Football Development

Player Pathway"Scientific research has concluded that it takes eight to twelve years of training for a player / athlete to reach elite levels. This is called the ten year rule or 10,000 hour rule, which translates to slightly more than three hours practice daily for ten years. Unfortunately, parents and coaches in many sports still approach training with an attitude best characterised as "peaking by Friday", where a short term approach is taken to training and performance with an over emphasis on immediate results. We now know that a long-term commitment to practice and training is required to produce elite players / athletes in all sports. A specific and well planned practice, training, competition and recovery regime will ensure optimum development throughout a player / athlete's career. Ultimately, sustained success comes from training and performing well over the long term rather than winning in the short term. There is no shortcut to success in athletic preparation. Rushing competition will always result in shortcomings in physical, technical, tactical, mental, personal and lifestyle capacities". Source "Building Pathways in Irish Sport" the National Coaching and Training CentreBased on this framework, fun, fundamental motor skills and soccer specific skill development should be strongly emphasised at an early age. Competition for younger children needs to be balanced with the need to develop skills. At present in Ireland there is an overemphasis on competition to the detriment of opportunities to practice. If younger players are to develop their skills and decision making, they need to be exposed to enjoyable practices to develop their capacities on a regular basis. There is a need to review existing competition structures to ensure that the right balance is achieved between training and competition at the different age groups. The FAI in consultation with the NCTC and international player / athlete development expert Dr. Istvan Balyi have developed a six phase model of long term player development (see figure 3). The main elements of these phases are presented below in a modified form;



Phase 1 - The FUNdamental PhaseAge: Males 6 to 9 / Females 6 to 8 yearsThe main objective of this phase is to learn all the fundamental movement skills using a well-structured, positive and fun approach. Soccer skills should be introduced, with an emphasis on fun, skill development and small sided games. Appropriate and correct running, jumping and throwing techniques are taught using the ABC's of athletics. Participation in as many sports as possible is encouraged. The development of these fundamental movement skills will contribute significantly to future at achievements.



Phase 2 - The Learning to Train PhaseAge: Males 9 to 12 / Females 8 to 11 yearsThe main objective of this phase is to learn the specific soccer 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.



Phase 3 - The Training to Train PhaseAge: Males 12 to 16 / Females 11 to 15 YearsThe main objective of this phase is to consolidate basic soccer skills, introduce the basic elements of tactics and to address the two critical periods of physical development namely the aerobic base and strength of players. It should be noted that both aerobic and strength trainability is dependent on maturation levels and not solely chronological age.



Phase 4 - The Training to Compete PhaseAge: Males 16 to 18 / Females 15 to 17 yearsThe main objective of this phase is to optimise fitness preparation and soccer, individual and position-specific skills as well as performance. More advanced tactical elements of the game are introduced. During this phase, high intensity individual, and position-specific training is provided to players. Soccer specific skills are performed under a variety of competitive conditions during training. Special emphasis is placed on optimum preparation by modelling training and competition.



Phase 5 - The Training to Win PhaseAge: Males 18yrs and older / Females 17 yrs and olderThis final phase of player preparation aims to maximise fitness preparation and soccer, individual and position-specific skills as well as performance. All of the player's capacities are now fully established and players are trained to peak for major competitions. Training is characterised by high intensity and relatively high volume with frequent periods of rest.



Phase 6 - The Retainment PhaseThis phase refers to the activities performed after a player has retired from competition permanently. The aim of this phase is to retain players for coaching, sport administration, officiating or recreational participation in the game. For semi professional and professional players this phase will include career planning and transitionAs part of the implementation of the Technical Development Plan an outline of the key capacities that should be developed at each phase of the development of players was developed in consultation with over 150 of Ireland best coaches operating at all levels of the game. These capacities were then subject to a final review by national and international experts before their adoption and publication. The model now forms the basis of a comprehensive Player Development Manual that guides the development of the FAI Coach Education Courses and Emerging Talent Programme.


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