After all, team tasks and player tasks may differ depending on the playing formation. To be able to properly develop the team tasks and the individual player tasks we need the context of a playing formation. In the Game Training Phase the ‘theme’ of a session focuses on one of the ‘Main Moments’ and the Team Tasks (as well as the individual player tasks) within that ‘Main Moment’. Similar to the sessions of the Skill Acquisition Phase, the sessions of the Game Training Phase are also ‘themes based’. We consider 3 sessions of 75-90 minutes and one game a maximum safe weekly work load, with the following session planning guidelines: As a consequence, in Game Training Phase sessions often all three Main Moments take place continuously, but the focus is on one of them. The Game Training Phase sessions should strive for game realistic scenarios, the practices must include game specific resistances such as opponents, team-mates, direction, rules and appropriate dimensions. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TRAINING SESSIONS WITH YOUTH THIS AGE?
Improve their technique (passing and first touch are essential technical skills).Increase their handling speed (less space and time forces quicker thinking and acting).Improve their decision-making (by learning to choose the right option).Learn to always create at least 3 options for the player on the ball (through proper positioning).These basic principles form the foundation for proactive possessionīased football and this explains the importance of the positioning games Anticipation and communication (verbal and non-verbal).Support play to create options for the player on the ball.Triangles (no players in straight lines).Maximal use of space in order to create more time on the ball (stretching the opponent).The main conditions for quality positioning play are: If possible ‘theme related’ including a level of decision-making avoid warm-ups that are more like conditioning sessions!.Game Training Phase sessions consist of 4 components: Warm up, Positioning Game, Game Training, Training Game. The most important aspect of this age bracket is the fact that these players are in (or entering into) the puberty phase which is a phase of radical mental and physical changes. It goes without saying that it’s of the ultimate importance that coaches working with players this age have knowledge and understanding of these aspects to be able to guide youngsters through this critical development phase in a well-considered way. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUTH IN THIS AGE BRACKET? Develop tactical awareness, perception and decision-making through a game-related approach to training.Prepare players for senior football by teaching them to apply functional game skills in a team setting using 1-4-3-3 as the preferred formation.The Game Training Phase has two main objectives: The Game Training Phase ABOUT THE GAME TRAINING PHASE