The FFA National Junior Championships for 2010 will begin on Easter Monday, 5 April 2010 and the Under 13 years Boy and Girls competition will be held in the ACT. The draw has been released by the FFA and is listed below - so clear your diary and treat yourself to a "festival of Football"!
I can't recommend this competition too highly. It's the one chance we all have to make some assessment of the standard of Football in Australia at this age group. Is the FFA's new National Curriculum making an impact?
The ACT teams have been well prepared by Capital Football and their Coaches, parents can see the end to a lot of hard work for all concerned, so let the games begin. Remember, its all about "development". Do everything you can to make the young players, all of them, feel good about what they are doing. Only positive things from the sideline - no criticism please. The game belongs to the players. Let the game be the teacher.
The ACT teams who will participate are as follows:
ACT Girls Under-13 FFA National Championships Squad: Hayley Armstrong, Emma Bestek, Freya Brent, Brigette Calabria, Caitlin Cantrill, Julia De Angelis, Jessica Giovinazzo, Mikaela Goldstein, Hiwot Johnstone, Ruth Kravis, Melissa Leary, Edwina Nelson, Siena Senatore, Madelyn Whittall, Phoebe Worth, Georgina Worth, Clea Porteous Borthwick (standby), Hollie Massey (standby)
ACT Boys Under-13 FFA National Championships Squad: Nathan Alferink (gk), Sam Brown (gk), Jack Elliott-Dunn (gk), Amir Adam, Anthony Giorgi, Daniel Hearle, Niko Kresic, Jed Lloyd, Sam McLachlan, Adrian Macor, Thomas Milicevic, Thomas Nikolovski, Brady Nixon, Andre Saleh, George Timotheou, Mark Tokich, Niko Ujdur, Lewis Bates (stand by player), Osman Fofanah (stand by player), Will Laird (stand by player), Shaun Neuss (stand by player), Simon Noveski (stand by player), Dominic Soriano (stand by player)
For the detailed draw see below.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Capital Football Technical Director Talks About The NJC To Be Held In The ACT In April 2010
The Capital Football Technical Director, Ian Shaw provides some excellent information, observations and advice to all concerning the National Junior Championships (NJC) for the Under 13 Girls and Under 13 Boys, to be conducted in Canberra in April 2010. All games will be conducted at the O'Connor Fields. The U13 Girls will play the first three days and then the U13 Boys will play.
This is where you rediscover why you love Football! Its also a chance to get yourself informed of the new directions being implemented around the nation by the FFA, through the new National Curriculum.
Both the ACT teams have been well prepared for the forthcoming Championships.
This Football tournament is a flagship event in the player development cycle for the FFA and State / Territory organisations. There are several points to note:
The Main Moments of the game are:
1. Ball possession (BP): Building up, attacking and scoring (team tasks).
2. Transition: BP to BPO (team tasks).
3. Ball possession opponent (BPO): Disturbing and defending (team tasks).
4. Transition: BPO to BP (team tasks).
A game of football is a constant repetition of these 4 main moments, each with its characteristic team tasks.
Download the Podcast for this Interview here:
This is where you rediscover why you love Football! Its also a chance to get yourself informed of the new directions being implemented around the nation by the FFA, through the new National Curriculum.
Both the ACT teams have been well prepared for the forthcoming Championships.
This Football tournament is a flagship event in the player development cycle for the FFA and State / Territory organisations. There are several points to note:
- This is all about "development", so if your motivation to attend is based on requiring your team to "win", this is not the event for you - you need to be somewhere else and preferrably a long way away!
- The teams will play the 1-4-3-3 system, with the midfield three players in the form of a triangle with the apex pointing forward (ie two back one forward) - called "point forward". Get familiar with this system so that you can do some analysis yourself. See posts on this blog for details.
- There will only be two substitutes allowed each game to ensure tat they assessors get a good look at all players. Each team will play two games a day to enable coaches to play all their players. Its a good format.
- The FFA Techncial Study Group will make continuous assessments of each team as they play. They will assess players. The FFA Media Relations advise NPL that information to the public on the team based technical assessments, will continue to be limited at this time to the periodic advice during the NJC, on the first three teams' bonus points standing. It would be good to see more detail available to the football community (particularly community and rep coaches that attend), so that they can also become educated / guided by this essential and innovative emphasis on "development". But its a good first start overall and perhaps more will come.
- The Coach of each team is also assessed each game. There is a lot of pressure on Coaches in this tournament. Only spectators have the luxury of avoiding scrutiny - worth remembering!
- Points will be awarded for technical performance, in addition to the ordinary win or draw points from each game. As the ACATAS team discovered in the NTC Challenge, you can come out in front on win/draw points, but loose because you are not judged to be the more technically proficient team.
- The assessment of technical performance is based on the quality of execution of the FFA's national curriculum. Use this as your start point - to quote (page 16 of the FFA National Curriculum, National Cuuriculum Framework ):
The Main Moments of the game are:
1. Ball possession (BP): Building up, attacking and scoring (team tasks).
2. Transition: BP to BPO (team tasks).
3. Ball possession opponent (BPO): Disturbing and defending (team tasks).
4. Transition: BPO to BP (team tasks).
A game of football is a constant repetition of these 4 main moments, each with its characteristic team tasks.
Download the Podcast for this Interview here:
Monday, March 29, 2010
Goulburn Strikers Do It Tough But Well and Head Coach AIS Talks Football Development
This Nearpost Local program will be broadcast on 2xxfm, Australian Community Radio Network at 1900 hours on Tuesday 30 March 2010.
The President of the Goulburn Strikers FC, Shane Wilson, is delighted with the performance of the Strikers in the Federation Cup and so he should be. They very nearly toppled reigning Capital Football Premier League Champions, Canberra FC in the final on Sunday. Coaches took notes on Sunday and not for the first time were left more than a bit concerned for their teams's prospects against the Strikers and with a few more clues about how to unravel the CFC lineup. But the story behind the performance of the tenacious Strikers outfit is the stuff football legends are made of - have a listen.
Then its on to speak to the Head Coach of the AIS Men's Football program, Jan Versleijen, about the preformance of the Nara Ichijo FC High School team. Jan relfects on the differences in the game between Australia and Japan, particularly in respect of player development. Jan makes some very instructive points around coaching required to achieve the outcomes sort by the FFA's National Curriculum. It's a must listen for serious Football people.
Download the Podcast here:
The President of the Goulburn Strikers FC, Shane Wilson, is delighted with the performance of the Strikers in the Federation Cup and so he should be. They very nearly toppled reigning Capital Football Premier League Champions, Canberra FC in the final on Sunday. Coaches took notes on Sunday and not for the first time were left more than a bit concerned for their teams's prospects against the Strikers and with a few more clues about how to unravel the CFC lineup. But the story behind the performance of the tenacious Strikers outfit is the stuff football legends are made of - have a listen.
Then its on to speak to the Head Coach of the AIS Men's Football program, Jan Versleijen, about the preformance of the Nara Ichijo FC High School team. Jan relfects on the differences in the game between Australia and Japan, particularly in respect of player development. Jan makes some very instructive points around coaching required to achieve the outcomes sort by the FFA's National Curriculum. It's a must listen for serious Football people.
Download the Podcast here:
Dutch National Coach Has A Lot to Say That Has Meaning For Our Football
This is an excellent interview. Everything Bert VAn Marwijk has to say is directly transferrable to our thoughts and practice of the game in the ACT Region. Why not learn from a Master Coach? Perhaps he is a good candidate for the Socceroos job?
Interview With Dutch National Coach - BERT VAN MARWIJK
BY ANDY ROXBURGH,
UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Sourced from UEFA at http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Publications/uefa/UEFAMedia/94/76/74/947674_DOWNLOAD.pdf
AS A PLAYER, BERT VAN MARWIJK PLAYED ON THE LEFT WING, THEN MOVED TO MIDFIELD, BEFORE ENDING HIS CAREER AS A DEFENDER. HE PLAYED FOR GO AHEAD EAGLES, AZ ALKMAAR AND MVV MAASTRICHT AMONG OTHERS, AND WAS CAPPED FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM. UNFORTUNATELY, INJURY DEPRIVED HIM OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN ARGENTINA IN 1978. HIS COACHING CAREER WAS LAUNCHED IN THE YOUTH PROGRAMME OF MVV MAASTRICHT AND, AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF NURTURING YOUNG PLAYERS, HE MOVED TO THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS. HIS FIRST TASTE OF A CUP FINAL CAME IN THE NETHERLANDS WITH FORTUNA SITTARD FC, BUT IT WAS IN 2002 THAT HE STRUCK GOLD WHEN HE WON THE UEFA CUP WITH FEYENOORD. FOLLOWING A TWO-YEAR STINT AT BV BORUSSIA DORTMUND IN GERMANY, HE RETURNED TO FEYENOORD AND WON THE KNVB CUP IN 2008. IN THE AFTERMATH OF THAT SUCCESS, HE REPLACED MARCO VAN BASTEN AS THE HEAD COACH OF THE DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM FOLLOWING EURO 2008 IN AUSTRIA/SWITZERLAND. IN HIS NEW ROLE, HE TOOK THE NETHERLANDS TO THE FINALS OF THE 2010 WORLD CUP BY WINNING THEIR QUALIFYING GROUP IN IMPRESSIVE STYLE. HE WAS A CREATIVE PLAYER WHOHAS DEVELOPED INTO A POSITIVE, IMAGINATIVE COACH AT THE TOP LEVEL, HE IS BERT VAN MARWIJK
Interview With Dutch National Coach - BERT VAN MARWIJK
BY ANDY ROXBURGH,
UEFA TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Sourced from UEFA at http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Publications/uefa/UEFAMedia/94/76/74/947674_DOWNLOAD.pdf
AS A PLAYER, BERT VAN MARWIJK PLAYED ON THE LEFT WING, THEN MOVED TO MIDFIELD, BEFORE ENDING HIS CAREER AS A DEFENDER. HE PLAYED FOR GO AHEAD EAGLES, AZ ALKMAAR AND MVV MAASTRICHT AMONG OTHERS, AND WAS CAPPED FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM. UNFORTUNATELY, INJURY DEPRIVED HIM OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN ARGENTINA IN 1978. HIS COACHING CAREER WAS LAUNCHED IN THE YOUTH PROGRAMME OF MVV MAASTRICHT AND, AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF NURTURING YOUNG PLAYERS, HE MOVED TO THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS. HIS FIRST TASTE OF A CUP FINAL CAME IN THE NETHERLANDS WITH FORTUNA SITTARD FC, BUT IT WAS IN 2002 THAT HE STRUCK GOLD WHEN HE WON THE UEFA CUP WITH FEYENOORD. FOLLOWING A TWO-YEAR STINT AT BV BORUSSIA DORTMUND IN GERMANY, HE RETURNED TO FEYENOORD AND WON THE KNVB CUP IN 2008. IN THE AFTERMATH OF THAT SUCCESS, HE REPLACED MARCO VAN BASTEN AS THE HEAD COACH OF THE DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM FOLLOWING EURO 2008 IN AUSTRIA/SWITZERLAND. IN HIS NEW ROLE, HE TOOK THE NETHERLANDS TO THE FINALS OF THE 2010 WORLD CUP BY WINNING THEIR QUALIFYING GROUP IN IMPRESSIVE STYLE. HE WAS A CREATIVE PLAYER WHOHAS DEVELOPED INTO A POSITIVE, IMAGINATIVE COACH AT THE TOP LEVEL, HE IS BERT VAN MARWIJK
Girls and Boys? or Girls v Boys?
There is playing in mixed teams at age and there is playing - up an age(s) in a mixed team. Not always, but often, the same thing.
I watched my young son play in a mixed team last season. He's played in a mixed team most seasons. He just sees the girls as "players". The girls on his team last season were in his opinion, the two best in the team. I had to agree. They were at the right level at the time - but then, they had parents that really though it through carefully and were informed of the game at these age groups (both fathers coached in junior football). They made informed decisions and always on the basis of what is best for their daughter at age. Its a tricky business. So you should procede with caution.
One of my son's friends played up an age in another Club for reasons not known to me and the boy had misreable season - the extra year made too much difference - someone forgot that he was late year birthday! The gap was closer to two years against many that he played against.
Our children often start in mixed teams at club level and mixed teams continue (in the Boys Competition or Open as it is called) with less frequency through the teens. The girls in the boy's teams tend to be those that take their football seriosuly and seek to play at a higher standard for age than is available at the same age in the girls competition. The idea is simple enough - the girls improve as a result of the increased level of resistance experienced in the boy's competition at age (sometimes higher). At Club level its pretty much decided by parents of the children involved and Club officials who are usually parents (well, who else would do the job?) - and too often there's no great analysis involved. And that's where the problems begin and parental expectations begin to run riot.
I watched my young son play in a mixed team last season. He's played in a mixed team most seasons. He just sees the girls as "players". The girls on his team last season were in his opinion, the two best in the team. I had to agree. They were at the right level at the time - but then, they had parents that really though it through carefully and were informed of the game at these age groups (both fathers coached in junior football). They made informed decisions and always on the basis of what is best for their daughter at age. Its a tricky business. So you should procede with caution.
One of my son's friends played up an age in another Club for reasons not known to me and the boy had misreable season - the extra year made too much difference - someone forgot that he was late year birthday! The gap was closer to two years against many that he played against.
Our children often start in mixed teams at club level and mixed teams continue (in the Boys Competition or Open as it is called) with less frequency through the teens. The girls in the boy's teams tend to be those that take their football seriosuly and seek to play at a higher standard for age than is available at the same age in the girls competition. The idea is simple enough - the girls improve as a result of the increased level of resistance experienced in the boy's competition at age (sometimes higher). At Club level its pretty much decided by parents of the children involved and Club officials who are usually parents (well, who else would do the job?) - and too often there's no great analysis involved. And that's where the problems begin and parental expectations begin to run riot.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Let the Coach and the Real Game Be the Teacher!
This is a thoughtful piece you will find very interesting, courtesy of http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/
LET THE COACH AND THE REAL GAME BE THE TEACHER
Can we really 'let the game be the teacher'? In this article, Roger Wilkinson argues that it is not sufficient to simply let children play.
In the 50s and 60s at grass roots level coaching wasn’t particularly great but it didn’t really matter because the learning environment simply known as “street football” was, for young kids, uniquely successful in developing their skills to a high level especially in working class Britain.
Kids played in the streets and just as importantly in the playgrounds and in the UK we look back with nostalgia at those days that produced great individual players like Mathews, Finney, Baxter, Best, Charlton, Johnstone, Osgood, Law, Marsh, Currie and even more recently Gazza ,and wish that it could be the same now. We know that in those days the game really was the teacher.
As modern day coaches we have to look past the nostalgia and really try to identify and learn from the simple yet sophisticated street development system that was such a “conveyor belt” of exciting talent. (Oh yes, I forgot Milburn, Bell, Broadbent, Mannion, Allchurch, Gray, Hoddle and a few more).
It’s not enough to say “Let the game be the teacher” without asking how and why was the game the teacher. More specifically;
Why was this learning process so successful and what were the key teaching elements that produced so many great individuals.
LET THE COACH AND THE REAL GAME BE THE TEACHER
Can we really 'let the game be the teacher'? In this article, Roger Wilkinson argues that it is not sufficient to simply let children play.
In the 50s and 60s at grass roots level coaching wasn’t particularly great but it didn’t really matter because the learning environment simply known as “street football” was, for young kids, uniquely successful in developing their skills to a high level especially in working class Britain.
Kids played in the streets and just as importantly in the playgrounds and in the UK we look back with nostalgia at those days that produced great individual players like Mathews, Finney, Baxter, Best, Charlton, Johnstone, Osgood, Law, Marsh, Currie and even more recently Gazza ,and wish that it could be the same now. We know that in those days the game really was the teacher.
As modern day coaches we have to look past the nostalgia and really try to identify and learn from the simple yet sophisticated street development system that was such a “conveyor belt” of exciting talent. (Oh yes, I forgot Milburn, Bell, Broadbent, Mannion, Allchurch, Gray, Hoddle and a few more).
It’s not enough to say “Let the game be the teacher” without asking how and why was the game the teacher. More specifically;
Why was this learning process so successful and what were the key teaching elements that produced so many great individuals.
AIS Head Coach Mens' Football, Jan Versleijen Speaks to the Nearpost Local
The AIS Head Coach of the Mens' Football Program, Jan Versliejen, made time to talk to the NPL about the Nara Ichijo FC team that played several fixtures in the ACT last week, including one against the AIS.
Jan also speaks to some very important subjects including player development, coaching methodology, what you need to do to have a chance of being suceesful at the higher levls in the game in Australia, what makes the Japanese players so good, what can we learn from them and the importance of letting the game be the teacher.
Jan Versleijen talks plain good sense! Have a listen, you won;t be disappointed and have a think about just how big the challenge is in order for Football in Australia to move into the top echelons of the world game.
Download the Podcast here:
Jan also speaks to some very important subjects including player development, coaching methodology, what you need to do to have a chance of being suceesful at the higher levls in the game in Australia, what makes the Japanese players so good, what can we learn from them and the importance of letting the game be the teacher.
Jan Versleijen talks plain good sense! Have a listen, you won;t be disappointed and have a think about just how big the challenge is in order for Football in Australia to move into the top echelons of the world game.
Download the Podcast here:
Federation Cup Finals - Canberra FC and Belwest Foxes retain titles
Courtesy of Capital Football
Canberra FC and Belwest Foxes retain titles
Canberra FC and Belwest Foxes retained their Project Coordination Federation Cup titles at Deakin Stadium on Sunday afternoon with victory over Goulburn Strikers and Woden Valley respectively.
Canberra FC and Belwest Foxes retain titles
Canberra FC and Belwest Foxes retained their Project Coordination Federation Cup titles at Deakin Stadium on Sunday afternoon with victory over Goulburn Strikers and Woden Valley respectively.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Head Coach of the AIS Mens Program Gives Some Very Good Advice.
The Head Coach of the AIS Mens' Football Program, Jan Verssleijen discussed the performances of the Nara Ichijo team with the NPL.
Jan is a highly experienced and contemporary international standard Coach who is always willing to share his knowledge and experiences in Football. Jan has been involved in football development and coaching in Japan for three years. He knows what he is talking about.
In the interview to be broadcast next Tuesday, Jan uses the Nara team and Japanese football to illustrate some crucial aspects concerning the development of the game and the players in Australia. It shoul birng you back to reality and help adjust your expectations around your son or daughter in Football!
In addition, Jan makes some very interesting and informative observations concerning coaching in the modern era, consistent with the direction in which the FFA is moving with Coach Education and Development. Now this has very particular meaning for many in the ACT for those parents and supporters who are watching coaches (particularly in the Premier League and Rep teams - well a few of them) and perhaps wondering why some of these coaches are not as noisy on the sideline as was the practice (and still is for many) in recent times. You know the sort - the coach that wants to script every movement of every player and makes the mistake of thinking that constant haranguing (and abuse) from the sideline is a meaningful contribution to player development, effective performance and the game in general.
The change preferred in coaching style means that coaches have to do a lot of work constructing the practice sessions - always with a ball at the feet. That's where the effort must go. No more gratuitous fitness training thankyou. The game is for the players.
Jan's message -
Let The Game Be The Teacher
Make sure you listen to the program or get to the Podcast. It's too good to miss.
Jan is a highly experienced and contemporary international standard Coach who is always willing to share his knowledge and experiences in Football. Jan has been involved in football development and coaching in Japan for three years. He knows what he is talking about.
In the interview to be broadcast next Tuesday, Jan uses the Nara team and Japanese football to illustrate some crucial aspects concerning the development of the game and the players in Australia. It shoul birng you back to reality and help adjust your expectations around your son or daughter in Football!
In addition, Jan makes some very interesting and informative observations concerning coaching in the modern era, consistent with the direction in which the FFA is moving with Coach Education and Development. Now this has very particular meaning for many in the ACT for those parents and supporters who are watching coaches (particularly in the Premier League and Rep teams - well a few of them) and perhaps wondering why some of these coaches are not as noisy on the sideline as was the practice (and still is for many) in recent times. You know the sort - the coach that wants to script every movement of every player and makes the mistake of thinking that constant haranguing (and abuse) from the sideline is a meaningful contribution to player development, effective performance and the game in general.
The change preferred in coaching style means that coaches have to do a lot of work constructing the practice sessions - always with a ball at the feet. That's where the effort must go. No more gratuitous fitness training thankyou. The game is for the players.
Jan's message -
Let The Game Be The Teacher
Make sure you listen to the program or get to the Podcast. It's too good to miss.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Goulburn Strikers Have Struck!
If you haven't caught up with the Federation Cup news, you must have been in a coma.
The Goulburn Strikers won over a terrific Belconnen United side in a penalty shootout!
I missed the game as my team (Woden) were playing a pre-season training game against Tuggeranong United. But I can tell you this, the mobile phones were running hot on the sideline as match updates were reported to us all by friends at Hawker.
Now Belconnen are a terrific Club but I doubt there was one person on the sideline at our training game who didn't hope for a Goulburn victory. Everyone loves an underdog! Belconnen will bounce back you can count on that, but Goulburn are getting better.
This is such a good result for Premier League football and for newcomers, Goulburn Strikers, who I have to say, have delivered on everything their Club President promised when he spoke to the NPL (see earlier posts). They have very reason to be quietly confident - they are the real deal!! Now everyone knows.
Now we have a Fed Cup final that is a little less predictable, before we hit the season proper! Marvellous!!
I'll quote the excellent match report from Capital Football (good one Russ):
The Goulburn Strikers won over a terrific Belconnen United side in a penalty shootout!
I missed the game as my team (Woden) were playing a pre-season training game against Tuggeranong United. But I can tell you this, the mobile phones were running hot on the sideline as match updates were reported to us all by friends at Hawker.
Now Belconnen are a terrific Club but I doubt there was one person on the sideline at our training game who didn't hope for a Goulburn victory. Everyone loves an underdog! Belconnen will bounce back you can count on that, but Goulburn are getting better.
This is such a good result for Premier League football and for newcomers, Goulburn Strikers, who I have to say, have delivered on everything their Club President promised when he spoke to the NPL (see earlier posts). They have very reason to be quietly confident - they are the real deal!! Now everyone knows.
Now we have a Fed Cup final that is a little less predictable, before we hit the season proper! Marvellous!!
I'll quote the excellent match report from Capital Football (good one Russ):
Women's Football in Pakistan Seems to Have the Same Problems Encountered Everywhere Else
It really is a small world when it comes to community based Football.
Womens football has come a long way in Pakistan with the domestic scene producing some high quality football. There are more things that bind us than seperate us when you see the world through the beautiful game. Go the girls!
You could be down at Mawson watching young players of all abilities train. Players talking the same talk about football and parents thinking the same things about their children. Gotta love football!!!
Womens football has come a long way in Pakistan with the domestic scene producing some high quality football. There are more things that bind us than seperate us when you see the world through the beautiful game. Go the girls!
You could be down at Mawson watching young players of all abilities train. Players talking the same talk about football and parents thinking the same things about their children. Gotta love football!!!
How's This For Inspiration- Grass Roots Football For Sure!
I came across this gem. An initiative undertaken in India for Womens' Football in 2009.
I'll never complain about the condition of our pitches again. Well I probably will, but this brings you back to reality.
And look at how these girls can kick a ball. All the kids ever need is a chance to play and have fun. If we do that, we've done our job.
I'll never complain about the condition of our pitches again. Well I probably will, but this brings you back to reality.
And look at how these girls can kick a ball. All the kids ever need is a chance to play and have fun. If we do that, we've done our job.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Referees In the ACT and Respect for the Game
This program was broadcast on 2xxfm Australian Community Radio Network on 23 March 2010.
In this program we take a further look at the English FA Respect Campaign. They have a saying which makes good sense:
Lose respect, Lose the Game
We speak to the State Coach of Referees, Clive MacKillop, on the recent meeting the key referee officials had with the PL and other Coaches (well those Clubs that bothered to attend!) to discuss concerns / issues for the 2010 season. Not surprisingly, for the Referees the hot button issue is "Respect". Clive also makes some important points about "tackling" which at eht moment seems to be the source of a good deal of misunderstanding and a few too many yellow cards.
Download the Podcast here:
The English Football, Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, make the following points on the Respect Campaign:
In this program we take a further look at the English FA Respect Campaign. They have a saying which makes good sense:
Lose respect, Lose the Game
We speak to the State Coach of Referees, Clive MacKillop, on the recent meeting the key referee officials had with the PL and other Coaches (well those Clubs that bothered to attend!) to discuss concerns / issues for the 2010 season. Not surprisingly, for the Referees the hot button issue is "Respect". Clive also makes some important points about "tackling" which at eht moment seems to be the source of a good deal of misunderstanding and a few too many yellow cards.
Download the Podcast here:
The English Football, Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, make the following points on the Respect Campaign:
Monday, March 22, 2010
Japanese Under 17 Squad From Nara-Ichijo FC visits the ACT
These opportunities don't come along often enough in our region. Go and see them play!
Japanese touring side Nara-Ichijo FC from Canberra’s sister city of Nara arrived in the capital on Saturday morning for a series of fixtures.
Schedule
Monday 22nd March – v Canberra FC under-16 (Deakin Stadium), kick off 18:00
Monday 22nd March – v Canberra FC under-18 (Deakin Stadium), kick off 20:00
Tuesday 23rd March – v ACTAS (AIS), kick off 16:30
Tuesday 23rd March – v AIS (AIS), kick off 20:00
Wednesday 24th March – v CP HPP under-17 (Hawker Football Centre), kick off 16:00
Japanese touring side Nara-Ichijo FC from Canberra’s sister city of Nara arrived in the capital on Saturday morning for a series of fixtures.
Schedule
Monday 22nd March – v Canberra FC under-16 (Deakin Stadium), kick off 18:00
Monday 22nd March – v Canberra FC under-18 (Deakin Stadium), kick off 20:00
Tuesday 23rd March – v ACTAS (AIS), kick off 16:30
Tuesday 23rd March – v AIS (AIS), kick off 20:00
Wednesday 24th March – v CP HPP under-17 (Hawker Football Centre), kick off 16:00
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Focus On Your Technique - Be Ready To Learn - And Try It The Coach's Way!
Swimming has a bit too teach Football in Australia, but that's a subject for another time.
The ACT swiming club - Tuggeranong Vikings Swimming Club is a first rate swim club, producing high achieving swimmers at all ages, with one essential ingredient - highly qualified coaching staff. The swimmers in serious training are carefully managed and train hard every day of the working week and Saturday - very often, mornings and afternoons.
The underlying focus is always on what I would call achieving "perfect technique". Its seems to be a never ending quest as swimmers grow, mature, take on more responsibilities in life, decline other alternatives for their meagre recreational time, progress at work, excel in education, establish and maintain relationships and wrestle with the demands of competition.
The ACT swiming club - Tuggeranong Vikings Swimming Club is a first rate swim club, producing high achieving swimmers at all ages, with one essential ingredient - highly qualified coaching staff. The swimmers in serious training are carefully managed and train hard every day of the working week and Saturday - very often, mornings and afternoons.
The underlying focus is always on what I would call achieving "perfect technique". Its seems to be a never ending quest as swimmers grow, mature, take on more responsibilities in life, decline other alternatives for their meagre recreational time, progress at work, excel in education, establish and maintain relationships and wrestle with the demands of competition.
Coaching Strikers To Be The First Line Of Defense
If you are using the 1-4-3-3 system of play, it essential that you get good transition and defensive work from the front three players. See previous posts for additional detail. Without it your team is quickly outnumbered in midfiled and vulnerable.
The video below explains the importance of getting the forward to do defensive work, as high up the field as practicable. The 1-4-4-2 system is used to illustrate the teaching points, but it could just as easily have been any other system of play.
The video below explains the importance of getting the forward to do defensive work, as high up the field as practicable. The 1-4-4-2 system is used to illustrate the teaching points, but it could just as easily have been any other system of play.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Goulburn Stirkers Have Arrived and They Are The Real Deal!
Today's Federation Cup was more than a victory by Goulburn Strikers over Woden Valley FC. It was a most emphatic statement by the Gouldburn Strikers that they had arrived in the Premier League.
They are a well prepared and coached Football team, fast, fit and play in good style. A real tonic for the Capital Football Premier League.
Best of all - as their Club President made clear, with considerable and justifiable pride "they are all Goulburn boys".
See video of the game in the media player at the bottom of the page.
They are a well prepared and coached Football team, fast, fit and play in good style. A real tonic for the Capital Football Premier League.
Best of all - as their Club President made clear, with considerable and justifiable pride "they are all Goulburn boys".
See video of the game in the media player at the bottom of the page.
A Bit More On the 1-4-3-3 System of Play
This video makes some good points, some of which were made in earlier posts, but they make good sense.
If your team made a mess of their game today, as did mine, attempting to playing the 1-4-3-3, then have a look at this video because it makes it clear where it probably went wrong. Add this one the Roy Hodgson's explanations of the 1-4-3-3 and you probably have a solid general understanding.
If the 1-4-3-3 went badly for you, ask yourself this:
If your team made a mess of their game today, as did mine, attempting to playing the 1-4-3-3, then have a look at this video because it makes it clear where it probably went wrong. Add this one the Roy Hodgson's explanations of the 1-4-3-3 and you probably have a solid general understanding.
If the 1-4-3-3 went badly for you, ask yourself this:
- Did the players play the system well enough for you to make a judgement on whether this is the right system of play?
- If the players did not play well, is it because they just can't play well enough to compete with the competition in some positions, no matter what the system of play?
- Did they have a bad day and are they still learning the system and adjusting to new playing positions and responsibilities?
- What's missing in the coaching regime that might help play the 1-4-3-3 better? ( and then tell the Coach - he or she may appreciate the fact that you took the time to think about it and tell him)
Roy Hodgson on the 1-4-4-2 Sytem of Play
A couple of coaches are introducing the 1-4-3-3 in the Premier League and its got some supporters nervous as the results are little less predictable while the players adjust to the challenge.
What is it about the 1-4-4-2 that makes us feel like they are an old comfortable pair of shoes?
Lets see what Roy has to say on the 1-4-4-2. He should know!
What is it about the 1-4-4-2 that makes us feel like they are an old comfortable pair of shoes?
Lets see what Roy has to say on the 1-4-4-2. He should know!
A Proper Sunday Premier League Changing Room - Complete With A Scotsman in the Coaching Staff
This could a scene from the PL Clubs in the ACT that don't own a ground or a clubhouse and run on a budget that is best described as the smell of an oily rag.
Club Football - you gotta love it!
Club Football - you gotta love it!
Roy Hodgson - Coach of Fulham Gives Us A Timely Reminder On the Subject of "Success" in the Premier League
Roy Hodgson, yes Roy Hodgson provides a realisitc picture of life in Football at a Club - no matter what level or location.
After my Club, Woden Valley, were smashed today by the terrific new PL addition to the competition, Goulburn Strikers, I take some comfort in Roy's musings. Honestly, who would be a Coach in the Premier League, when training was good and no one really saw this shallacking coming.
AH yes - Michael Azize, Coach of the WVFC P16s, you are absolutely right about the earlier post (see 1-4-3-3 video), it is Roy Hodgson. I know, the jumper is the give away, and I shall never trust my source again - when I can find hin to tell him!!!! Apologies to Harry Redknapp.
In the meantime, take the long view and don;t get too tense yet, its still the preseason. But I know some flamin' players who have played their way back to the Gallarginbone Sixths after today though!
After my Club, Woden Valley, were smashed today by the terrific new PL addition to the competition, Goulburn Strikers, I take some comfort in Roy's musings. Honestly, who would be a Coach in the Premier League, when training was good and no one really saw this shallacking coming.
AH yes - Michael Azize, Coach of the WVFC P16s, you are absolutely right about the earlier post (see 1-4-3-3 video), it is Roy Hodgson. I know, the jumper is the give away, and I shall never trust my source again - when I can find hin to tell him!!!! Apologies to Harry Redknapp.
In the meantime, take the long view and don;t get too tense yet, its still the preseason. But I know some flamin' players who have played their way back to the Gallarginbone Sixths after today though!
Are You A Successful Soccer Junior / Youth Coach?
This is a good checklist - courtesy of footy4kids. Take the test!
Get that black dog called "winning" off your back and go for development. The winning will take care of itself.
There are good reasons for not measuring a youth soccer coach's success in terms of a win/loss ratio.
For instance, a coach can prepare his team perfectly, they can outplay the opposition but still lose. Alternatively, a coach who has a squad of naturally gifted players may do nothing with them and his team will still win matches. So a win/loss ratio doesn't really tell us if a coach is good or not.
Get that black dog called "winning" off your back and go for development. The winning will take care of itself.
There are good reasons for not measuring a youth soccer coach's success in terms of a win/loss ratio.
For instance, a coach can prepare his team perfectly, they can outplay the opposition but still lose. Alternatively, a coach who has a squad of naturally gifted players may do nothing with them and his team will still win matches. So a win/loss ratio doesn't really tell us if a coach is good or not.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Coach - What Do You Do About Lazy Players With Bad Attitudes and Parents From Hell!
A straight forward piece of advice from http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/
I can think of a couple of players in the Club I am associated with that fall into this category. Bet you can too! Life is too short to waste time on these malcontents. Let the axe fall!
Get rid of lazy players with bad attitudes.
No amount of good coaching and team building can fully overcome the negative impact of whiners and kids or families that aren't up for the challenge. Let them move on to some other team or activity where they will be happy. Get input from your coaching directors, from other players, from parents, and find out what's really going on. Be more observant and take note of how the players are interacting, look at body shape and eye contact, enthusiasm, and verbal support from the team. Get to know who is really committed. If you have a great player with a terrible player, and you can't get the family squared away, let the player and the family move on. Don't hang on hoping for improvement that never comes, you'll just put yourself and the team through hell. Hardworking players with good attitudes, and their parents, will become angry with you and disillusioned with the team if you don't have the courage to dismiss bad apples and problem parents.
I can think of a couple of players in the Club I am associated with that fall into this category. Bet you can too! Life is too short to waste time on these malcontents. Let the axe fall!
Get rid of lazy players with bad attitudes.
No amount of good coaching and team building can fully overcome the negative impact of whiners and kids or families that aren't up for the challenge. Let them move on to some other team or activity where they will be happy. Get input from your coaching directors, from other players, from parents, and find out what's really going on. Be more observant and take note of how the players are interacting, look at body shape and eye contact, enthusiasm, and verbal support from the team. Get to know who is really committed. If you have a great player with a terrible player, and you can't get the family squared away, let the player and the family move on. Don't hang on hoping for improvement that never comes, you'll just put yourself and the team through hell. Hardworking players with good attitudes, and their parents, will become angry with you and disillusioned with the team if you don't have the courage to dismiss bad apples and problem parents.
How to Deal With Young Players Who Just Won't Listen
If you coach in any of the age groups under 13 years of age, you are sure to meet poorly behaved children. You need to deal with them quickly, fairly and consistently. Children don't respond well to "anarchy", they respond to the coach setting reasonable boundaries (in terms of behaviour). It they don't, there are much bigger problems to hand and they belong back with their parents. Badly behaved children get too much time spent on them trying to correct thier behaviour - they deprive the well behaved children of valuable coaching / playing time and prevent you from coaching! Give em back to their parents to sort out or get their parents to attend training.
"Respect" starts as early as the first training session!
Here are some thoughts and suggestion from http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/
How to deal with players who just won't listen
How do you deal with players who don’t listen at practice and games?
First, it is important to tailor your practice to your players’ ages. If the player or players in question are under eight years old, they are probably just exhibiting personality tendencies common to that age group: short attention spans, high energy, sociability, an inability to understand certain detail-oriented explanations, etc. It has been shown that it is fairly unproductive to attempt to teach players under eight years old the technicalities of soccer such as corner kicks, goalkeeping skills, throw-ins, etc. At this level, the kids just want to have fun and get touches on the ball. This is why small-sided soccer is so important at this level. Playing with less players on the field results in more children getting touches on the ball, and consequently, more learning and more development.
"Respect" starts as early as the first training session!
Here are some thoughts and suggestion from http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/
How to deal with players who just won't listen
How do you deal with players who don’t listen at practice and games?
First, it is important to tailor your practice to your players’ ages. If the player or players in question are under eight years old, they are probably just exhibiting personality tendencies common to that age group: short attention spans, high energy, sociability, an inability to understand certain detail-oriented explanations, etc. It has been shown that it is fairly unproductive to attempt to teach players under eight years old the technicalities of soccer such as corner kicks, goalkeeping skills, throw-ins, etc. At this level, the kids just want to have fun and get touches on the ball. This is why small-sided soccer is so important at this level. Playing with less players on the field results in more children getting touches on the ball, and consequently, more learning and more development.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Should Soccer Players Warm Up and Cool Down for Practices?
Courtesy of Soccerexpert.com
Should Soccer Players Warm Up and Cool Down for Practices?
Soccer players of all ages should warm up before EVERY soccer event and cool down after EVERY soccer event. The number one reason revolves around reducing the likelihood of a soccer related injury. Although warming up is often overlooked by coaches of younger players, a good warm up and cool down should become part of a teams routine.
Should Soccer Players Warm Up and Cool Down for Practices?
Soccer players of all ages should warm up before EVERY soccer event and cool down after EVERY soccer event. The number one reason revolves around reducing the likelihood of a soccer related injury. Although warming up is often overlooked by coaches of younger players, a good warm up and cool down should become part of a teams routine.
4 Key Messages - Nutrition for Football
FIFA publication "F-MARC Nutrition for Football - A practical guide to eating and drinking for health and performance", Based on an International Consensus Conference held at FIFA House in Zurich September 2005
Key messages
Whenever highly talented, motivated and well trained players meet in competition, the margin between victory and defeat is small. Attention to detail can make that vital difference. Diet affects performance, and the food that we choose in training and competition will affect how well we train and play. All players need to be aware of their personal nutritional goals and of how they can select an eating strategy to meet those goals.
Key messages
Whenever highly talented, motivated and well trained players meet in competition, the margin between victory and defeat is small. Attention to detail can make that vital difference. Diet affects performance, and the food that we choose in training and competition will affect how well we train and play. All players need to be aware of their personal nutritional goals and of how they can select an eating strategy to meet those goals.
FIFA Guide to Nutrition for Football
NUTRITION FOR FOOTBALL - YOUNG PLAYERS
Football enjoys one of the highest participation rates for children and adolescents around the world, offering the benefits of aerobic fitness, skill development and a teamenvironment without the risks of a contact sport. Girls and boys can start playing at an early age, often with modifications to rules, playing time and pitch sizes.
Soccer continues as a popular sport from primary school through to university levels. Those with particular talent may be chosen for scholarships to junior development programmes for football. Others continue to play football for recreation, fitness or social contact.
Players should be encouraged to develop good nutritional habits at an early age.
Football enjoys one of the highest participation rates for children and adolescents around the world, offering the benefits of aerobic fitness, skill development and a teamenvironment without the risks of a contact sport. Girls and boys can start playing at an early age, often with modifications to rules, playing time and pitch sizes.
Soccer continues as a popular sport from primary school through to university levels. Those with particular talent may be chosen for scholarships to junior development programmes for football. Others continue to play football for recreation, fitness or social contact.
Players should be encouraged to develop good nutritional habits at an early age.
Athletic Nutrition Bytes: Fueling the Body for Competition
If you are playing Premier League Football, a member of a Div1 Club Football Team or part of a Football development program of any sort, you should paying attention to your nutrition, become informed about what is good for you and what is not and take responsibility for the food you eat. Any player at any age who is serious about progressing in Football cannot ignore the importance of getting the right fuel into the body at the right time. Parents with children in development programs need to get across these requirements. Hard training puts a lot of demands on the body - the right food and enough water make all teh difference. If you are doing a lot of training, it might be useful to consult a Nuitritionist. Simple as that!
This article may help get you started.
Athletic nutrition bytes: fueling the body for competition
Coach and Athletic Director, Dec, 2007 by Ken Mannie, Joe Carlson, Scott Sehnert
Athletes are taught that being a part of a winning team requires discipline and attention to detail in the classroom, on and off the field, and in the food choices they put on their plate.
In today's frenetic fast-food world, the latter can prove to be one of their toughest challenges.
Fueling the body and mind helps student-athletes perform optimally in the classroom, in the weight room, and in competition.
This article may help get you started.
Athletic nutrition bytes: fueling the body for competition
Coach and Athletic Director, Dec, 2007 by Ken Mannie, Joe Carlson, Scott Sehnert
Athletes are taught that being a part of a winning team requires discipline and attention to detail in the classroom, on and off the field, and in the food choices they put on their plate.
In today's frenetic fast-food world, the latter can prove to be one of their toughest challenges.
Fueling the body and mind helps student-athletes perform optimally in the classroom, in the weight room, and in competition.
Statistics and the Form of the Soccer Match
This is an interesting article.
Statistics and the Form of the Soccer Match
by Brian Phillips on October 8, 2009
Back in May, before I knew that academic statisticians were eavesdropping on my thoughts, I mused on Sport Is a TV Show that "judging the footballing abilities of two football teams is so difficult that football itself is often a bad way to do it." I was writing about matches that end in penalty shootouts, but the thought applies just as well to matches in which one team plays better than the other team but loses anyway. As we all know, that's not an uncommon occurrence—it happens much more in soccer than in any other sport I follow—which is one reason the soccer punditry is so zealous in proclaiming afterwards, whether the winning team really deserved to win. Scoring in soccer is so much more difficult than scoring in other sports, and matches are so much more likely to come down to two or three individual moments, that there will always be an interesting gap between results and merit.
Statistics and the Form of the Soccer Match
by Brian Phillips on October 8, 2009
Back in May, before I knew that academic statisticians were eavesdropping on my thoughts, I mused on Sport Is a TV Show that "judging the footballing abilities of two football teams is so difficult that football itself is often a bad way to do it." I was writing about matches that end in penalty shootouts, but the thought applies just as well to matches in which one team plays better than the other team but loses anyway. As we all know, that's not an uncommon occurrence—it happens much more in soccer than in any other sport I follow—which is one reason the soccer punditry is so zealous in proclaiming afterwards, whether the winning team really deserved to win. Scoring in soccer is so much more difficult than scoring in other sports, and matches are so much more likely to come down to two or three individual moments, that there will always be an interesting gap between results and merit.
Classic NPL - Georgia Soccer: Player Development Philosophy
The NPL first put this to air in 2009.
The Georgia Soccer Association of the USA is a progressive organisation.
As the start of the 2010 season approaches and Junior / Youth players register in their many thousands, this discussion on player development is as timeless as it is essential listening.
To Download the Podcast go here:
The Georgia Soccer Association of the USA is a progressive organisation.
As the start of the 2010 season approaches and Junior / Youth players register in their many thousands, this discussion on player development is as timeless as it is essential listening.
To Download the Podcast go here:
Monday, March 15, 2010
CEO Capital Football Talks Women's Football and ACTAS
We have the extended interview (less other program material that will go to air on 16 March 2010), with CEO Capital Football, Heather Reid concerning the new CF Women's Competition Rules which enable ACTAS Women's Squad players to return to play for Clubs in the CF Women's Premier League.
This is an important interview for Women's Football in the ACT. The collaboration between the ACTAS Women's Coach (and Canberra United) Ray Juna, and the CEO and Techncial Staff of Capital Football is an exemplar for what can be done for the development of our players. Complicated and perhaps delicate football adminstrative matters handled at the appropriate level by those qalified to do it. Outstanding!
Here are some statistics in respect of the growth of the game in the last year provided in the interview by the CEO (and that's before we get to the World Cup):
This is an important interview for Women's Football in the ACT. The collaboration between the ACTAS Women's Coach (and Canberra United) Ray Juna, and the CEO and Techncial Staff of Capital Football is an exemplar for what can be done for the development of our players. Complicated and perhaps delicate football adminstrative matters handled at the appropriate level by those qalified to do it. Outstanding!
Here are some statistics in respect of the growth of the game in the last year provided in the interview by the CEO (and that's before we get to the World Cup):
- Girls - increase by 13.9%
- Women's - increase by 10%
- Boys - small decrease
- Men's - increase by 10%
Failing Academies! Change the Game!
This video concentrates on the English Football Academies and it makes you wonder why anyone bothers to make the pilgrimage over there to get into these academies. This video was made in 2007 and things are said to be improving.
The FFA's thrust through the NAtional Curriculum, NTCs and HPPs is designed to aviod the shortfalls catalogued in this video around English PL Academies.
Here are some comments made in th video and they should resonate here in the ACT (and Australia):
Question - If the A League Clubs all get an "Academy" established, what will it's "culture" be and what will the FFA's technical influence be over them?
The FFA's thrust through the NAtional Curriculum, NTCs and HPPs is designed to aviod the shortfalls catalogued in this video around English PL Academies.
Here are some comments made in th video and they should resonate here in the ACT (and Australia):
- ".... they pick athletes not footballers."
- "... Academies foster a winning culture not a delevopment culture...."
- "... watch Barcelona, I don't see a lot of athletes, but there are lots of footballers..."
Question - If the A League Clubs all get an "Academy" established, what will it's "culture" be and what will the FFA's technical influence be over them?
What Can Game Statistics Tell You and Does Your CLub Collect and Use Them?
Its unlikely that many of our Premier League Clubs too muchin the way of game stats, which is a shame, because they can tell the Coach and player(s) a lot - about themsleves and their opponents.
Collecting stats takes time and analysing them takes more time. Then what to do with them?
How many teams in our PL take vidoe of their games - the good old hand held video camera will do? I don;t see too much of it around the grounds. Pity. I suspeect that many of our junior games have a more comprehensive record captures on video by enthusiastic parents - pciture and videos "go striaght to the pool room"!
This video provides some rudimentray analysis of the EPL season 2007. Take the time to see what it might have told you if you were a supporter, coach or player. Very intersting. Data collected by The Times and analysed by Phil Wymer.
Collecting stats takes time and analysing them takes more time. Then what to do with them?
How many teams in our PL take vidoe of their games - the good old hand held video camera will do? I don;t see too much of it around the grounds. Pity. I suspeect that many of our junior games have a more comprehensive record captures on video by enthusiastic parents - pciture and videos "go striaght to the pool room"!
This video provides some rudimentray analysis of the EPL season 2007. Take the time to see what it might have told you if you were a supporter, coach or player. Very intersting. Data collected by The Times and analysed by Phil Wymer.
So What Do Some of the World's Top Managers / Coaches Think Constitute the Pathway to Success in Football?
Reflect on two things when you watch this short video:
Question - Do successful teams tackle better than unsuccessful team?
Question - Do successful team cros more often or more successfully?
Question - Are successful teams better passess of the ball?
- What is the FFA National Curriculum trying to get Clubs, NTC's, HPP's and players to see as the way ahead - and make it happen.
- Players must have the individual technical skill to make it all possible, and then you must identify the system and style of play your team can absorb to enable it to happen. (see earlier posts)
Question - Do successful teams tackle better than unsuccessful team?
Question - Do successful team cros more often or more successfully?
Question - Are successful teams better passess of the ball?
CEO Capital Football Talks About Women's Football and the Return of ACTAS Women Players to the Women's Premier League
The following program is broadcast on 16 March 2010
In a stroke of pure genius and a substantial measure of good judgement, Capital Football and ACTS Women's Coach (and Canbera United), Ray Juna have collaborated to see the managed return of ACTAS squad players back to the Women's Premier League.
See earlier post concerning the new Women's competition rules covering this initiative.
This is how it should work - the best of our players, those with aspirations to go as far as they can in football, being developed both within elite football training programs and through Clubs as appropriate. The Coach maximising every opportunity to give these young players additional playing opportunities at the appropriate level(s) of resistance. Clubs appreciating, recognising and accepting that they too have a responsibility in the development of players at all levels. The value of the return of these young women players is already evident in the Federation Cup games. Just terrific.
The inclusion of new competition rules for Women's Football has enabled the inclusion of ACTAS players and kept a balance across Clubs. A good Football intiative supported by good Football administration and quality Coach management. Its simply a first class example of a "player centred approach" that has the bonus of working for the game in community football.
The ACTAS players will not always be available to Club Coaches, as they fulfill other obligations, and this will mean the Clubs will need to be careful how they prepare other players to "step up", but what a bonus!
Now, what about the Men's ACTAS program?
Go here to Download the Podcast:
In a stroke of pure genius and a substantial measure of good judgement, Capital Football and ACTS Women's Coach (and Canbera United), Ray Juna have collaborated to see the managed return of ACTAS squad players back to the Women's Premier League.
See earlier post concerning the new Women's competition rules covering this initiative.
This is how it should work - the best of our players, those with aspirations to go as far as they can in football, being developed both within elite football training programs and through Clubs as appropriate. The Coach maximising every opportunity to give these young players additional playing opportunities at the appropriate level(s) of resistance. Clubs appreciating, recognising and accepting that they too have a responsibility in the development of players at all levels. The value of the return of these young women players is already evident in the Federation Cup games. Just terrific.
The inclusion of new competition rules for Women's Football has enabled the inclusion of ACTAS players and kept a balance across Clubs. A good Football intiative supported by good Football administration and quality Coach management. Its simply a first class example of a "player centred approach" that has the bonus of working for the game in community football.
The ACTAS players will not always be available to Club Coaches, as they fulfill other obligations, and this will mean the Clubs will need to be careful how they prepare other players to "step up", but what a bonus!
Now, what about the Men's ACTAS program?
Go here to Download the Podcast:
Saturday, March 13, 2010
So now we have a "System of Play" - So what "Style of Play" will we adopt??
The FFA Technical Director, Han Berger, talks about two things when he is speaking about the new National Football Curriculum:
The two together are the way ahead. You can have a 1-4-3-3 system of play and not be a possession based team. We want to be a possession based team. Peaches and Cream!
Let's have a closer look at this one - it's worth the effort. Courtesy of the publication "Soccer Systems and Strategies, Jens Bangsbo and Birfeg Peitersen, ISBN-10:0-7360-0300-2" and "The SBS World Game video of Han Berger at the FFA Coahing Conference March 2010".
- The "System of Play" he wants adopted in all "developmental" contexts - the 1-4-3-3
- The "Style of Play" he wants employed when using the "System of Play" - a possession based game and playing out from the back.
The two together are the way ahead. You can have a 1-4-3-3 system of play and not be a possession based team. We want to be a possession based team. Peaches and Cream!
Let's have a closer look at this one - it's worth the effort. Courtesy of the publication "Soccer Systems and Strategies, Jens Bangsbo and Birfeg Peitersen, ISBN-10:0-7360-0300-2" and "The SBS World Game video of Han Berger at the FFA Coahing Conference March 2010".
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Trust Your Technique and Practice, Practice, Practice!
This article from Psychology Today is something we all know about in Football. Read on...
"The researchers found that in the high-pressure situation, the kickers tended to fixate on the goalie, looking at them earlier in the kicking process and keeping their eyes on him longer. As a result, they subsequently tended to kick their shots toward him more often as well, making their shots easier to block."
"The researchers found that in the high-pressure situation, the kickers tended to fixate on the goalie, looking at them earlier in the kicking process and keeping their eyes on him longer. As a result, they subsequently tended to kick their shots toward him more often as well, making their shots easier to block."
What are the Start Times for Junior Football Games in 2010?
As I watched the trials at my son's school this week, we parents asked the obvious question - when do the games start this season?
This is an important question! If there is more than one child to get to Football on Saturday, this is vital information. If you intend to coach a team (other than the one your child is playing in), you need to get the timing right so that you can get across to see your son or daughter play.
I rang Capital Football to find out what time all the Junior Football games would start this season - girls and boys. The Capital Football Junior League Manager, Melanie Luksa kindly gave me the following information for the start times and it applies to both Girls and Boys:
So start planning and get the transport solution sorted out. Volunteer to coach or manage a team. Do a Community Coaching course through Capital Football - its painless and interesting and gets you started.
Remember there are some changes to the small sided games this season - for example, Under 12's go to a full size field and 11v11.
Detailed draws will be published when Clubs advise CF of the teams etc.
I notice that some Junior teams (various ages) are already in training around the ACT.
Let the 2010 season for Junior Football begin.
This is an important question! If there is more than one child to get to Football on Saturday, this is vital information. If you intend to coach a team (other than the one your child is playing in), you need to get the timing right so that you can get across to see your son or daughter play.
I rang Capital Football to find out what time all the Junior Football games would start this season - girls and boys. The Capital Football Junior League Manager, Melanie Luksa kindly gave me the following information for the start times and it applies to both Girls and Boys:
- Under 10 - 11:30AM
- Under 11 - 12:30PM
- Under 12 - 1:45PM
- Under 13 - 12:30PM
- Under 14 - 1:45PM
- Under 15 - 3:10PM
- Under 16 - 3:10PM
- Under 18 - 3:10PM
So start planning and get the transport solution sorted out. Volunteer to coach or manage a team. Do a Community Coaching course through Capital Football - its painless and interesting and gets you started.
Remember there are some changes to the small sided games this season - for example, Under 12's go to a full size field and 11v11.
Detailed draws will be published when Clubs advise CF of the teams etc.
I notice that some Junior teams (various ages) are already in training around the ACT.
Let the 2010 season for Junior Football begin.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Members Common Sense Wins Out Over HPP. Referees and Clubs Meet for Pre-Season Discussion. Refresher on the 1-4-3-3 System of Play
Program Broadcast on 09 MArch 2010 at 2xxfm, 98.3mhz through the COmmunity Radio Network.
Tonight's program is a diverse offerring:
Tonight's program is a diverse offerring:
- President of the Capital Football, John Logue confirms that the Board has reconsidered it's position over the issue of playing squads for the HPP and agreed in substantial part with the views expressed by the Members (Zone Reps and Chairs of the Standing Committees). See earlier posts for further comments of this matter. In short, there will be no playing squads for the HPP, with the exception of the Under 13 Boys - which is a curious exception.
- What do you really know about the 1-4-3-3 system of play? We have two short explanations - the first from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and another from UEFA, with the Coach, Harry Rednapp of the EPL team Tottenham Hotspurs giving his views ont he system of play. Very intersting.
- The State Coach of Referees, Clive MacKillop brings us up to date with the availability of referees for 2010 and the issues that arose form a meeting between key Referee officials and Club Coaches.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Dynamic Stretching vs. Static Stretching
Look around the grounds at training and games - some coaches start with Static Streching activites, others go striaght into what can be called Dynamic Stretching in the form of game related ball activities. In the Premier League you see more of Dynamic than the Static.
At the end of the game, if the Coaches take the trouble to conduct a post game activity (Cool Down /Recovery) you see the Static Stretching.
The purpose is obvious - to prepare players for the game or training ahead, then assist them recovering following a game or training. The Coach's focus is straigthforward - what does it best, what form should it take, get it organised and make sure the players do it?
Everything changes as knowledge growas, so keep yourself up to date and bring it into your team where you are able to do so.
Here is some useful information from elitesoccerconditioning.com at: http://www.elitesoccerconditioning.com/Stretching-Flexibility/DynamicStretchingvsStaticStretching.htm
"As coaches and trainers we will perform anything from plyometrics to sprinting to reduce injury and increase performance. The real question is whether the type of stretching we chose to perform before activity will have an affect on the performance and injury levels of our athletes. "
At the end of the game, if the Coaches take the trouble to conduct a post game activity (Cool Down /Recovery) you see the Static Stretching.
The purpose is obvious - to prepare players for the game or training ahead, then assist them recovering following a game or training. The Coach's focus is straigthforward - what does it best, what form should it take, get it organised and make sure the players do it?
Everything changes as knowledge growas, so keep yourself up to date and bring it into your team where you are able to do so.
Here is some useful information from elitesoccerconditioning.com at: http://www.elitesoccerconditioning.com/Stretching-Flexibility/DynamicStretchingvsStaticStretching.htm
"As coaches and trainers we will perform anything from plyometrics to sprinting to reduce injury and increase performance. The real question is whether the type of stretching we chose to perform before activity will have an affect on the performance and injury levels of our athletes. "
A Further Description of the 1-4-3-3 System of Play
The following website has some short descriptions of the various playing you may find useful to read yourself into the "grand design" on the football field!
http://www.elitesoccerconditioning.com/4-3-3/433basics.htm
The following short desription covers the positional responsibiliteis of the 1-4-3-3 system of play. A handy reference point. Remember, its essential to know what this system of play is all about and think " passing triangles" from back to front - there are plenty of them. Pay attention to what players forward must when the ball turns over and they must transition quickly to "defence", before they win the ball back and so on. There are players, coaches, high performance programs, NTCs and teams all over the nation, at all ages, coming to grips with this system of play.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Bit More On the 1-4-3-3 System of Play
This presentation comes from UEFA.
Recognise the Coach talking about this system of play?
Recognise the Coach talking about this system of play?
Where Would We Be Without the 1-4-4-2 System of Play?
Paul Marco discusses the 1-4-4-2 system of play, as presented in the NSCAA Premier Diploma course.
Its a favourite of many Coaches and you'll see plenty of it in our Premier League and just about every competition. In fact, it's not uncommon to find that a Junior player has experienced as good as nothing else but this sytem of play. Its like a comfortable pair of shoes. But not without its problems.
Its a favourite of many Coaches and you'll see plenty of it in our Premier League and just about every competition. In fact, it's not uncommon to find that a Junior player has experienced as good as nothing else but this sytem of play. Its like a comfortable pair of shoes. But not without its problems.
What is the 1-3-4-3 System of Play?
Anson Dorrance discusses the 1-3-4-3 system of play, as presented in the NSCAA Premier Diploma course.
You occassionally see this system in the Premier League. I watched a PL16 game last season between Canberra FC and Woden Valley FC. Woden went behind by a goal and the game was into the last ten minutes. The Woden Coach instructed his players to move to 1-3-4-3 in order to press for a goal. No problem for the lads! They changed up superbly and very nearly pulled it off.
You occassionally see this system in the Premier League. I watched a PL16 game last season between Canberra FC and Woden Valley FC. Woden went behind by a goal and the game was into the last ten minutes. The Woden Coach instructed his players to move to 1-3-4-3 in order to press for a goal. No problem for the lads! They changed up superbly and very nearly pulled it off.
What is the 1-3-5-2 Sytem of Play?
This presentation was given to the US NSCAA Premier Diploma course by Doug Williamson.
We have clubs in our Premier League that use this system. Better to know a bit about it and identify it when its played against your team.
We have clubs in our Premier League that use this system. Better to know a bit about it and identify it when its played against your team.
What is the 1-4-3-3 Sytem of Play?
This is a short but informative explanation of the 1-4-3-3 system of play from the US NSCAA Premier Diploma.
We need to know as much as we can as soon as we can about this system of play. Some Premier League Clubs are already bringing it into their PL teams this season. It is the system endorsed by the FFA and to be used by all State and Territory Associations for their representative teams at the National Youth Championships and by the National Training Centres (eg ACTAS, SASI etc).
Take the time to watch this video.
We need to know as much as we can as soon as we can about this system of play. Some Premier League Clubs are already bringing it into their PL teams this season. It is the system endorsed by the FFA and to be used by all State and Territory Associations for their representative teams at the National Youth Championships and by the National Training Centres (eg ACTAS, SASI etc).
Take the time to watch this video.
Coerver Legend and Co-Founder Alfred Galustian talks about Player Development and Coaches
The NPL conducted a lengthy interview with two remarkable football people - Alfred Galustian, the Co-Founder of Coerver International, the premier global football technical training organisation, and, Shinji Ishibashi the COO of Coerver Asia Pacific.
Alfred Galustian is a football legend. When he talks you listen. Alfred has been engaged by the FFA to coach / mentor the new crop of football coaches selected by the FFA to lead the way ahead in Australia. What more can I say!
Shinji Ishibashi is a former J League player and football dynamo of an entreprenuer when it comes to enabling the development of players of all ages. Just listen to what they doing in Japan! A significant number of Coerver participants have now made their way into the various Japanese National age group teams and J League Clubs. Shinji has established a Coaches Academy program within Coerver and its taken off! Remarkable!
This is a long "fireside chat", so download the podcast, get a cup of tea, a comfortable chair, close the door and settle back for a good football experience.
Download the podcast here:
Alfred Galustian is a football legend. When he talks you listen. Alfred has been engaged by the FFA to coach / mentor the new crop of football coaches selected by the FFA to lead the way ahead in Australia. What more can I say!
Shinji Ishibashi is a former J League player and football dynamo of an entreprenuer when it comes to enabling the development of players of all ages. Just listen to what they doing in Japan! A significant number of Coerver participants have now made their way into the various Japanese National age group teams and J League Clubs. Shinji has established a Coaches Academy program within Coerver and its taken off! Remarkable!
This is a long "fireside chat", so download the podcast, get a cup of tea, a comfortable chair, close the door and settle back for a good football experience.
Download the podcast here:
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The John Mitchell Interviews
By popular request, the NPL will put the interviews conducted with John Mitchell, Coach of the ANU PL team (ANU Elite Program), up on the NPL site in one group, for ease of access. John is a player, Coach and former Capital Football Technical Director.
The interviews are very informative and cover his work at ANU and importantly, the "Development of the Talented Player". Not to be missed.
The interviews are very informative and cover his work at ANU and importantly, the "Development of the Talented Player". Not to be missed.
How You Coach and Support the Roo Ball Kids is Very Important!
This is an excellent introduction to coaching children around the Under 5 year age groups.
Take time and watch it if you are the Parent that has been "volunteered" to coach the little ones this season and/or the Parent that will be "on duty" at the ground to watch them play. You are incredibly important people!
Take time and watch it if you are the Parent that has been "volunteered" to coach the little ones this season and/or the Parent that will be "on duty" at the ground to watch them play. You are incredibly important people!
A Master Class in Developing Young Players with a Good Junior Coach!
The FFA's new National Football Curriculum requires coaches at the Junior Football level to be focussed on "development". A Junior coach who pursues "Winning" as the sole objective is of no use at all. If you sign up to coach on the basis that you will "develop" players, you are certain to find it is a hard road - but stay with it and you will find it incredibly rewarding.
You will know from an earlier post that the NPL local has introduced the ACT Under 13 Girls team and they are currently preparing for the National Youth Championships to be held in the ACT in early April. They are coached by a highly experienced Junior Football Coach - Colin Johnstone. Colin works with the CF Technical Director (Ian Shaw) and the Coach of the ACTAS Women's Program and Coach of Canberra United (Ray Junna). Colin does fantastic work at Woden Valley Soccer Club, spending large amounts of time coaching the coaches. He has also coached ACT Futsal at the last Nationals. So the ACT U13 Girls are in good hands for their National Youth Chmpionship campaign.
A parent told me they were playing a game this weekend and why not come and have a look at how they going. I went and watched this ACT rep team play a training game against an ACT Boys Selection (coached by Eddie Senatore) this morning at Kambah. Watching what they do is the acid test!
Well let me tell you, the girls are good. And the boys also played in good style. Both teams played 1-4-3-3, played out from the back and focussed on retaining possession. It was just as you would imagine a training game might be, with experienced coaches bringing the FFA National Curriculum to life. If the "technical staff" at the FFA had been running the ruler over both coaches and players, I have no doubt the score woul dhave been high for compliance with the requirement of the FFA National Curriculum. And that is really important!
But I will focus on the ACT U13 Girls.
You will know from an earlier post that the NPL local has introduced the ACT Under 13 Girls team and they are currently preparing for the National Youth Championships to be held in the ACT in early April. They are coached by a highly experienced Junior Football Coach - Colin Johnstone. Colin works with the CF Technical Director (Ian Shaw) and the Coach of the ACTAS Women's Program and Coach of Canberra United (Ray Junna). Colin does fantastic work at Woden Valley Soccer Club, spending large amounts of time coaching the coaches. He has also coached ACT Futsal at the last Nationals. So the ACT U13 Girls are in good hands for their National Youth Chmpionship campaign.
A parent told me they were playing a game this weekend and why not come and have a look at how they going. I went and watched this ACT rep team play a training game against an ACT Boys Selection (coached by Eddie Senatore) this morning at Kambah. Watching what they do is the acid test!
Well let me tell you, the girls are good. And the boys also played in good style. Both teams played 1-4-3-3, played out from the back and focussed on retaining possession. It was just as you would imagine a training game might be, with experienced coaches bringing the FFA National Curriculum to life. If the "technical staff" at the FFA had been running the ruler over both coaches and players, I have no doubt the score woul dhave been high for compliance with the requirement of the FFA National Curriculum. And that is really important!
But I will focus on the ACT U13 Girls.
Referees Reps and PL Coaches Meet to Talk About 2010
The principal ACT's Referee's Representatives met with Premier League Coaches and some State League Coaches to discuss the season ahead. A good thing! What did they talk about?
After the first Round of the Federation Cup, in which there was a well deserved flurry of Yellow and Red Cards, no doubt some Coaches were already looking carefully at their playing roster. The Yellow Cards accumulate and for some, its entirely likely they will miss important games early in the season. Not good. The sends off I saw at Hawker was well deserved - and it cerrtainly sounded like one of them for abuse of the Ref. Where has this player been hiding?
The NPL has spoken at length to the State Coach of Referees, Clive MacKillop about the meeting. Its very interesting - particularly if you are a coach. The Podcast will be put up later today so keep checking.
After the first Round of the Federation Cup, in which there was a well deserved flurry of Yellow and Red Cards, no doubt some Coaches were already looking carefully at their playing roster. The Yellow Cards accumulate and for some, its entirely likely they will miss important games early in the season. Not good. The sends off I saw at Hawker was well deserved - and it cerrtainly sounded like one of them for abuse of the Ref. Where has this player been hiding?
The NPL has spoken at length to the State Coach of Referees, Clive MacKillop about the meeting. Its very interesting - particularly if you are a coach. The Podcast will be put up later today so keep checking.
Respect - If you left it to the Players this might happen!!!
Another good one in the English FA Respect Campaign
Thursday, March 4, 2010
ACT Under 13 Girls Prepare for Nationals - and looking good! The Technical Revolution!
The National Youth Championships (NYC) are fast approaching for the Under 13 Girls and Boys age groups. They will be held in early April 2010. It will be important to keep an eye on the Capital Football website for the details. The NPL will post detials as soon as they become available. You wont want to miss this tournament!
The NYC for this age group will be held in the ACT. It was held at O'Connor fields last year for this age group - lets hope it's the AIS as for the recent NTC Challenge. If you managed to get to this event last year you would know what terrific football is ahead. Changes trialled at the NTC Challenge will be employed in the NYC - see comments below.
The NYC for this age group will be held in the ACT. It was held at O'Connor fields last year for this age group - lets hope it's the AIS as for the recent NTC Challenge. If you managed to get to this event last year you would know what terrific football is ahead. Changes trialled at the NTC Challenge will be employed in the NYC - see comments below.
Respect Referees - Do You?
We have a serious problem - we do not have enough referees to officiate at all scheduled games. At the Junior Football level, the games are officiated by young people, usually players. We lose as many as we train each year - why - primarily because of the abuse hurled at them by adults (coaches and parents) on the sideline. Its disgusting. Why would any young person put up with this situation? They don't, but I'll bet the Clubs continue to allow the adults to coach or stand on the sidelines. Clubs need to get on top of this situation. Top priority!
The FA's Respect Programme enlists the help of Hollywood star Ray Winstone. See the video in this post...
The FA's Respect Programme enlists the help of Hollywood star Ray Winstone. See the video in this post...
Respect the Game - Do you?
Watch this new video from the English FA on respect for the game.
This one is for all the parents that live vicariously through thier children and coaches that think that winning is all there is to the game, they inhabit the sidelines on game day, hurl torrents of abuse and think that their kids play for their entertainment.
This one is for all the parents that live vicariously through thier children and coaches that think that winning is all there is to the game, they inhabit the sidelines on game day, hurl torrents of abuse and think that their kids play for their entertainment.
Want to Know the Clubs Under Capital Football's Umbrella?
Zones and Clubs
Ginninderra Region
Belconnen United FC
Belnorth FC
Belsouth JSC
Belwest FC
Gungahlin United FC
Gungahlin Juventus
North Canberra Futsal
O'Connor Knights
Radford College
UCU Pumas
Yass FC
Limestone Region
ADFA
ANU FC
ANU WSC
Canberra City FC
Crossroads FC
Gundaroo Bullocks
Majura SC
Monaro SC
Queanbeyan City
RMC
South Zone
Namadgi
Brindabella Blues
Burns Club
Capital Futsal
Cooma Tigers
Lanyon United FC
South Canberra Futsal
Tuggeranong United SC
Tuggeranong JSC
Tuggeranong WSC
Weston Creek
Central
Canberra Boys Grammar School
Canberra Girls Grammar School
Canberra FC
Canberra Olympic SC
Capital FC
Marist College
Narrabundah SC
Players FC
St Edmunds College
White Eagles
Woden Valley FC
Woden Valley Soccer Club
Ginninderra Region
Belconnen United FC
Belnorth FC
Belsouth JSC
Belwest FC
Gungahlin United FC
Gungahlin Juventus
North Canberra Futsal
O'Connor Knights
Radford College
UCU Pumas
Yass FC
Limestone Region
ADFA
ANU FC
ANU WSC
Canberra City FC
Crossroads FC
Gundaroo Bullocks
Majura SC
Monaro SC
Queanbeyan City
RMC
South Zone
Namadgi
Brindabella Blues
Burns Club
Capital Futsal
Cooma Tigers
Lanyon United FC
South Canberra Futsal
Tuggeranong United SC
Tuggeranong JSC
Tuggeranong WSC
Weston Creek
Central
Canberra Boys Grammar School
Canberra Girls Grammar School
Canberra FC
Canberra Olympic SC
Capital FC
Marist College
Narrabundah SC
Players FC
St Edmunds College
White Eagles
Woden Valley FC
Woden Valley Soccer Club
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Club Football is Community Football - "More than a Club"
Clubs are the building blocks of Football in our community.
Develop our players - all of them in their turn - and develop further those of the players who have some talent that goes beyond the normal. People have all sorts of ambitions and dreams in Football and they are all as good as the other. Helping people be the best they can be is at the heart of development. But never leave the Clubs out of the picture.
In recent times it seems some of us may have lost their focus. Lets get it and them back.
Develop our players - all of them in their turn - and develop further those of the players who have some talent that goes beyond the normal. People have all sorts of ambitions and dreams in Football and they are all as good as the other. Helping people be the best they can be is at the heart of development. But never leave the Clubs out of the picture.
In recent times it seems some of us may have lost their focus. Lets get it and them back.
ACT Women's Football Playing Competition Rules for 2010 Show Some Enterprise
As you may know, there has been plenty of Club concern for the inability of players (men and women) to play for the their Club during the normal football season. The CF Football HPP and ACTAS are the two points of concern.
Our talented player pool is not so great that we can or should harvest the best tp play against the remainder of our players in our own competition. Clubs need these players, they are an integral part of the development process - of the talented players and of those they may play with in season.
The CF Board position now appears (as of 1/3/10) to have resolved (in large part) the Mens HPP matter in favour of the players returning to Club if they choose to do (exception is the U13 Boys). See earlier post on this matter.
The Women's HPP doesn't have playing squads - they were treated differently, though the NPL is not sure why this is the case. Its a curious contradiction but in this case a good one for the women players and Clubs.
That brings us to ACTAS!
Our talented player pool is not so great that we can or should harvest the best tp play against the remainder of our players in our own competition. Clubs need these players, they are an integral part of the development process - of the talented players and of those they may play with in season.
The CF Board position now appears (as of 1/3/10) to have resolved (in large part) the Mens HPP matter in favour of the players returning to Club if they choose to do (exception is the U13 Boys). See earlier post on this matter.
The Women's HPP doesn't have playing squads - they were treated differently, though the NPL is not sure why this is the case. Its a curious contradiction but in this case a good one for the women players and Clubs.
That brings us to ACTAS!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Ethics in Junior / Youth Football
A terrific message from that excellent US Soccer Association - Georgia Soccer
Go her for Georgia Soccer:
ETHICS IN YOUTH SOCCER
A Message to club Leaders
First, The Good News - Bad News
The explosion in youth soccer participation in this country is attributed by most experts to the facts that soccer is a relatively cheap sport, is healthy, building a solid base of coordination, speed and stamina for life, and it doesn’t discriminate against any body size or height. In short, anybody and everybody can play, enjoy, and reap the benefits.
After over 30 years of sustained growth, youth soccer has become very much entrenched in our communities across the nation. For soccer lovers, this is a great time to be involved with the game and revel in its coming of age. There are many positive signs associated with this growth. The level of organization and sophistication in the youth game is steadily rising. The players are certainly getting better. Our national teams at all age groups, male and female, are making progress, and professional soccer has finally gained a beachhead in the American sport landscape and is in the process of consolidating. We are also beginning to notice the emergence of a new generation of youth coaches, coaches who actually played soccer when they were growing up. Many of these coaches work in youth soccer full-time as Directors of Coaching or paid staff.
Youth soccer has also become very competitive. Although competitiveness is a natural and desirable mindset in the quest for sport excellence, it can also spawn negative consequences if not harnessed properly. And many people are noticing the warning signs and are trying to raise the awareness of the decision makers in youth soccer, the club coaches, administrators and parents.
Go her for Georgia Soccer:
ETHICS IN YOUTH SOCCER
A Message to club Leaders
First, The Good News - Bad News
The explosion in youth soccer participation in this country is attributed by most experts to the facts that soccer is a relatively cheap sport, is healthy, building a solid base of coordination, speed and stamina for life, and it doesn’t discriminate against any body size or height. In short, anybody and everybody can play, enjoy, and reap the benefits.
After over 30 years of sustained growth, youth soccer has become very much entrenched in our communities across the nation. For soccer lovers, this is a great time to be involved with the game and revel in its coming of age. There are many positive signs associated with this growth. The level of organization and sophistication in the youth game is steadily rising. The players are certainly getting better. Our national teams at all age groups, male and female, are making progress, and professional soccer has finally gained a beachhead in the American sport landscape and is in the process of consolidating. We are also beginning to notice the emergence of a new generation of youth coaches, coaches who actually played soccer when they were growing up. Many of these coaches work in youth soccer full-time as Directors of Coaching or paid staff.
Youth soccer has also become very competitive. Although competitiveness is a natural and desirable mindset in the quest for sport excellence, it can also spawn negative consequences if not harnessed properly. And many people are noticing the warning signs and are trying to raise the awareness of the decision makers in youth soccer, the club coaches, administrators and parents.
Be As Good As You Can Be - Players and Coaches!
This program was broadcast on 3 Feb 2010 on 2XXfm Community Radio network.
Tonights program is full of promise and hope around Football.
First the Craig Johnson story - a fair dinkum Australian Football story if ever there was one and so much more! This interview is a beauty from the wonderful SBS television program - the World Game. He is an inspriation to all players of all abilities, past and present. He's a living National Treasure!
Then we go to the subject of Coach Education. We speak to Pat McCann, Assistant Technical Director, Capital Football whose portfolio of responsibilities includes Coach Education. We have been making real progress in the ACT in this field of activity in recent times, tightly linked as it is to the introduction of the new National Curriculum (Football that is!). Then we listen to the English FA's postion on the subject. They speak of a change in the culture of coaching and a focus on what they call "the player centred approach". There are lots of structural differences between their football environment and ours, but the messages are hauntingly similiar. The changes are world wide and here in Australia we are probably well up the front of the pack. Good thing!
To Download the NPL program go to this link:
Tonights program is full of promise and hope around Football.
First the Craig Johnson story - a fair dinkum Australian Football story if ever there was one and so much more! This interview is a beauty from the wonderful SBS television program - the World Game. He is an inspriation to all players of all abilities, past and present. He's a living National Treasure!
Then we go to the subject of Coach Education. We speak to Pat McCann, Assistant Technical Director, Capital Football whose portfolio of responsibilities includes Coach Education. We have been making real progress in the ACT in this field of activity in recent times, tightly linked as it is to the introduction of the new National Curriculum (Football that is!). Then we listen to the English FA's postion on the subject. They speak of a change in the culture of coaching and a focus on what they call "the player centred approach". There are lots of structural differences between their football environment and ours, but the messages are hauntingly similiar. The changes are world wide and here in Australia we are probably well up the front of the pack. Good thing!
To Download the NPL program go to this link:
Monday, March 1, 2010
Is this the Final Decision by the CF Board on the HPP Playing Squad Situation?
As you are probably aware, the CF Board withdrew to consider its position on several issues that were the subject of discussion at a meeting last week between the Zone representatives (and Club Presidents) and the Capital Football Board. The decision by the CF Board to continue HPP playing squads, which saw players removed from clubs to play for a Capital Football Team(s) against Club teams in the local Junior Football competition, was one important difference between the the Board and Zone Reps / Clubs.
The CF Board was put on notice, which must have come as a shock for some of them.
The meeting is due to reconvene tomorrow evening (Tuesday) to establish the Board's final (?) position. Beyond that all is unknown. Until now!
The CF Board was put on notice, which must have come as a shock for some of them.
The meeting is due to reconvene tomorrow evening (Tuesday) to establish the Board's final (?) position. Beyond that all is unknown. Until now!
Federation Cup Womens - Round One Results
The following results are courtesy of Capital Football.
Women's Federation Cup Results - Round One
POOL A
Belwest Foxes 12 (Cian Maciejewski (4), Hope Wilkins (3), Snez Veljanovska (2), Georgia Chapman, Lee Dickson, Alice Nicola) defeated ANU WFC 0
Belconnen United 1 (Michelle Thompson) defeated Canberra FC 0
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
Belwest Foxes 1 1 0 0 12 0 +12 3
Belconnen United 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
Canberra FC 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
ANU WFC 1 0 0 1 0 12 -12 0
POOL B
Woden Valley 3 (Catherine Brown (pen), Ashleigh Palombi, Grace Field) defeated Tuggeranong United 0
Weston Creek 5 (Sarah Crittenden (2), Amanda Aurosseau, Laura Jones, Aleisha Tupper) defeated Brindabella Blues 0
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
Weston Creek 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 3
Woden Valley 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
Tuggeranong United 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
Brindabella Blues 1 0 0 1 0 5 -5 0
Women's Federation Cup Results - Round One
POOL A
Belwest Foxes 12 (Cian Maciejewski (4), Hope Wilkins (3), Snez Veljanovska (2), Georgia Chapman, Lee Dickson, Alice Nicola) defeated ANU WFC 0
Belconnen United 1 (Michelle Thompson) defeated Canberra FC 0
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
Belwest Foxes 1 1 0 0 12 0 +12 3
Belconnen United 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
Canberra FC 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
ANU WFC 1 0 0 1 0 12 -12 0
POOL B
Woden Valley 3 (Catherine Brown (pen), Ashleigh Palombi, Grace Field) defeated Tuggeranong United 0
Weston Creek 5 (Sarah Crittenden (2), Amanda Aurosseau, Laura Jones, Aleisha Tupper) defeated Brindabella Blues 0
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
Weston Creek 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 3
Woden Valley 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3
Tuggeranong United 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0
Brindabella Blues 1 0 0 1 0 5 -5 0
Federation Cup Men - Round One Results
Following results courtesy of Capital Football
Among the games observed by the NPL the standouts were:
POOL A
Canberra Olympic 9 (Yianni Karabalis (3), Dom Giampaolo (2), Oliver Wiederkehr, Scott Barsley, Matt Atkins, Andy Rogers) defeated Monaro Panthers 1 (Goran Veljanovski)
Canberra City 3 (Euan Peterkin, Mishko Naumovski, Fred Hess) defeated ANU FC (PPL) 1 (Ike Moneke)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 Canberra Olympic 1 1 0 0 9 1 +8 3
2 Canberra City 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3
3 ANU FC (PPL) 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
4 Monaro Panthers 1 0 0 1 1 9 -8 0
POOL B
Weston Creek 2 (Russell Allen, Ben Greig) defeated Tuggeranong United 1 (Jay Hawkins)
Canberra FC 2 (John Glass, Victor Yanes) drew with Belconnen United 2 (Michael Reeves, Tai Smith)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 Weston Creek 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
2 Belconnen United 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
3 Canberra FC 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
4 Tuggeranong United 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
POOL C
White Eagles 8 (Petar Josifovski (4), Andrew Menegazzo (3), Dejan Santrac) defeated Woden Valley Rivals 1 (Hugo Mendez)
Goulburn Strikers 2 (Brody Willis, Daniel Aliffi) defeated Cooma Tigers 1 (Hector Alamos)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 White Eagles 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 3
2 Goulburn Strikers 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
3 Cooma Tigers 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 1
4 Woden Valley Rivals 1 0 0 1 1 8 -7 0
POOL D
ACTAS 4 defeated Narrabundah 2 (Ken MacDonald, David Bielecki)
ANU FC 4 (Mohsen Ravanparsa (3), Tom McLachlan) defeated Woden Valley 2 (Lukas Cole (2, 1 pen)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 ACTAS 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2 3
2 ANU FC 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2 3
3 Narrabundah 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
4 Woden Valley 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
Among the games observed by the NPL the standouts were:
- Canberra Olympic's player depth and simmering potential
- ANU's smooth performance and fine example of possession football for substantial parts of their match
- The thrill of the contest between new teams - Cooma Tigers and Goulburn Strikers
POOL A
Canberra Olympic 9 (Yianni Karabalis (3), Dom Giampaolo (2), Oliver Wiederkehr, Scott Barsley, Matt Atkins, Andy Rogers) defeated Monaro Panthers 1 (Goran Veljanovski)
Canberra City 3 (Euan Peterkin, Mishko Naumovski, Fred Hess) defeated ANU FC (PPL) 1 (Ike Moneke)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 Canberra Olympic 1 1 0 0 9 1 +8 3
2 Canberra City 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3
3 ANU FC (PPL) 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
4 Monaro Panthers 1 0 0 1 1 9 -8 0
POOL B
Weston Creek 2 (Russell Allen, Ben Greig) defeated Tuggeranong United 1 (Jay Hawkins)
Canberra FC 2 (John Glass, Victor Yanes) drew with Belconnen United 2 (Michael Reeves, Tai Smith)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 Weston Creek 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
2 Belconnen United 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
3 Canberra FC 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
4 Tuggeranong United 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0
POOL C
White Eagles 8 (Petar Josifovski (4), Andrew Menegazzo (3), Dejan Santrac) defeated Woden Valley Rivals 1 (Hugo Mendez)
Goulburn Strikers 2 (Brody Willis, Daniel Aliffi) defeated Cooma Tigers 1 (Hector Alamos)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 White Eagles 1 1 0 0 8 1 +7 3
2 Goulburn Strikers 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 3
3 Cooma Tigers 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 1
4 Woden Valley Rivals 1 0 0 1 1 8 -7 0
POOL D
ACTAS 4 defeated Narrabundah 2 (Ken MacDonald, David Bielecki)
ANU FC 4 (Mohsen Ravanparsa (3), Tom McLachlan) defeated Woden Valley 2 (Lukas Cole (2, 1 pen)
TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1 ACTAS 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2 3
2 ANU FC 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2 3
3 Narrabundah 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
4 Woden Valley 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
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