Test course of the Arrow-head Agility Test

29
Test course of the Creative Speed Test

30
Test course of the Short Dribbling Test

31
 The 1-4-3-3 System as the starting formation for Future Development
Rationale
In the 1-4-3-3 formation there are 3 lines with a balanced spread of players over the pitch (‘triangles’ of
players) which creates good conditions for:
• effective positioning play
• playing out
• combination football / short passing game
• creative and varied attacking play using the width of the field
• early disturbing and pressuring after losing possession

For youth players, the positions and the attached basic tasks are logical and recognizable, which makes
learning to play as a team easier to develop SSG formats 7 v 7 (1-3-3) and 9 v 9 (1-3-2-3) lead up to the 1-4-
3- 3 formation in a logical and methodical manner

Basic forms
The 1-4-3-3 formation has 2 basic forms, with a number of derived (offensive or defensive) variations:

1. The midfield triangle with the ‘point’ (no.10) forward.

32
 2. The midfield triangle with the ‘point’ (no.6) to the rear.

AIFF advises that players in the age categories U/12 to U/15 should learn to master basic form 1.

U/16 to U/19 should also learn to master basic form 2.

General defensive principles

1. Direct transition of all players (no time to ‘mourn’)
2. Restore formation (no mixing of the lines)
3. Make team compact: short distances between lines and players
4. Zone defending: everyone responsible for own zone
5. Pressurized defending by the whole team, forcing the opponent to play wide or back or lose the
ball
6. Players to always coach the players in front of them (help your team mate).

Defensive principles per line

Defenders & Goalkeeper (1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)

Always maintain the structure / organisation of the defence line and keep opponent
away from own goal (communication).

33
Everyone responsible for own zone so:

1. Horizontal take over: Pass players on in case of switching opponents (width of pitch).

34
2. Vertical take over: Pass players on in case of overlapping opponents (length of pitch).

Cover each other (diagonal covering), full backs to squeeze until maximum 5m. area; goalkeeper to act as
‘sweeper’ if required.
Sharpness, mobility and insight (positioning / timing) are absolute requirements for modern central defenders
(Vidic, Terry).
Modern full backs need to be fast, explosive and mobile rather than just big and strong
(Cole, Evra)

35
Defensive principles per line
Midfield (6 – 8 – 10) pointed forward: No’s 6 & 8
Cover the central and lateral defensive midfield area’s and screen / shield the lines to the strikers.
Take over positions, ‘fill’ gaps and stay ‘behind the ball’ (at least one of both).
Ball ‘winners’ with strong tactical awareness /insight (Carrick, Essien).
No. 10 connects with no.6 & no.8 to form a ‘block’ in the midfield.
Covers the central offensive midfield area
Supports no.9 in pressuring the opponent’s central defenders (Cahill, Kaka).

36
Defensive principles per line
Midfield pointed to the rear: No. 6 covers the central defensive midfield area, screens / shields the line to the
strikers.
Takes over positions, ‘fill’ gaps and always stays ‘behind the ball’.
Ball ‘winner’ with strong tactical awareness / insight, on field leadership (Toure, Mascherano)
No’s 8 & 10 connect with no.6 to form a ‘block’ in the midfield, cover the lateral midfield areas.
Technical and tactical ‘all round’ midfielders that are able to cover large spaces
(Gerrard, Lampard, Ballack, Xavi, Iniesta)

Defensive principles per line

Attackers (7-9-11)
Immediate transitioning from BP to BPO (especially important for attackers!).
‘Connect’ to the midfield ASAP
Work together as a ‘unit’ (communication!)
Squeeze and delay opponents playing out in a 3 v 4 situation while ‘leading’ them to a flank.
Start pressuring collectively on the signal from (one of) the designated axis player(s).
Prevent opponent from playing a forward pass where possible, otherwise always force
opponent to give the forward pass under pressure.
Prevent defenders from moving into the midfield.
Take over each other’s positions / tasks if necessary

37
38
General offensive principles
- Immediate and quick transition BPO to BP by all players, open up the spaces and
restore attacking formation.
- Always look for a forward pass as first option, if not possible:
- Play out through good positioning play with dynamic participation of all players
- Ball possession is of vital importance in order to control the rhythm / speed of the
game and ‘feed’ the attackers in a structured manner
- Starting from wide positions for improvisation and individual actions in the attacking third.
- Recognizing the value of set-piece specialists.

Offensive principles per line

The defenders:
Playing out is a means to an end! The purpose is to go forward while keeping possession!
This requires dynamic participation of all players, good positioning play and fast and
precise passing:
1. Create the right moment for the forward pass or:
2. Have a defender move into midfield to create an ‘extra player’ in the midfield.
The goalkeeper must be the 11th outfield player while playing out! (fast change of
direction; recognizing the right moment to play the forward pass; etc.).
If the opponent uses a formation with 2 strikers the emphasis is placed on building up
through the full backs (central defenders to create space).
If the opponent plays with 3 strikers the emphasis is on building up through central
defenders (full backs to create space).

39
40
Offensive principles per line

Midfield pointed forward: No’s. 6 & 8:

- ‘transfer’ playing out to attacking
- feed and support the attacking ‘unit’
- good game (passing) skills, vision and handling
- speed are required.

No.10 (key player in this formation):

- attacking midfielder (not a traditional ‘playmaker’)
- good ‘interaction’ with the strikers (especially with no. 9)
- penetrate in front line and look for scoring chances
- good anticipation/feeling for right moment
- good tactical insight, technique and handling speed (Kaka, Cahill, Bergkamp)

In this formation no’s. 7 & 11 are more traditional ‘wingers’ making attacking moves in the wide positions
and providing assists and crosses.

They can come inside but needs to be well timed, not ‘closing’ the spaces for no.10.
(Robben, Giggs, Beckham)

Offensive principles per line

Midfield pointed to the rear:

No. 6 is the ‘controlling’ midfielder. He/she always

has to stay ‘behind the ball’ and take over the
positions of the players that go forward.

No.6 also holds a key role in playing out and is a player

with strong game (passing) skills and vision. (Essien,
Mascherano, Toure, Carrick)

No’s 8 & 10 ‘feed’ and support the strikers. They have

strong individual skills, vision and handling speed.
They provide the assists for the strikers and have goal
scoring abilities. These are the ‘complete’ midfielders.
(Lampard, Gerrard, Xavi, Iniesta.).

In this formation no’s. 7 & 11 are ‘multi functional’

attackers making attacking moves to the inside (and
outside) starting from wide positions.

41
The 3 attackers often switch positions but the formation should always be maintained.
(Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, Henry)

Offensive principles per line

The attackers (7 – 9 – 11)
Wing attackers No’s. 7 & 11:
- starting from wide positions going outside and inside
- are creative and pro active (with the ball and running off the ball)
- provide assists, crosses and have goal scoring ability (Messi, C.Ronaldo, Rooney, Kewell)
Central striker No. 9:
- strong in receiving and holding the ball with his / her back to the goal
- strong in attacking combinations
- goal scorer (Drogba, Torres, Adebayor, Viduka)
Collective important aspects in the attacking third:
- Fast / direct combinations (wall-pass; no look pass; 3rd man; etc.)
- Individual attacking qualities and ability to improvise
- Effective positioning in front of goal

42
43
SMALL SIDED GAMES

“A directional game-practice situation involving goalkeepers, playing in teams less than eleven a side. It can
be utilised for the coach to work technically or tactically and is ideal for developing the principles of play
and team understanding. Working areas are adapted to suit the reduced numbers of players and official game
rules are applied although some may be modified. The coach will usually work with one team and on one
theme”
- Two teams of equal numbers (8v8, 9v9)
- Pitch appropriate size
- Specific aspect
- Offside areas
- Start position
- Players react realistically
- Coach one team only (when size of teams exceeds 6 v 6)

Functional Practice
- Opposed practice
- Specific aspect
- All relevant players involved
- Relevant area of pitch
- Start position
- Appropriate targets
- Players react realistically

Phase of Play

A situation utilising the full width of the pitch but with a reduced length. Involves team units of players
attacking or defending against opponents and is ideal for developing group, unit and team tactical
understanding.
- Opposed practice
- Specific aspect
- Full width / over half length
- Two full units v two full units ( for example DF + MF V MF + FWD )
- Limited players from third unit as required
- Appropriate targets
- Start position
- Players react realistically

44
Technical Practice

Unopposed practice with the emphasis on the development of a game technique. Challenges in the
development of the technique may be gradually introduced and will be in the form of increased or decreased
time, area, target or degree of difficulty in practice depending on the rate of improvement in the player
performance.

Example: combination wing play, ending with crosses into box for forwards to score.

45
Skill Practice

Opposed practice with the emphasis on developing the bond of technique and decision making. The practice
contains objectives for all players which are derived from the technical theme being practiced. Appropriate
areas, the number of players involved and imposed “conditions” will vary around the theme for development.

Example: Combination wing play, Ending with crosses into box for forwards to score but now the players
have to decide:
-When to cross the ball?,
-Where to cross the ball (near or far post)?,
-On the ground or in the air?,
All depending on the position of the opposing players and the positioning of his team mates.

Squad Practice

A directional game-type practice situation in which the playing area may be appropriately divided or zoned to
suit the numbers and the needs of the activity. Goals or targets of some design are employed to signify the
successful end of attacks and squad practices can be used for the development of either individual, group or
unit technical or tactical elements of the game.

Eleven A Side Practice

The final progression in practice. Is utilised to develop team tactical understanding and takes place on a full
sized pitch with game rules applied. Practice seeks to establish understanding of player’s role and responsibility
and tactical understanding of group and team in attacking or defending situations and is often best employed
when work is conducted in the different thirds of the pitch. The coach usually works with only one team
around one theme.

Example: working on playing out from the GK.

Starting from the GK, getting the defenders to open up to make it hard for the opposing team to stop the
defenders from playing out. Positioning and body positions of your defenders. Awareness and vision of
GK.

Positioning of midfielders: position themselves to be in a position to receive ball direct from GK or from
defenders.

Positioning of forwards, depending on whether it is a goal kick (which side of the field the goal kick is
being taken?; or if the GK has the ball in his hands?

46
 Personal Development Plan (PDP)

Last name:…………………………………………………………………….……….……….
Given names:………………………………………………………………….….…….………
Born……/……/………………at …………………………………...………..….…….………
School:……………………………….Grade:………………………………....…....….……...
ACADEMY:…………………………………….…...Since:………………………………….
Present team:………………………… ……….Former teams:………………………..….……
Favorite position(s) in the team:……………………………………………………….……..…
………………………………………………………………………………..…………...…...

How do you rank yourself comparing to the other selected players:

- I am one of the best ( )

- I am an important player ( )
- I am a useful player ( )
- I must try to become a more important player ( )
- I am not an important player ( )
- I am not a good player at all ( )

What is your goal for the future:

- I want to become a National Team Player ( )

- I want to be selected for the National Youth Teams ( )
- I want to sign a contract with a (top) club abroad ( )
- I want to play in the I-league ( )
- I want to play in the National Youth League ( )
- I have no goals – I have no ambition at all ( )

What do you want to improve in the coming season to reach your goal(s)
Technically:

- I want to develop my general skills and ball feeling ( )

- I want to develop my overall technique ( )
- I want to handle the ball much quicker ( )
- I must defend better ( )
- I want to become a better attacking player ( )
- My built-up from the back must be much better ( )
- I must become a better passer of the ball ( )
- My crosses must be better ( )
- I must become a better finisher ( )

47
Tactically:

- I want to be overall a better tactical player ( )

- My transition must be better ( )
- I must read the game better ( )
- I want to make better decisions ( ) and quicker decisions ( )
- My attacking game must be better ( )
- My defensive game must be better ( )
- My transition must be better ( )
- I want to show a better insight of the game ( )

Physical:

- I want to get more endurance

- In my Shuttle Run Test I score: ……………………………………….
- In other tests my score is:……………………………………………..
- I want to have more speed
- In my speed test I score: ………………………………………………
- My coordination must be better ( )
- My power must be better ( )
- My general strength and conditioning must be better ( )
- My endurance is good ( )
- My speed is good ( )
- My coordination is good ( )
- My overall fitness is good ( )

Mental:

- I must get mentally stronger ( )

- I must show more confidence ( )
- I must show courage, have no fear ( )
- I have a lot of self confidence ( )
- I see myself as one of the best players ( )
- I can play the role of team captain ( )
- I can concentrate easily for 90 minutes ( )
- I do not need a coach to motivate me ( )
- I am a “team player” ( )
- I am an individualist ( )
- I accept the role of the coach ( )
- I can reach my goals without a coach or the help of the coaching staff ( )

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This year/this month/this week; I will work on:
………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………........………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
.......…………………………………………………………………………

Technically:………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………….........……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………........………………………………………………

Tactically:…………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………...........……………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………

Physically:…………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…….…………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………….

Mental:……………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………..……………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
....…………………………………………………………………………….

Individual Game Evaluation

Mention a scale from 1 (very bad) to 10 (exceptional)

1. How did you perform in this game: ……….............……...….
2. What was your influence on the final result: …………...…….
explain:…………………………………………………...........
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………….
3. Was this result a good lesson for future development:….........................
explain:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………..….....……………………........
…………………………………………….....………..............................
4. Did you achieve your goal(s)…………………..….……………...........
5. Were you motivated enough for this match:…..…..……........................

49
6. Give your feeling and thoughts of this match by drawing a (x) :

- Very much motivated and good attitude towards this match ( )

- No motivation and no attitude ( )
- Was very focused ( ) with a lot of energy ( )
- Not focused at all ( ) and no energy ( )
- No fear ( ) no worries ( )
- Much fear ( ) many worries ( )
- Kept full control over the game ( )
- Had no control at all over the game ( )
- Was relaxed and calm ( )
- Was stressed and nervous ( )
- Focused completely on my role and tasks ( )
- Was not focused at all on my role and tasks ( )
- Gave everything I had ( )
- Did not spend much energy and had enough energy left ( )
- Took a lot of risks to get the result ( )
- Did not want to take any risks ( )
- Went to the bottom ( )
- Took it very easy ( )
- Had a lot of confidence in my technical/tactical preparation ( )
- Had no confidence at all in my technical/tactical preparation ( )
- Had a lot of confidence in my physical preparation ( )
- Had no confidence at all in my physical preparation ( )
- Had a lot of confidence in my mental preparation ( )
- Had no confidence at all in my mental preparation ( )
- Trusted my qualities ( )
- Did not trust my qualities at all ( )

How did you prepare yourself?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What did you think just before the match started?

.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

What were you focussing on when you played well during the match ?
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

50
What were you focusing on when you did not play well ?
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

How did you get your confidence back after this “dip”?
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

Did anything happen before, during or at half time of the match that has influenced your performance positively
/negatively?
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

What did you learn from this match?

.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

What steps do you want to take to make progression?

.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

Any personal suggestions?

.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................

India,……………….…………….,

---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Player Coach

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 Analysis Pad Session Planner
COACH……………………………………
DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICE
..............................................
..…………………......................
…………………………………………….…
……….............................................
ORGANIZATION:……………….………
………………………………………………
……………………..........................……
K E Y O B S E RVAT I O N FA C T O R S :
1. ...........……………………………………
2. ……………………………………………
3. ……………………………………………
4. ..………………………………………….
NOTES: ……………………………………
………………………………………………
………….........................................................
.........................................................................
.........................................................................
..............................................………………
………………………………………….........
.........................................................................
.........................................................................
..............................................................................................……………………………………………………
……......................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................…………………………………………………………...
..............................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................………………………………..…………………………............
..............................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................…………………..…........................…………………..…...................
.....……….........…………………..…........................……….........…………………..…........................……
….........…………………..…........................……….........…………………..…........................……….........
…………………..…........................……….........…………………..…..

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MATCH RELATED

What does the AIFF mean with the word: match related?
Before explaining we want to emphasize on the present curriculum and what is going on in the rest of the world.
Let us start with our mobile phones, black berries and I-pads. If you buy a new phone you will find one year later
that the phone is ‘old fashioned’. The latest example was the launch of the I-pad. People in America who wanted
to be the first to have this high tech machine had to queue up three days before it was sold to the customers.
Already 8 months later there is new model: faster, quicker, lighter and with more options.

Barcelona showed us in football the latest developments, faster, quicker, with better decision makers. They
looked as a team who came from another planet. Recently they were beaten in their own La Liga by Real Madrid
and also in the Champions League by a 10 man Chelsea team.

This is only possible through a constant development of the game. First of all technically and tactically, but also
physically and mentally. Coaches play the main role in these developments, but are influenced by the
development in the whole environment. Now a days we can analyze the game with 16 cameras during training
and matches. Even at half time clubs can show their players what was wrong and what has to be done in the
second half to win their game.

That brings us to the present development in India. Although there are many exceptions but in general I have
observed (after 6 months) the following ‘weaknesses’ in Indian Football players
• Lack of technique
• Lack of tactical insight and decision making
• Lack of physical fitness
• Mentally not prepared

All caused by:

• Lack of youth development

- No Grassroots plan
- No junior football plan
- No competition structure
- Not enough qualified coaches
- Coaching courses out-dated
- No facilities
- No infrastructure
• I-league dominated by foreign players
• I-league not producing enough quality matches
• I-league does not get enough media attention
• I-league clubs do not offer a pathway for talented players

All of this is a result of:

- No strategic plan for the I-league (not interesting enough for media and supporters)
- No or not enough quality facilities for the clubs (no club has its own ‘home’ ground)
- No club structure and no club ‘culture’

53
The solutions are mentioned in the upcoming Master Plan. But in the short term we want to start with the most
important partner in development:

The coaches.

A new philosophy and a new curriculum must show them the road to raise the overall standard of Indian
Football. A specific Indian Style of play must help to develop more quality players. A style based on the variety
of cultures in India should be with a focus on : TDFM

Technique

Decision making

Fitness

Mentality

The Introduction course also named as D-course will focus on TDFM:

Technique can only be developed with the ball. Worldwide the ruling law tells us that a player needs 10.000
hours of training to develop to an elite player.
The average training hours spent by an Indian soccer talent is 3 to 4 hours a week and 10-20 matches per season.
In Europe or South America young talents spend 8-12 hours on training and have at least one match per week
and 40-60 per season.

To close that gap we have identified the following solutions:

- Refresher courses for all licensed coaches of all levels in 2012

- All AIFF instructors will be introduced to the new philosophy in 2012
- After the instructors have become familiar with the new ideas the planned coaching courses will be
announced on the AIFF website
- A new curriculum for all AIFF courses to be introduced and implemented in 2013.
- All academies will work with a newly developed ‘handbook’ where the focus will be the
development of technically high level developed players
- A certification of existing private or commercial academies will be introduced in 2012/2013
- A new website will be launched to communicate all development programs.
It will also contain all technical information to help develop football in India (also on Facebook + Twitter)

What is the essence of “MATCH - RELATED” ?

A match consists of the following elements:

- Opponents
- Time and space
- Scoring goals or defending goals
- Winning or losing
- Ball possession – losing possession – gaining possession
- Transition

54
It also has the following elements :

- Different age groups

- Men or women
- Different ball sizes
- Different sizes of fields
- Different sizes of goals
- Different rules and regulations
- Referees and lines men

So every training session must have all these elements otherwise you do not train the whole picture. The whole
picture will prepare the players for ‘total soccer’. All players will be prepared in attacking-transition and
defending. They can take over each other’s position and play the required role for that particular place in the
team formation.

The preferred formation of all our teams will be: 1 - 4 - 3 - 3

and the system will be based on the quality of our players who must become skillful and intelligent.
All of our teams must learn how to build up from the back. The role of the goal-keeper is no longer to catch and
kick.......and give the ball away. The role of the goal-keeper is nowadays much more complex. He is the first to
start the attacking game. If he already makes the right decision we can build up the game quickly and surprise the
opponent or outplay the opponent by our positioning game. All defenders must have the technique to handle the
ball quickly (‘first touch’). They must be very good in short passing and long passing, as well as dribbling into
the midfield. Even by surprise, come into attack and shoot and possibly score from a distance, or put the strikers
into scoring positions. Midfielders will (all three) have different qualities but their qualities are supplementary
to each other. The (two) wingers and the striker must also be working as a unit and have the variety of qualities to
beat the opponent’s defense.

To get the best possible result out of our training sessions and matches we want to take the following steps :

1. All warm ups should be performed with the ball. Dribbling, passing and receiving, combination play, heading
should be practised. In between ‘juggling’ with the ball can bring a relative rest period. Fun games must bring
the players in the right ‘mood’. A warm up without a fun game is not acceptable.

All warm ups must be related to the upcoming exercises and objectives of the training session.

2. Static stretching is a waste of time and needs to be replaced by dynamic stretching only. Dynamic stretching
can be used with the ball or in between ball exercises and should only be used to prepare the muscles for training
or match. Players under 12 should not waste time on stretching, but should use this precious time with juggling
or ball mastering.

3. All exercises must be practised

- with ball
- with one or more defenders.
- with goals. Small goals can be used, but match size goals with goal keepers should always be part
of the training.
- with different field sizes

4. The principle of a methodical approach is: how to create a step forward and make the exercise complete or
what we now call: match- related.

55
The tools to be used are:

- Organization > small field, big field/normal goals-small goals/etc.

- Rules and regulations > play with one or more ‘neutral’ players;
dribble across a line to score; score direct etc.

- Defence > full defence or half defence

- Tempo > number of touches on the ball; score within a limited time

Because of the enormous gap between match experience for soccer players in India comparing to young players
in Japan, Korea, Australia, Europe or South America we must give our young players ‘match’ experience during
training. Most of our training time should be spent on matches. We must accept that our players need to develop
first of all “match related” techniques. The famous Wiel Coerver techniques are a very welcome development
tool, but we need to put our players immediately into situations where they have to find solutions to beat the
opponent by themselves.

New coaches:

Fathers or mothers who are requested to assist their sons and daughters and their friends to ’coach’ the players
should immediately try to find out on the AIFF website when and where new introductory courses are being
organized in their neighborhood. If there are no courses available or parents do not have the time to go to a
course, our advice is that they concentrate on how they can get the kids enough match experience.

They should try to learn from other coaches, websites or books how to organize Small Sided Games and how to
operate as a ‘Team Leader”. This will give all the young players an ideal development tool.

Decision making is all about recognizing game situations. That’s why Grassroots players need to play Small
Side Games. SSG gives the young kids plenty of touches, plenty of scoring situations, plenty of goals and plenty
of fun. Street or beach soccer has always been the producer of top talents. No coaches were available at the
parks, the streets or the beaches. There, the players developed into rough talents and later top coaches developed
them into top players.

The AIFF promotes the following guidelines for the various age groups:

Players 4 and 5 years old 4 v 4 with pop-up goals field size 30 x 40m goal
size 1m x 1m

Players 6 and 7 years old 4 v 4 with small size goals and rotating goal
keepers field size 30 x 40m goal size 2m x 1m

Players 8 and 9 years old 6 v 6 with small size goals and 2 goal keepers
field size ½ normal play field goals on side line
goal size 1.50m x 2.50m

56
Players 10 and 11 years old 8 v 8 with small size goals and 2 goal keepers
field size 18 yard line to 18 yard line and
normal size goals

Players 12 years and older play 11 v 11 with FIFA rules.

Fitness is the base for any sport to produce results. Soccer fitness requires different capabilities than basketball
fitness or cricket fitness. Each sport has its own specific needs. A swimmer needs a swimming pool to gain his
fitness, a soccer player needs a field to achieve the desired level of fitness.

Also in fitness the Indian player should be developed in a match related manner. Small side games are an ideal
base to develop fitness and at the same time all relevant factors that make him not only run faster but also decide
faster, act faster and react faster.

All technically developed skills can be used as start point for fitness training. Man to man marking, 1 v 1 , 2 v 2
are very intense exercises which not only demands speed, endurance and coordination but also power and
mental strength.

Mentality of a player is the overall deciding factor. Without a good mentality, a player will never be successful
and hence the team will never be successful. Why is it most talents in soccer, come from the poor and
unprivileged section of the society?

The major reason is that young kids coming from this section of society have learnt how to survive. It is the rule
of the survivor. It is applicable to every body whether it is me or you.

This proves again that training the mentality of the young players must be through trying to copy ‘street football’
How to make your players street wise? By playing Small Sided Games, participating in international
tournaments, festivals, going through selection procedures and by finally ending by playing

The best against the best will prepare our talents for international football and national and international
successes.

Acknowledgments

FIFA
Football Federation of Australia: (1-4-3-3)
Jens Bangsbo

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