coaching hubs’

More Qualified Teachers especially Under 16 yrs

Specialised Coaches- GK,technique,defense

Team Teaching e.g. Ajax > aids feedback

As players get feedback & Action Plans –so coaches expect this!

Use of ex-players – Real Madrid one session every two weeks in

positional groups + an ex-player in that position

52

PROGRAMS-what to coach

RESEARCH :Williams and Ford (2004):practice history of elite English 9-18

year olds

‘Amount of time Spent in soccer specific coach led INDIVIDUAL practice

was the strongest predictor of skill pre 14 years of age :after 14 years it

was the amount of time spent in coach led TEAM practice ‘

What would be core skills and understanding aspects of your program ?

53

Feedback to Players and Parents has been a game changer

Players ( and their parents) now expect personal Goal Setting Monitoring and Feedback

Feedback now 3,or 4 times a year

Or ( Crewe Alexander FC Academy) ….once a week !

• Report

• Discussion

• Goal Setting

• The development of individual learning programs

• Rosenborg : a simple SWOT Analysis + Agreed Action Plan

• Sparta Rotterdam : Self Evaluation via Video

54

Common Key Aspects of Elite Programs

• Skills (Attack and Defense)

1 v 1 Domination including protecting the ball

- Pass to a marked or unmarked player ?

- Number of fouls conceded at top level http://youtu.be/wDaFhCJC2Oo

- More use of the sole of the foot-Futsal? Boots? Fields

Passing and Moving ( less ‘undirectional’ static 3v1/4v2)

Passing and Control to achieve a strike at goal within 25 seconds

Heading ?????

• Game Understanding ( Attack and Defense)

Managing Turnovers ( 400 per game at highest level)

Creating and Exploiting Overloads

Creating and Finishing chances within the Penalty Area ( Gold Zone)

Long Range Shooting ????

Bio-Banding

• Matching formula for opposed situations -

height x weight divided by 1000 = group

e.g. 160 cm x 50 kg divided by 1000 = 8.0 =

Group 8

This player is allocated to Group 8. Players should play in small-sided games and be coached in opposed group practices with other players across a 2 group band (e.g. players in group 8 practice daily with players in groups 7, 8 and 9.

•Early v Late Maturers affect both players and also in more than just Physical

56

Games Program Considerations to support overall development ?

57

• SSG pre 11 years (except Ajax!)

• Number ( < 40 below 16 years) monitored and recorded

• Best v Best

• Playing Up

• No leagues until 16 years

• Evaluation

• Problem for some countries 18 -22 years

Games Program Considerations to support overall

development

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Support

• Educational

- Child Protection : Education, Screening & Complaints Procedures

- School Liaison and Homework : Education & Welfare Officers

• Sports Science and Medical

- Screening

- Monitoring Work loads

- Shin Guards

• Facilities

- Indoor Areas

- Synthetic Fields for play and competition

59

MARSHALLING PARENT POWER- parents and coaches

on the same page

Ajax,AC Milan,B.Muncih,Real Madrid …..’Parents !’

Club Guidelines for parents (Real Madrid) How to be a better Soccer

Parent –not a coach

Choosing an’ Elite’ Club

Realistic Goals and Expectations

Providing Feedback

Communication Channels

A Balanced Life-Style

Managing Disappointment

Managing Success- for the moment !

60

Factors to Evaluate an Elite Program

• Input

- Commitment

- Staff

- Program

- Facilities

- Support

• Output

- Quality of Players for first team

- Value of Players

- Value to local/national community

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Implications for DOC’s working in Youth Soccer in the USA

What are the 3 ‘Take Home Messages ‘ for you and your

Club/Association?

1............................................................................................

2............................................................................................

3............................................................................................

I would like to use the web to achieve these objectives

in my club /association

To support player

development

• 1……………………….

• 2……………………….

• 3……………………….

To support coach

development

• 1……………………….

• 2……………………….

• 3……………………….

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