Creating good foundations can be a slow process. Regardless of how slow that process can be, there can be no shortcuts when building foundations. The ‘pyramid’ terminology was used in our coaches room last week and the analogy has been stuck in my mind ever since.
Footballing ability is built on a number of fronts when it comes to technique and physical competency or coordination. If we consider the first two blocks of the FFA Training Building Blocks – discovery phase and skill acquisition – as being the base of a player’s foundations for their football career, then we need to realise that shortcuts can’t be taken. All players who start at an early age have discovered the game with their friends and team mates but how often have they actually been allowed to just play and explore the game? Those players who were able to just have fun and test their own abilities are now more capable of tackling the second phase of the football learning process.
The four core skills of striking the ball, first touch, 1v1 and running with the ball that are learned and developed during the skill acquisition phase should be seen as the cornerstones of the player’s foundation. These skills are used to solve every footballing problem, even when the ball is not in the player’s possession. If the four core skills are the cornerstones, then physical competency mixed with experiences from the discovery phase would be the binding blocks and mortar between each cornerstone. Without the ability to run, jump, change direction and push yourself back up off the ground, you’re not able to run around a field chasing a ball effectively enough to outplay others off the park.
The FFA guidelines indicate that skill acquisition is aimed at the age band of 9-13. The skills learned during this phase are developed and improved throughout the player’s career, as they mature they fine tune and tweak these skills further in order to find different solutions. With this in mind, players, parents and coaches should remember that small sided games and sessions which focus on the individual core skills, need to be addressed often. Players who were taught to just kick the ball but rarely taught to run with the ball, need to understand why some sessions take the time to address the skills that weren’t addressed previously.
Foundations can be repaired or topped up early in the development phase but as the performance phase approaches, the middle and top of the pyramid need to take shape. Just imagine a small base that had little emphasis on the cornerstones – if you want to aim high then be prepared to apply as much effort to the cornerstones to carry you through the challenges of top flight football. Add extra effort to building your physical competencies so your body can jump, run and bounce its way through a highly competitive and physically demanding sport.
Just like any building that has poor foundations, cracks will start to show in later years when the stresses of high performance ask a lot of you. Be patient and take the time to get the foundations right. Take the time to work on the foundation that needs to be strengthened. This could determine how many years you get to enjoy the game you love to play!!!
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