6 Phases of Player Development



	Coaching Section

	6 Phases of Long Term Player Development PHASE 1 – THE FUNdamental PHASE Ages: 6-9 boys’ 6-8 girls The 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. LIFESTYLE _ Involvement in multi-sports _ Learn aspects of safety in relation to the game PERSONAL _ Enjoyment/Fun _ Fair Play _ Positive Attitude _ Teamwork/Interaction skills _ Self esteem/confidence TECHNICAL _ Basic motor skills: proper running, jumping and throwing technique _ Modified skills of different sports _ Knowledge of the basics of equipment _ Use of appropriate footwear and clothing _ Introduction to basic soccer skills with the ball. TACTICAL _ Know the basic rules and ethics of the sport _ Display basic game and movement concepts _ Play in Small Sided Games (SSG) – Basic 3v3; 5v5 in a defined area _ Implement basic attack and defence principles PHYSICAL _ General overall development and mobility _ Running, jumping, throwing _ Agility, Balance, Coordination, Speed (ABCs) _ Develop speed, power and endurance through FUN games _ Develop linear, lateral and multi-directional speed _ Medicine ball, swiss ball and own-body exercises for strength _ Basic body awareness – Stage 1 _ Flexibility/Mobility MENTAL _ Positive attitude to sport _ Confidence _ Concentration _ Achieve success and receive positive reinforcement _ Enjoy the game _ Be part of the group PHASE 2 – LEARNING TO TRAIN PHASE Age: 9-12 boys’ 8-11 girls The 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. LIFESTYLE _ Involvement in multi-sports _ Inclusion of sport in lifestyle _ Participation in complementary sports PERSONAL • Understand the changes puberty will bring • Accept discipline and structure • Understand the relationship between effort and outcome • Teamwork/interaction skills • Parental support • Motivation to participate TECHNICAL _ Fundamental skills progressively refined, combined & elaborated upon to more sport specific skills _ Willingness and knowledge of how to practise skills _ Soccer specific skills: dribbling, shooting, passing, controlling _ Combination of skills in game related activities TACTICAL _ Play modified and small-sided games _ Implement key game principles _ Play SSG: 9v9, 7v7, 5v5, 3v3 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 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 and bounding exercises _ Basic flexibility exercises _ Warm-up and stretching _ Basic body awareness – Stage 2 _ Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability MENTAL _ Introduction to mental preparation _ Understanding of the role of practice _ Perseverance _ Confidence _ Concentration _ Achieve success and receive positive reinforcement _ Goal setting (short term) PHASE 3 – TRAINING TO TRAIN PHASE Age: 12 – 16 boys’ 11 – 15 girls The 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. LIFESTYLE _ Employ correct nutrition/hydration practices _ Training and performance diary/log _ Time management _ Introduction to planning and periodisation _ Rest and recovery _ Balance playing with social and school _ Dealing with social problems e.g. alcohol culture, peer pressure, school, jobs etc _ Prepare for transition if going to UK PERSONAL _ Interpersonal skills and learning to work in team environment _ Positive communication _ Discipline and personal responsibility _ Awareness of Peak Height Velocity and windows of trainability _ Creative thinking _ Commitment to improve/achieve goals _ Personal responsibility TECHNICAL _ Individualisation of skills training to address strengths and weaknesses _ Consistency in performing skills/techniques: passing, dribbling, controlling _ Perform skills under competitive conditions _ Develop techniques through tactical links _ Positional awareness in relation to ball and opposition _ Passing/Possession, higher levels of ball control _ 1v1 dribbling technique TACTICAL _ Undergo the early stages of tactical preparation _ Implement basic team principles and positions: team shape _ Support, showing for the ball, movement off the ball, timing of runs and angles of receiving: ‘Show-Pass- Control’ _ Play effectively in SSG: 4v4, 5v5, 6v6, 7v7 games (in training) _ Play the full 11v11 game _ Implement more advanced concepts of attack/defence _ Play in different positions _ Understand the rules of the game _ Use of space/run into space effectively _ Read and understand the game _ Display an awareness of opposition _ Implement concepts of width and depth PHYSICAL _ Emphasis on general and balanced physical conditioning _ Aerobic training prioritised after the onset of Peak Height Velocity (PHV) _ Strength training prioritised in females after PHV and with the onset of menarche _ Strength training prioritised in males 12-18 months after PHV _ Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability _ Flexibility training _ Frequent musculoskeletal evaluations during PHV _ Good body posture _ Soccer specific physical conditioning e.g. stamina, speed, strength, suppleness, skill _ Knows how to train different components of fitness MENTAL _ Goal setting (short and medium term) _ Imagery (practicing and improving technique and self confidence) _ Relaxation (deep breathing) _ Patience and control _ Concentration _ Continued positive reinforcement _ Basic anxiety control _ Focusing, self-talk and verbal cues _ Balanced and winning mentality PHASE 4 - TRAINING TO COMPETE PHASE Ages: 16 – 18 boys’ 15 – 17 girls The 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. LIFESTYLE _ Individualisation of ancillary supports _ Refined self-monitoring _ Plan career/sport options _ Increased knowledge on hydration and nutrition _ Preparation for different environments e.g. heat/cold/rain/altitude _ Injury prevention and recovery _ Understand planning and periodisation _ Develop a support network _ Awareness of scholarships and compensation schemes PERSONAL _ Continued personal development _ Integration of soccer, career and life goals _ Economic and independence issues addressed TECHNICAL _ Proficiency in basic soccer skills _ Soccer-specific technical and playing skills under competitive conditions and at high intensity _ Individualisation of skills: ‘personal style’ _ Consistency and control _ Competition-simulation training TACTICAL _ More advanced team play and principles in the full game _ Carry out effective set-piece play _ Implement different attacking styles _ Individual specific role within team _ Awareness of new styles/systems/plays _ Develop a winning mentality and implement ‘winning tactics’ _ Ability to link to players/units of team movement on/off the ball _ Play in 11v11 format _ Develop individual strengths within confines of team style _ Ability to read the game _ Awareness of opponent’s tactics, strengths and weaknesses _ Event- and position-specific tactical preparation _ Principles of attack and defence _ Ability to plan and assess competition _ Adaptation to different situations _ Observe and adapt to opponents _ Detailed systems of play: strategies _ Clarity of team shape and role within the team _ Ability to deal with tactical problems _ Awareness of variations in systems/styles _ Reading the game (SWOT analysis) _ Plan and assess competition and prioritise _ Playing training game: working in SSG up to 11v11 PHYSICAL _ Soccer-, position- and individual specific intensive physical conditioning _ Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability _ Optimum preparation: tapering and peaking _ Individualisation of physical capacities to address strengths and weaknesses _ Dealing with environmental influence MENTAL _ Personal responsibility and involvement in decision-making _ Focus and thought control – self talk /verbal cues (dealing with distractions and negative thoughts) _ Goal setting (long term) _ Performance routines and precompetition preparation _ Imagery (competition, different situations/problems, practising strategies) _ Anxiety control and relaxation (Progressive Muscle Relaxation, hypnosis) _ Performance routines and precompetition preparation _ Basic re-focusing PHASE 5 – TRAINING TO WIN PHASE Age: 18 boys 17 girls This 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. LIFESTYLE _ Increased knowledge on all areas _ Rest and relaxation. Frequent breaks _ Well developed self monitoring _ Well developed and integrated support network/structure _ Career/sport planning sustained PERSONAL _ Full integration of soccer, career and life goals TECHNICAL _ Complete refinement of soccer specific skills _ Event-/competition-specific training skills are automatic/second nature _ Ability to improvise with skills _ Further development and refinement of soccer specific skills _ ‘Automatic’ and consistent performance of soccer specific skills TACTICAL _ Develop effective competition strategies _ Adapt strategies to situation _ Model all possible aspects of performance in training _ Play to strengths, exploit weaknesses of opponents _ Clarity of team shape and roles within _ Varying trends in the modern international tournaments _ Maximise on National and European competition opportunities _ Adapting to climatic conditions e.g. extreme heat or cold, in both training and playing _ SWOT analysis (individual and team) _ Successful tactics and strategies and necessary variation needed to winning ways _ The importance/ variation/options of set pieces in attack/defence – organisation within PHYSICAL _ Maintenance and possible improvement of physical capacities with a view to maximising performance _ Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability _ All physical fitness aspects individualised _ Frequent prophylactic (preventative) breaks _ Maintenance and possible improvement of physical capacities MENTAL _ Independent decision-making _ Capable of teamwork and taking advice _ Well-developed, refined and individualised mental skills and routines _ Refocusing plans/coping strategies _ Will to win/drive _ Concentration/focus _ Full range of mental skills (4 C’s) PHASE 6 – RETAINMENT This 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 transition. LIFESTYLE _ Pursue personal and family goals more strongly _ Pursue further education/career development _ Possible engagement in administration, coaching, media/PR _ Seek transition support, if required PERSONAL _ Reset goals TECHNICAL _ Retain skills and apply in a recreational context TACTICAL _ Retain recreational involvement _ Tactics to enjoy the game PHYSICAL _ Keep active through soccer participation _ Endurance training _ Strength training _ Flexibility training MENTAL _ Relaxation _ Readjustment to non-competitive environment _ Ability to handle pressure/stress