Everyone wants to win. At IFS this is a given, and doesn't need to be highlighted to players when playing a game. Rather than winning or losing, what is focused on in the youth development environment, is executing the playing style - each player fulfilling a role within the team, with specific … [Read more...] about Did you execute the Playing Style?
Forget the Powerade.
Towards the end of last year I spoke about what to use to refill your body when playing football. As we have many new players and parents, and having observed a number of games and the half-time drinks parents are providing, I find it is important to communicate this information again. The human … [Read more...] about Forget the Powerade.
Let’s Paint The World Blue
Julie recently wrote a blog on the house system we have introduced at IFS this year. I agree that the house system has stood the test of time and is a great way to create a sense of belonging amongst children at college. To be open, I was fairly uncomfortable when the announcement was made that a … [Read more...] about Let’s Paint The World Blue
The Difference Between Respect and Obedience
As a parent, I want my child to be both respectful and obedient, whether he is with me or away from me. He is by no means the perfect child, far from it, but he knows that when he is away from us, he is representing our family. It's a big responsibility for a seven year old, but he is used to us … [Read more...] about The Difference Between Respect and Obedience
Puberty Blues
At home, whenever I begin to reminisce about my childhood, my thirteen year-old stepdaughter pipes up, “Yeah, but that was back in the old days,” and of course, she’s right. When I was a child there were no mobile phones, no computers, no Xbox, no electronic games, no iPads, no internet, no … [Read more...] about Puberty Blues
What is Quality Teaching?
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about quality teaching? Is it skills in reading and writing? Is it teaching our students that the teacher is the ‘dominate leader’ and students are to follow direct instructions? Or is quality teaching associated with equipping students with … [Read more...] about What is Quality Teaching?
Without supporters, we are but one
http://youtu.be/ZzDB70d9AUU I read with interest Andre's comments from the Broadmeadow Magic tournament last week, especially his remarks about our supporters. There is no doubt that supporters come in all sizes and descriptions - your mother/father, the football fan, a protester. They all follow … [Read more...] about Without supporters, we are but one
Self Controlled Players
My own personal objective working at the IFS is to teach, learn from and promote skilled learners and students to their maximum potential. There is a vast difference between an expert footballer and a beginner footballer. That same difference in the level of expertise can be the reason coaches … [Read more...] about Self Controlled Players
All is in Order
Thank you once again to the courageous individuals, Dylan and Nathanael, for having a go at the last question. Nathanael’s solution was correct as follows: (2+3 × 5-3) ÷(6+1)=2 To solve this question, knowledge of order of operation was required. Order of operation requires operations to be … [Read more...] about All is in Order