‘Good Practice in European Youth Academies’…and their relevance to US Youth
Soccer Programs
NSCAA Advanced Director of Coaching Course
June 2013
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 Comments Youth Soccer Program 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 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?
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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 !
4 Countries providing players in the top 6 European Leagues ( Italian Study 2008 )
5 ‘Graduates’ of Academies in the top 6
Leagues in Europe’ ( Italian Study 2008 )
6 Academies providing players in 31 ‘top leagues’ in Europe ( 2013 : Source The International Centre for Sports Studies)
7 Key Factors which demonstrate Vision & Commitment to develop Young People as talented footballers?
8 Vision & Commitment to develop Young People as talented footballers: Whole Person /Holistic Development . 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, 9 Identifying Talent- developing a Talent ID plan as part of the overall Youth Development Plan
. 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
10 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
THE 4 CORNERS AND THE AGES HAVE A CHANGING EFFECT AND IMPACT OVER TIME
PHYSICAL SOCIAL 12 . What looking for ?- if you are briefing scouts
13 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
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Physical Technical Mental
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Midfield #8 Player Profiling 50% Defender Endurance 14K Tight Receiving Skills Concentration
Speed Endurance 7 Passes Brave Strength RWTB Commitment Physical Tactical Mental Shooting Resilient Tracking Runs Goal Keeper #1 6’ 2” Shot Stopping Resilient Tackling Agile Distribution Brave Defensive Support Powerful Communication Midfield #10 30% Defender Sharp Perception & Intelligence Confident Full Back #2,#3 Agile 1v1 Defending Concentration 70% Attacker Speed Endurance Tight & Disguised recv/turning Risk Taker 75% Defender Speed Defending Far Post Resilience RWTB Extrovert ? Speed-Endurance Defensive Support Play Controlled Match Winner Dribbling Quick Minded Brave When, Where, How use space Transition Player Set Play Specialist Centre Half #5,#6 6’1” 1v1 Defending Leadership Creative passer 80% Defender Agile Heading Concentration Powerful Alert in possession Communication Forward #9 Defensive Support Play Brave 20% Defender 6’+ Perception / Awareness Big Personality 5 solid passing options Consistency 80% Attacker Strong Runner Recv Skills - Back to goal Selfish Powerful - Behind Brave Pace RWTB / Dribbling Controller Agile Tight Receiving Skills Leadership Space Creation In & Out Box 50% Defender Quick Perception Concentration Heading Powerful 360 Range Passing Resilience Support Play Speed Endurance Support Play Bravery on ball Usher one direction Creation Space Consistency Set Play Specialist Heading Screen Play Forward #7 #11 Breaking Up Play 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
15 . How ? : Subjective v checklist ?;Objective data, Tests, Try Outs, Ongoing
16 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
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 Enthusiastic Takes Responsbility
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY How well does he understand his role? How well does he read the game? Strengths Does he make good decisions?
TECHNIQUE
How well does he cope technically w ith the demands of his position? How good is his range of techniques?
SPEED
How quick is he? Weaknesses Does he have a change of pace?
FITNESS
How well does he compete physically? How well is he equipped physically? How well does he last the game?
EFFECTIVENESS
To what 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 viewed again C = below 60 C = Not up to standard
COMPLETED BY ______
SIGNED ______DATE ______
18 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
19 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 ? 20 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? 21 22 Kunstschütze
23 Dribbelkünstler
24 Ballzauberer
25 Kurzpass-Ass
26 Kopfballkönig
27 Flankengeber
28 Elferkönig
29 TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGY
THE 4 CORNERS AND THE AGES HAVE A CHANGING EFFECT AND IMPACT OVER TIME
PHYSICAL SOCIAL 30 TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE –PHYSIOLOGICAL
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 ?
31 . Who?- Profile : birthdates,positions,family ?
32 TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGY
THE 4 CORNERS AND THE AGES HAVE A CHANGING EFFECT AND IMPACT OVER TIME
PHYSICAL SOCIAL 33 Two Case Studies
15 years 15 years 4 months old 5 months old
• What are the likely benefits and threats to each player’s development ?
34 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? 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
37 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 38 Do you maintain weigh and measure your players? ‘Graduates’ of Academies in the top 6
Leagues in Europe’ ( Italian Study 2008 )
39 40 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 ?
41 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 42
. Where? : where are your hot spots ?
43 TALENT IDENTIFICATION-SELECT WHAT’S MEASURABLE – WHERE ARE THEY?
. 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?
44 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 45 How can you maximise Practice TIME ?
NB : “ Before you develop talented players you must at first protect
them”
Gerard Houllier
46 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 47 . 17-19 : 7+ 1 game
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
48 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 49 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’
50 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 51
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 ?
52 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
53 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 ????
54 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 Games Program Considerations to support overall development ?
56 Games Program Considerations to support overall development
• 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
57 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
58 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 !
59 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
60 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......
61 I would like to use the web to achieve these objectives in my club /association
To support player To support coach development development • 1………………………. • 1……………………….
• 2………………………. • 2……………………….
• 3………………………. • 3……………………….
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