Beautiful game for youth palyers

CATEGORY ARCHIVES: HORST WEIN

OPTIMAL YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST PART 6

Posted on 05/06/2013

PART 6:INTEGRATED TRAINING THROUGH GAMES
Using simplified small-sided games in training rather than isolated physical conditioning through laps and sprints and technical training in drills is a more integrated approach to player development. It includes the physical, technical, tactical, psychological and social elements of the real game and, most importantly, helps players to develop game intelligence, the most important factor in football.

There is a better transfer of technique through playing in games and the physical conditioning is much more football-specific and intense in small-sided games.

All players, especially young players enjoy playing games much more than drills, which is hugely motivational.

All four aspects of Game Intelligence – perception, understanding, decision-making and execution – are improved in simplified small-sided games.

For all youngsters the FUNino  games (3v3 with four goals) offer a superior menu of games and variations to cover many important game situations and develop game intelligence in attack, defence, transitions and ball possession.

1. Ideally kids should play football every day, often without supervision.
Just as in times gone by, street football, or pick-up games that happen naturally are a great environment for kids to develop on their own without being over-coached. Alternatively, organized activities either in school or at the club/academy, will serve this purpose. 

2. Kids should train at least three times per week for 90 mins.
Unfortunately football talent, like any other talent, needs time and dedication. Ideally kids should train regularly and especially using small sided games.

3. Use games rather than warm-ups/physical training/drills.
Most coaches today recognize the need for small sided games in training, there are so many benefits, see introduction above.

4. Give players technical homework.
Rather than spend your group training time working on technique, give the young players technical homework, such as wall-ball or other exercises that they can play with the friends to improve their first touch, passing, shooting, dribbling etc.

5. Simplified small-sided games should correlate with their competitions.
It is critical that the training is specific to the competitions that the children play. We recommend that the training games have less numbers than their competition games, e.g. 3v3 training games for 5/7-a-side and 4v4 for 8-a-side. Also they must focus on age-appropriate topics, not just sized-down adult football.

6. Exercises/drills only when prescribed to fix a deficiency.
Drills/exercises have their place to correct technique and tactics. We find it is much more motivating for players when the coach helps them to find any deficiencies in their game and then apply appropriate “corrective exercises.”

7. Variety.
Players enjoy variety in their training and a good menu of training games with associated variations not only keeps it interesting but actually helps to reinforce skills and tactics.

8. Repeat specific game situations until lessons have been reinforced.
Usually a minimum of 5 repetitions is required to consolidate learning of game situations. It is important to give players this time before moving onto a new topic. Through repetition of basic game situations, players learn to read the game and make better decisions.

9. Let players choose what they would like, sometimes.
Giving players responsibility for their activities is very empowering to them and offers a refreshing break from being always told what to do.

10. Progress the games as the players achieve mastery.
Once the players have mastered a given situation, then it is time to stimulate them with a new challenge or a progression of the same lesson they have learned. Development thus becomes a virtuous path of continuous improvement and success.

THE GAME IS THE TEACHER!

Posted in Coaching, Horst Wein, Uncategorized, Youth Development

OPTIMAL YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST PART 5

Posted on 29/05/2013

 PART 5: A MODERN COACHING STYLE
There have been many beneficial innovations in football coaching and education in general over the last decade or so, but not all coaches have been implementing them. The genuinely modern coach who has the welfare and development of the kids at heart will endeavour to fulfil the following criteria:

1. The coach/manager should emphasise development more than results!
2. He should  know and respect the rights and needs of his players  (see Horst Wein Model) at each age group and also their individual needs.
3. He should have a good knowledge of the game of football and the appropriate curriculum for the age group he is working with.
4. He should act fairly and evenly with all the kids under his care to help all of them reach their full potential.
5. He should use words and actions of encouragement towards the players, creating an enjoyable and friendly environment for them to blossom.
6. He should use less instruction and more active learning, empowering the players through giving them responsibility and welcoming their opinions.
7. He should use games more than drills in training, so that the game itself becomes the teacher.
8. He should use the Guided Discovery method of learning with his young players, employing more questions/problems which they must answer/solve for themselves. This ensures greater participation and attention, deeper knowledge of the game and greater retention of lessons learnt, helping to create decision-makers on the pitch.
9. He should be able to use different games/variables/progressions in training to keep his players interested and ensure steady progress, always challenging the players, but not overstretching them, so they develop in a continuous experience of success.
10. He will need a lot of patience and perseverance, bearing with the foibles of young growing children, and allowing them to develop steadily and naturally.  He will also need the moral courage to defend his players against the pressures from the other adults who demand more than is fair from the players, especially with regards to results.

Below is a table comparing an ideal modern coach with an extreme example of traditional coaching in an environment of “Winning at all costs.”

MODERN COACH	TRADITIONAL COACH
PLAYER-CENTRED The player’s  innate potential is valued Collaborative learning with the coach Players empowered  through involvement	COACH-CENTRED The player is considered an  “Empty vessel” The Coach as the font of all wisdom Players are not as engaged
DEVELOPMENT FIRST Long term development strategy Recognizes the time it takes to develop Model with progressive curriculum Children are allowed to be children Players experience all positions All players get a fair chance More rounded, creative players	WINNING AT ALL COSTS Short term winning all important Must have immediate results on the pitch The next game is all that matters The adult game is forced on children Early specialization to win games Bigger stronger players get most play Obedient competitors but  lacking in flair
HAS A PLAN A complete Model for Optimal Development Age-oriented curriculum Step by step approach to coaching Covers all topics comprehensively Players can reach their full potential	RANDOM TOPICS onLY RELATED TO WINNING A collection of hints, tips and drills Not usually age-appropriate Pressured approach to winning Topics mainly related to winning Talent is often wasted
GAME-ORIENTED Global Method (Games) for “open” skills Integration of technical, tactical,  physical and cognitive elements of the game Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) Simplified Games at the heart of training Exercises for correction after the game Greater motivation for players in training Greater transfer to the real game	DRILLS ORIENTED Analytical Method (Drills) for “closed” skills Segmentation of each element Conditioning using exercises Game usually as a reward at the end Conditioning drills  before the game Little motivation for players in training Poor transfer to the real game
GUIDED DISCOVERY Active learning Dialogue Effective questioning Deeper learning experience Greater retention of learning Create Decision Makers	INSTRUCTIONS Passive Learning Monologue One-way instructions Often counter-productive Poor retention of learning Create obedient robotic players
COACHING SKILLS Knows how to get the most from his players Knows his topics very well Modifies conditions/rules  to suit his players Knows when his players are ready to progress Skilled at asking questions Uses a wide variety of stimuli Gives players opportunities to discover things for themselves Creates a healthy environment to stimulate creativity and game intelligence	COACHING SKILLS Usually focused on winning Focused on winning topics mainly Usually does not use variables Less aware of his players progress Doesn’t usually ask questions Often limited and rigid topics Demands obedience and conformity to the accepted norms Constant instruction frustrates creativity in players
POSITIVE ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT Stimulation Great variety Encouragement Progressive – Success builds on success Motivated players	MILITARY BOOTCAMP Fixing  “mistakes” Limited variety Pressure Games and training often not age-appropriate De-motivated players

Posted in Coaching, Horst Wein, Uncategorized, Youth Development

OPTIMAL YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVLEOPMENT CHECKLIST PART 4

Posted on 11/05/2013

 

PART 4: AGE-APPROPRIATE COMPETITIONS

The concept of readiness is very important in youth football development. It is important to recognize the stages of childhood development when putting together a programme of youth football activities. Unfortunately, in many cases we adults involved in the game are impatient to introduce young children to the adult game and the adult way of training.

For optimal development in youth football the following points should be considered:

1. The ideal competition structures we would recommend for optimal development are as follows:

• Multilateral games primarily before the age of 7
• 7/8/9 years   = 3v3 on four goals (FUNino)
• 10 years         = 5v5
• 11/12 years  = 7v7
• 13 years         = 8v8
• 14+ years      = 11v11

Children younger than 7 still need to spend a lot of time developing their Fundamental Movement Skills, sometimes called the ABCs (Agility, Balance and Coordination). Fun games with lots of different movements, even without a ball are recommended for this age group. These multilateral games should still be used in later years, but to a lesser extent.

For children 7-9 years of age we recommend FUNino, our 3v3 game with 4 goals.

10 year olds play 5 –a-side and 11 and 12 year olds play 7-a-side football.

We highly recommend that for one year, players at 13 years of age play 8v8 on a pitch with the goals moved up to the 18 yard line.

It is far better for children not to play in a league competition until at least 11 or 12 years of age. Many professional academies do not play competitive football until the late teens.

There are so many benefits to small-sided games for young players: more touches on the ball, more creativity and skills exhibited, more goalmouth action and chances to score, more transitions from attack to defence and vice versa,  simpler decision-making and more repetition of basic game situations, to name a few.

2. Delay 11-a-side soccer until 14 years at the earliest.
Contrary to popular belief, the game of football is not a simple game. There are many tactical decisions to be made in the complex adult game and having an age-appropriate, step by step approach to learning and experiencing the game will bear more fruit than rushing children as young as 11 years of age, sometimes,  into the adult game. Also, children before the age of 14 usually haven’t experienced their growth spurt yet and are very small to be playing on a full size pitch. The distances young players must run on a full size pitch involves too much anaerobic activity which is unhealthy at this age.
The small-sided games above offer a far more appropriate structure for children’s competitions.

3. Multiple Competitions instead of one long competitive league per season which can create all sorts of pressures from the adults, it is far better to have short tournaments, one day events, triathlons, pentathlons and decathlons. Children benefit greatly from variety and also from shorter competition structures. In general having a less competitive structure at the younger ages reduces stress and enhances creativity along with many other developmental benefits.

4. The right size pitch, ball and goal for each age group.
In our hurry to have young children play the adult game, we often force them to play in the same conditions, forgetting that they are still developing children. Just imagine the unfortunate 11 year old goalkeeper in the adult goal playing 11-a-side. He may stand no taller than 4’6” and still has to defend a goal 8 foot high by 24 foot wide! Size 3 balls are recommended for 6-9 years, size 4 for 10-13 years and only from 14 years should the size 5 ball be used. Having the right size goal makes a massive difference to the young players. We recommend 4x2m goals for 5 a side and 6x2m goals for 7 and 8-a-side football.

5. Address the relative age-effect.
Many studies like the one below confirm that across all elite sports, children born early in the sporting year have a distinct advantage over those born later in the year. In elite football, early born players are 4 times more likely to succeed than late-borns.

Usually, the simplest and most effective way to address the RAE, is to have non-competitive game structures up until the age of at least 11 or 12 and ideally until the mid-teens.  This way, when winning is less important than development, all players are given a fairer chance to play and more equal access to quality training.

6. Include multilateral competitions, not just football-specific.
Young footballers, even up to the early teens are still developing their Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) sometimes called ABCs, (Agility, Balance and Coordination). Including multilateral games, with different movement patterns will help to establish these fundamental skills, along with the football specific skills. In training multilateral activities should make up a good proportion of the overall programme, as much as 60% at 6 years of age, then 10% less for each successive year.

The above structural considerations are already bearing much fruit across Europe and many countries have moved closer to the ideal game structures recommended here with non-competitive small-sided games becoming ever more popular.

Posted in Horst Wein, Philosopy, Small Sided Games, Uncategorized, Youth Development

Horst Wein on How To Develop The Best Youth Soccer Players

Posted on 06/03/2013

Interview with Dianne Scavuzzo ofsoccernation.com

Feb 11, 2013

Youth Soccer News: Legendary Coaching Mentor Horst Wein on Improving Youth Soccer Development in America

“When you do what you have done always, you will never reach any further” – Horst Wein.

 

Considered a coach for the world’s best coaches, Horst Wein has consulted for FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Sunderland, Leeds United, Atletico Bilbao, Villareal, Real Sociedad, Bayer Leverkusen, VFB Stuttgart, Schalke 04, Mainz 04, St Pauli, TSG Hoffenheim, Deportiva Cali, Peñarol Montevideo, Pumas, C.America, Nacional Montevideo, Universidad Católica, Liga Univers, FC Adelaide and FC Kenkre.

Wein has also worked with the National Federations of England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Russia, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Finland Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, Australia, India and Singapore. It might have been easier if I listed the Federations Horst has not helped.

Player centered approach to coaching youth soccer that puts the child first … Keeping it FUN and allowing a guided discovery approach for real player development … Launching a renaissance of street football – these are all more than buzz words for Wein.

Horst Wein is one of the foremost mentors of top coaches in the world, having worked in over 50 countries around the world. In the last 25 years he has mentored or influenced over 11,000 soccer coaches, focusing on presenting an age-appropriate, progressive training program for young players. Wein has also held coaching assignments in five Olympic sports, been a lecturer at numerous institutions and football federations, and was Director of the Sports Department of the Organizing Committee of the XX Olympiad.

Wein is the author of 34 sports books. Developing Youth Football Players, has sold more than 100,000 copies and has been selected as the official textbook of both theSpanish Football Federation and the Football Federation of Australia.

As an outspoken advocate of a more child-centered approach to soccer, Wein has spoken widely of “game intelligence” and the need for major changes in youth soccer. “It is not sufficient to teach your players well,” he has said, “it’s essential for future successes to prepare them better than others.”

Wein shares this passion for youth player development and tells us what he believes is necessary to prepare youth soccer players to succeed.

Diane Scavuzzo: What is wrong with American youth soccer?

Horst Wein: One of the problems in American youth soccer is our young players are not playing small-sided games. Small sided games should be played that correlate with their abilities. This would solve many problems the American youth is facing nowadays.

There are many other problems, including the over use of exercises, a lack of variety in drills and training as well as the the issue that players are not made to feel competent in training and during games at each stage of development.

Most of these problems are not even yet considered. The introduction of 3v3 football for the younger players under 10 would become a great starting point for American Soccer.

Diane Scavuzzo: Why does American youth soccer have these problems? Is it the size of the country? The youth clubs turning soccer into a business? A lack of leadership?

Horst Wein: The size of the country or the pool of players is not the most important factor. However, with over 24 million people playing soccer in America, it is time that this very highly developed country produces players who are capable of competing with the best in the world on the highest level.

Youth football in the U.S. is by far too competitive and this is no doubt a big contributing factor in holding back development in America.

It is causing more premature drop-outs from the game than in any other country, as its structure is not child-like. Children are forced to play like adults. Their vital needs are not respected at all.

While many youth clubs or academies are run professionally in America, this in itself does not solve a major issue. It is what program these academies use to train the children.

Soccer is not made “a la medida del niño” (to the measure of the child) in the USA; it is a miniature game of adult soccer.

Diane Scavuzzo: Why has this happened? Have Coaches lacked the proper training?

Is the problem the American soccer culture which grew up on fast foods and immediate success in other sports?

Horst Wein: America is a relatively new soccer country.

But even with countries with more than 100 years of tradition there is a huge need to educate coaches and parents on a new, more holistic and game-intelligent approach to developing young football players.

The most important human muscle has been forgotten completely. In the future, Americans have to consider soccer more a game of knowledge – a cognitive game instead of a physical game!

There may be unique pressures in American soccer as many parents see sports scholarships as a ticket to future success and a way of saving vast sums of money on college fees.

Also there can be an over-emphasis on athleticism, strength and speed.

In the modern game of football these talents have become less important, being replaced by greater skill and especially by game intelligence.

It is critical to consider the brain as the greatest power on the soccer field. one kg of muscle weight counts less than 1 mg of brain tissue.

If the natural competitiveness, athleticism, and creativity of American kids were harnessed in a more optimal development model, then America would truly arrive on the world stage of soccer in 15 years.

Diane Scavuzzo: Can you tell me who you think does a great job of player development?

Horst Wein: Any coach who realizes the need for an age-appropriate, player-centered model of development will make a significant contribution to the young soccer player.

Many people involved in youth soccer in America have realized the importance of small-sided games, but it has to be assured that these simplified soccer games are used appropriately.

Without an optimal development model and appropriate youth competitions actually in force, the youth football structure in America does not help. Instead it can do more harm to the young players.

The proof of this is America’s youth soccer drop-out rate, which is the highest (in percentage) in the world.

Why? Young people don’t feel capable of playing a game which is not designed for their physical and mental capacities.

The introduction of 3v3 football for the younger players under 10 would be a great starting point for American Soccer, as everybody discovers after a few months the many benefits of playing the FUNiño game. It would solve many problems the American youth is facing nowadays, such as obesity and need for exercise and to be with friends. There is a chapter on the many benefits in my digital book at www.thebeautifulgame.ie. Your readers may also download a list of 100 benefits from working with my model.

Diane Scavuzzo: What specifically could we adapt and modify?

Horst Wein: America could use an optimal development model, such as my Spanish Youth Football Development Model which has been in force for 27 years.

This model for youth player development includes:

A. Structure (Competitions)

Non-competitive (no leagues) until 14 years of age

7-9 years of age FUNiño (3v3)

10 years of age 5v5 soccer

11-12 years of age 7v7 soccer

13 years of age 8v8 soccer

14+ years of age 11v11 soccer

B. Style (Coaching Style)

Player-centered rather than coach-centered

Guided-discovery rather than instruction

C. Substance (Curriculum)

Game Intelligence for all ages

Games-oriented training rather than drills

Simplified games in training to correlate with the competitive games for each age group.

Diane Scavuzzo: How can American parents improve soccer player development in the USA? What can parents do better?

Horst Wein: Parents need to realize that young people have enough pressures on them in life and need to be able to experience the game of soccer football without interference from adults.

Diane Scavuzzo: Do you have a favorite team to watch?

Horst Wein: I enjoy watching teams that play with the ball and not against it, that play constructively and contribute to the beautiful game. Teams that play in such a way exhibit Game Intelligence as well as creativity and individual flair.

Diane Scavuzzo: What has been your greatest challenge?

Horst Wein: My greatest challenge has been to convince all people in soccer around the world that the game of football for children should be like their shoes – it should fit them perfectly.Most adults are impatient to have children play the adult game of 11v11 instead of allowing them to follow a natural course of development and enjoyment of the game. The best players will come from such a natural structure.

My particular mission for almost 30 years now has been to create a model of development which will allow all young players the chance to reach their full potential in the game of soccer, whatever that may be. I believe that I have created a model that will not only give each child a chance to develop optimally, but one that is also fair to everyone so that no talent goes to waste and everyone involved in the game has a positive contribution to make.

The Beautiful Game is not just about winning.

It is about using soccer as an important tool to form the character of the young person, to transmit important life skills and to develop future citizens. This unfortunately doesn’t happen when young people are forced to play a kind of soccer for which they are not yet ready. They are forced to play the too-complex and too-difficult game as adults, but they are unable to understand it and solve the problems which have to be resolved.

All over the world kids are forced to play as adults, but 20-30 years ago they played on the street like kids. So it’s time to return to nature (as the great philospher Jean Jacques Rousseau said) to benefit everyone and to develop valuable citizens.

All over the world young people play soccer focused on a centralized goal. This way their perception skills are getting diminished, and with time they obtain a “tunnel vision” which is detrimental for high performance soccer. That is why I recently have re-launched my unique mini-soccer program which is played with four goals and 3 players per team. This new program called FUNiño is considered in Germany and Spain as “The Renaissance of Street Football.”

On October 31, Arrigo Sacchi, director of Italian Soccer, recommend that all clubs in the Serie A offer this game and its 32 variations for the kids under 10. Today it’s starting to conquer the world – Germany, Italy and Spain have used it for many years. The coach of Xavi Hernandez told me that he used it with Xavi some 24 years ago.

We call FUNiño “The Beautiful Game for kids,” as it is designed specifically for children under 10 years of age. We believe it will make a major global contribution to youth football development. FUNiño can cause a major breakthrough in the thinking of youth football coaches and introduce a more player-centered, age-appropriate style of coaching.

Diane Scavuzzo: What are yout thoughts on Jurgen Klinsmann…

Horst Wein: Jurgen Klinsmann is a bright coach who told us that soccer is one of the less developed and investigated sports …. Klinsmann has my book DEVELOPING GAME INTELLIGENCE IN SOCCER.

Diane Scavuzzo: Thank you for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers.

Posted in Coaching, Horst Wein, Youth Development

The Positional Attack – The Beginning of Constructive Play

Posted on 28/07/2012

As Euro 2012 drew to a climactic conclusion, something remarkable emerged from this tournament, finallly European football had awakened to the value of possession football. Even Italy, with their classical counterattacking style began to retain the ball and build constructively. In their quarter final game against England, they had 67% possession and even shaded the masters, Spain in the first half of the final.
What was very noticeable as the tournament wore on was that teams that resorted to the long-ball tactic, from the goalkeeper and defenders,  Ireland and England amongst others, had an early exit and thankfully the two teams who tried to keep the ball and play football reached the final. Ultimately, the masters emerged victorious, vindicating The Beautiful Game and constructive possession football, with their historic third consecutive major international trophy in 4 years.

The Positional Attack online Book Now Available click here

In order to keep possession of the ball, their must be a culture of keeping the ball and playing patiently and constructively. Then there must be a specific training programme to achieve high levels of technical and tactical skill based around the fundamental principle of keeping the ball, controlling the game and playing constructive attacking football.

Great possession football must begin at the back, if the goalkeeper and defenders learn to be comfortable on the ball and to pass constructively, this sets the tempo for the rest of the team. Many restarts begin with the goalkeeper, and today keepers use their feet 6 times more than they did a few years ago.

Horst Wein has just released this new online book to help coaches teach The Positional Attack – playing out from the back:

THE POSITIONAL ATTACK

Building play from the back – a coaching manual

• Train your defenders to initiate attacking moves, safely and confidently
• Help your back four and goalkeeper to become comfortable on the ball
• Retain more possession especially from restarts

In the modern, game of football based on controlling the game through possession, the best teams  are capable of playing constructively  from the back. This allows them to enjoy more possession as the keeper and back four retain the ball rather than launch it high and long up-field where it has to be won again.

Horst Wein brings his unique Game Intelligence approach to coaching The Positional Attack including Simplified Games and guided discovery questions that will help your players to learn, understand, practice and master this critical aspect of constructive possession football.

The Positional Attack online Book Now Available click here

 

Includes:

• An introduction to The Game Intelligence approach to coaching
• 9 progressive simplified games with 29 variations to coach The Positional Attack
• Guided Discovery questions for deeper understanding and better retention
• Tactical Rules for The Positional Attack
• Intelligent passing

Click on the image below to find out more...

Posted in Coaching, Horst Wein

Mini Football gets a makeover – introducing…

Posted on 08/04/2012

Horst Wein’s ground-breaking development game Mini Football has been around for a long time now. The basic game of 3v3 with 4 goals has stood the test of time as a quantum leap in youth football development, being used in training for some of the top clubs in the world.

Having four wide goals immediately introduces width and helps to prevent the familiar swarming at the younger age groups. Also having two goals to attack with three defenders means that one goal is usually less-defended, which means there is always a better option available. Both of these factors encourage young players to look before they act and to think before they execute – so game intelligence is introduced naturally from the earliest ages.

However, now in 2012,  Mini Football has grown from a handful of games using the basic set-up to a complete programme which includes 28 official games with 35 variations, and also 24 preparatory/corrective games. As we are about to launch this new programme of development for 7-9 year olds, we figured a new name to reflect better its standing in world football development was necessary and we are delighted to announce this whole new programme – introducing…

 

The Beautiful Game for Kids

 

As you may have figured out   is the abbreviated version of Futbol a la medida del Nino, “football designed for children.”

We believe that young children all round the world with a passion for football have been waiting for over 150 years, since the inception of the game, for a game that suits perfectly, their mental and physical requirements and their specific needs as children, summed up in one word – FUN. If Nature were to design a football game, much like Street Football of old, it would come up with  – the first age-appropriate game programme specifically designed to meet the needs of young players, boys and girls, under 10 years of age. We hope that this holistic, game-centred approach will give millions of children around the world the most positive start to a lifetime of enjoying, as kids, The Beautiful Game, just as do the best players in the world!

The programme is the result of 27 years of innovation, practice and continuing  improvement and is part of the Horst Wein Youth Football Development Model, which is the official textbook of the Spanish Football Federation since 1993 and is used by FC Barcelona,  Athletico Bilbao and many top clubs around the world.

This unique modern coaching programme includes:

• A player-centred approach to coaching, where the child comes first.
• A game-centred approach, for optimal, holistic learning. (No more lines, laps and lectures). All aspects of the game: technical, physical, tactical and game intelligence are developed in an integrated manner for greater transfer and effect.
• A Guided-Discovery approach to learning, where the coach stimulates the players’ game intelligence through effective questioning.

The programme is designed for all ability levels, but encourages inclusivity.

 has many advantages over other small sided games especially 4v4 and 7v7. Horst’s unique use of simplified games that are appropriate to each age group, both for their competitions and their training, makes this programme far superior to the traditional offerings for youth development in football. In total, counting the 28 official games, their 35 variations and the 24 preparatory games the complete programme effectively includes 87 games to keep both coaches and their players stimulated throughout, while also covering all the important aspects of the game for this developmental stage.

The Game is the Teacher!

 (along with the other elements of the Developmnent Model) has been proven to nurture intelligent, creative players, as witnessed by the emergence of the home-grown talent on display, recently  in the Europa Cup by Athletico Bilbao. In 2011 three young Mexican boys who  played this game went on the win the U17 World Cup.

 is destined to become the number 1 development  game for young players of  this age around the world in the coming years.

- Give your young players the chance to discover the magic  of The Beautiful Game in a unique game programme designed especially for them

- Enjoy the “renaissance of street football”

- Be the best coach you can be, creating a player- centred environment where young talent flourishes.

- Introduce your players to game intelligence, and establish their technique through games not drills

- A complete easy-to-use manual to unlock the enormous creative potential of young children…

Everything needed for coaches and players to get started on the right road to a great future in football:

28 official   games (With 35 variations)

24 Preparatory/corrective games

Over 40 colour illustrations

Easy to read and implement

A season programme of competitions

Games and tests your players will love

A clear guide to coaching this age

The Benefits of  abridged…

 recognizes that playing is like breathing to children – necessary for their physical and mental well-being!

Player Benefits:

Optimal pitch size and player numbers, 4 goals out wide and simple rules means:

• The game is easy to understand and improve at
• Experiencing success brings greater confidence, enjoyment and motivation
• More touches on the ball, more goals, more 1v1s and 2v1s
• Lots of dribbling, then when they get tired, lots of passing
• Establishes all the basic skills – controlling, passing, dribbling, shooting and tackling.
• The player has plenty of opportunity to “be in love with the ball,” to improvise and to take risks without fear of making mistakes.
• Greater participation as each player is vital in a 3 person team
• Goals  out wide improves perception, peripheral vision and spatial awareness
• Reduces crowding or swarming
• More time and space to think and make decisions
• Great variety of games within a familiar structure keeps it interesting for everyone
• The positive environment of discovery instead of instruction is much more stimulating than traditional coaching style
• Smaller players make up for their physical disadvantages through clever play
• Everyone usually scores a goal!
• Rolling substitutions and equal playing time benefits everyone
• Frequent repetition of basic game situations gives greater opportunity to master them
• The two goals create options which stimulates creativity and improvisation.
• Develops support play and off-the-ball play
• Learning takes place in a fully-integrated holistic environment, just as in the game itself. There is no isolation or separation of technical, tactical or physical elements.

 More goals, more action, more FUN!

Lifestyle and character benefits:

• Active Lifestyle – combats the impact of sedentary lifestyle and obesity
• Confidence/Self Esteem – through more successful actions and positive environment
• Endeavour/Perseverance – learn to never give up
• The Ability to Think – invaluable for education and life
• Emotional Control – contentment and satisfaction through play
• Social Relations/Friendships/Teamwork – a place to belong
• Fair Play – respect for other children, adults and regulations

 

Coach Benefits:

Coaches, from the earliest involvement in the game, get to learn a modern player-centred, game-oriented, guided discovery approach and can grow with their players in their understanding of the game. The coach becomes a guide stimulating the players through his skilful use of the games, variations, effective questioning and constant encouragement.         

 

  will very soon be available as an online book, see sample pages below:

see contents below:

Further information about   will be available shortly…

 

 

Posted in Coaching, Horst Wein, Small Sided Games, Youth Development

Mini Football – A Breakthrough in Youth Football Development

Posted on 02/03/2012

When Horst Wein introduced his very own unique small sided game for 7 to 9 year old players 27 years ago,  the stage was set for a revolution in Youth Football.

And in 1994 The Royal Spanish Football Federation published his age-oriented Youth Football Development Model, with Mini Football as the first building block in a gradual, progressive system of development, making it available to all Spanish clubs and youth academies. As we all know Spanish football has gone on to become the leading force in world football. They are the current World Cup and European Cup holders, and from U16 to senior football level have won more titles in the last 16 years than their two nearest rivals put together,  while FC Barcelona have won 3 Champions Leagues in the last 5 years.

Mini Football, as the first game in the development model, is considered to be the revival of Street Football, but is played 3v3  with 4 goals instead of the traditional 2 goals and has many more benefits than 4v4 or 7v7 football. Today, the original game has been proven, expanded and extended to form a complete programme that is specifically suited to young players starting out in the game and includes all the best practices of modern coaching.

 A complete programme manual for Mini Football is to be released in mid-March as an ebook…

Give your young players the chance todiscover the magic of The Beautiful Game in a unique game programme designed especially for them.

Experience the “renaissance of street football” in the  21st century. 

Be the best coach you can be while creating a player-centred environment where young talent flourishes.

Introduce your players to game intelligence while establishing  their technique, in a player-centred, game-oriented programme.

Coaches and parents can soon learn to unlock the enormous creative potential of the young talents in their care.

 

Everything you need to get started on the right road for a great future in football including:

28 official mini football games (With 35 variations)

24 Preparatory/corrective games

Easy to read and implement

Over 40 colour illustrations

Season programme of competitions

Games and tests your players will love

A clear guide to coaching this age

 With more than 20 player benefits

 

See Mini Football in action with these short clips:

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJNdHEhTa7c[/tube]

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdUARczESTg[/tube]

Mini Football is superior to both 4v4 and 7v7 football for this age-group:

Why Mini Football and not 4v4 games?

Why Mini Football and not 7-a-side football?

A comparison of two competitions for 7 to 9 year old players

More information concerning this fantastic resource and how to purchase it will soon be available here at The Beautiful Game…

 

 

 

 

Posted in Coaching, Horst Wein

The Need For An Optimal Youth Football Development Model

Posted on 22/02/2012

The game of football is one of the greatest gifts to humankind and is played by millions all over the world. Football in it’s current form has been with us for around 150 years now, but the evolution of player development, in most countries, has not kept pace with, the game itself, or many other aspects of life. A new player-centred model for development is necessary to achieve optimal results for all young children who play the game – that will enable them to reach their full potential.

The game of football has moved on, at least in some quarters, to a very high playing level, where game intelligence, allied to superior technique has seen The Beautiful Game reach it’s Zenith. The football of FC Barcelona (and indeed the Spanish National team) has brought unrivalled success as well as entertaining millions with style, creativity, excitement and beauty. Any new model of value must strive to achieve not only such great sporting goals, but the lifestyle values espoused by this  inspirational club. Even the Japanese ladies national team has proven that The Beautiful Game can win out against the biggest, strongest and toughest players in the world.

Football is a late specialization sport meaning that players cannot be just manufactured or cloned from the very first day. Firstly, they must be allowed time to develop the fundamental ABCs of agility, balance and coordination, then be exposed to a progressive programme of age-appropriate learning and then in their mid-teens be prepared for competition. A good model respects the natural order of childhood development, taking the time to help them reach their full potential and to complete each logical stage of development in turn.

The game of football, especially when played constructively is a very complex game for both the coach and the players. There are many decisions to be made, and many complex actions to be performed. The 11-a-side game that adults play is far too complex and difficult for young players, physically, mentally, technically, tactically and psychologically.

While football coaching has gone through many fashions especially the physical and technical emphases, today, game intelligence -  a proper understanding of the workings of the game, where players use perception, understanding and decision-making before finally executing the chosen action – is the key factor in both player performance and team efficiency, i.e. Success!

The great Istvan Balyi is often quoted for his 10,000 hour rule – the time required for a talent to be fully developed – but just as important, if not more so, is the quality of the content, or curriculum in any such development programme, and critically, that the young talent remains motivated to complete such an epic task.

 THE HORST WEIN YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT MODEL

Horst Wein developed his Youth Football Development Model over 25 years ago, the first ever, age-appropriate, programme for training  young footballers. Since then it has been refined, expanded and updated to include the most valuable current trends in coaching. The model takes into account all the critical considerations mentioned above and includes its own unique features and associated advantages.

 Goals of the model:

In order to put any plan into place it is important to determine where you want to go.The Football Development Model is designed to achieve the following long-term goals:

1. To develop each boy or girl to their full potential.
2. To develop complete, all-round football players.
3. To develop players who can play football with their head as well as their feet.
4. To develop better human beings.
5. To give the kids a game for life
6. To further the cause of The Beautiful Game – constructive, creative, exciting football

As well as these long-term goals, coaches need clearer direction on what exactly to expect for each age-group. There is an over-emphasis on technique and physical conditioning in the game today, especially for young players, and creativity and game intelligence is often neglected or even frowned upon. This model is also based on the precept that good football starts in head before finishing with the feet.

A blueprint for success

In order to reach these goals, a map, or blueprint is provided:

a)      Style

The style of the coaching in the model is player-centred and includes a guided discovery teaching method versus the old traditional style of “yell and tell.” Players are included in the learning process and are helped to think for themselves.

b)      Substance

The Football Development Model is based around a progressive curriculum of simplified small-sided games in training rather than drills. A holistic game-centred approach ensures the integration of technical, physical and tactical elements that is proven to be much more effective than the old analytical method.

The Game is the Teacher!

c)       Structure

The model recommends age-appropriate game formats for competitions:

3v3 for 7-9 years

5v5 for 10 years

7v7 for 11-12 years

8v8 for 13 years

11-a-side for 14+ years

Advantages of the Horst Wein Youth Football Development Model

Age-appropriate games and training are matched to the children’s needs

Firstly, we must recognize that children are not adults and that the 11-a-side game is a complex, adult-oriented game for grown men and women, who have reached physical, mental and emotional maturity. on top of that children grow through different phases of development, physically, mentally and emotionally.

A comprehensive curriculum leaves nothing to chance

The model provides all the elements for the development of players, much like a school curriculum which becomes progressively more complex and intense. We would not ask a junior infant to sit his Leaving Certificate examination, he would not be prepared in any way, mentally or emotionally. Neither does the model place excessive demands on young players, but provides them with all the tools necessary to advance in the game.

 A step by step process guarantees competence and success

The game is a complex game and it is vital that the foundational building blocks are in place and that progression is made in a logical, step-by-step manner. This helps the coaches to grow progressively in their competence, just as the players do.

Player’s need to feel competent to retain their interest in anything and especially so in sport, which is  optional for many of them. A model which proceeds in a step-by-step manner allows the children the time to achieve a good level of competence in their technique and tactical awareness for their particular age-group and the coach will only move them on when they are ready to be challenged further, without being overstretched.

A holistic approach develops the whole player

The Horst Wein model includes the technical, tactical, physical and psychological/emotional elements of player development in an integrated manner so that skills are acquired in the context of the game, and the game itself is played in the context of a fully-rounded life.

 Fun and enjoyment guarantee involvement and retention

Any model which ignores the inherent enjoyment of playing games over the felt requirement to perfect technique and physical conditioning will be counterproductive. Children must firstly, fall in love with the game in the Fundamental stage, but even in professional football, players need to be enjoying the game to sustain consistent performance. All over the world young people in their millions are been lost to sport in their early teens due to the pressures imposed on them by adults, rather than enjoying sport for itself.

Time allowed for natural development helps them reach their full potential

Most kids these days, even as young as 7 years of age are forced into “performing” each weekend as if it were the Champions League Final. For some reason adults have seen fit to force young players into game formats that they are not ready for. Children as young as 11 years of age play the 11-a-side game and the 7-a-side game is applied to the 7 year olds. A prepubescent 11 year old boy, on average, weighs about 6 stone and is about 4ft 10inches tall. The goal posts in the full game are 8ft tall and 24ft wide, the pitch is about 100 by 80 yards…something is amiss here! It takes time for kids to reach their full potential, after which many will just continue with a very healthy leisure pasttime for life, while some may go on to play at the highest levels, as fully-rounded,  complete footballers, with great game intelligence, technical ability and creativity, but also as completely rounded and generous human beings.

The Football Development Model recognizes the time that nature decrees for the development of these young footballers.

 “Nature decrees that children should be children before they become adults. If we try to alter this natural order, they will reach adulthood prematurely but with neither substance nor strength.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

 

Posted in Horst Wein, Youth Development

Horst Wein recommends Small-Sided Games for Grassroots Football

Posted on 16/02/2012

Horst Wein, who has mentored more than 11,000 soccer coaches in 55 different countries around the world, believes that small sided games are the most essential element in developing youth soccer players. This comes from a man who knows a thing or two about this vital topic – his book “Developing Youth Football Players” is the official textbook of the Spanish Football Federation, and has also been adopted by the Football Federation of Australia, having sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.

 Small-sided games in Training

Coaches should focus more on games rather than drills in training.  Isolating particular techniques and concentrating on them using repetitive drills and exercises is known as the “analytical method” and often poses difficulties when the players come to apply what they have been working on in the real game scenario. The “global method” of training involves creating more game-like scenarios in training that can be more seamlessly integrated into the actual game itself. This is done through creating simplified games, which are scaled-down versions of the real game, but that can focus on particular themes necessary in the real game.

The concept of using games rather than drills and exercises has been studied for many years all around the world. Teaching Games for Understanding  (TGfU) has been applied to many different sports and been found to be very effective. In Australia, it is also known as “Game Sense” and “Play practice.”

There are many benefits to this games-oriented method in soccer:

1. Most importantly, players  prefer to play games than to do drills (especially the younger ones).
   
2. The games can be modified through different variables to concentrate more on specific elements that need to be addressed; The size of the playing area, the number of players, duration of the game, technical rules etc, means that in the hands of a skilful coach, games may be used to achieve all the requirements of playing the real game.
3. Small-sided games require smaller pitches and can be suited to any number of players.
4. Small sided games provide a much more intense physical workout than larger games.
5. Small-sided games allow the coach to develop the players Game Intelligence, as they may focus on the true dynamics of the game of soccer e.g. the 2v1 situation.

 Small sided games in competition

This means that the competitions that young people play should be tailored to the specific requirements of their age group.

“The competition you play should be like your shoes,  it should fit you perfectly! “

Benefits of small sided games in competition (and training)

• More touches of the ball
• Simpler decisions to make
• Better game-related fitness, short duration of high-intensity vs laps
• More time with coach per player
• Easier to coach especially for parent coaches
• More opportunities to solve game problems
• More attacking opportunities (dribbling, shooting, passing )
• More defending opportunities
• More shooting and more goals  = more fun!
• No hiding place, players don’t get lost in these games
• More opportunities for the full range of skills
• Encourages better shape and awareness of team-mates
• Encourages faster play, fast transition from defence to attack
• Easier for young players to have success – which means enjoyment and retention for these players.

 

Manchester United conducted a pilot scheme in 2005 which compared 4-a-side soccer to 8-a-side soccer, the results were very telling:

 

 

 

 Small-sided Games Around the World

All around the world today the value of small-sided games has begun to be recognized and many federations have introduced them successfully into youth development programmes. The Dutch system focuses mainly on 4v4 and later 7v7 games before players are introduced to the 11-a-side game.

All across continental Europe there are variations of either 4v4 or 5v5 for the first game that young kids play. In the British Isles, Wales has been leading the way with small sided games being introduced there in 1996. The FA in England are determined to introduce the following structures by 2013: 5v5 (7-8 years), 7v7 (9-10 years), 9v9 (11-12 years), 11v11 (13+ years)

This map shows the penetration of small-sided games across the USA in 2009. Red areas have implemented small sided games, and blue areas have partially implemented them. In general USYS (United States Youth Soccer) recommends 3v3 for under 6 years and a progression to 4v4 or 5v5, 6v6 or 7v7, 8v8 etc.

 

Small-sided Games in the Horst Wein Model

In the Horst Wein Youth Football Development Model, the recommended progressive small-sided game structure is:

3v3 for 7-9 years                         5v5 for 10 years                           7v7 for 11-12 years                       8v8 for 13 years                              11-a-side for 14+ years

 

 

Along with these competition games, each age group has its own complete programme of small-sided, simplified games for training, which emphasize game intelligence and a deeper understanding of the tactical situations of the game of football. The training games can be used for preparing the players for their appropriate competition or as corrective measures for issues identified during play.

The emphasis is always on games for learning rather than drills and running.

 The Game is the teacher

 

Many claim that the revolutionary game of Mini-Football (3v3 on four wide goals) is arevival of street football.

 

 

 

 

MINI-FOOTBALL VS 4V4

While many advocate the benefits of 4v4, which is undoubtedly far more beneficial than 8v8 (or 7v7), Horst’s own Mini-Football game which is 3v3 on 4 wide goals has the following advantages over 4v4:

 

 

Posted in Horst Wein, Small Sided Games, Youth Development