MFC SKILLS COACHING PROGRAMME
Technique Training Programme at Midleton FC
Midleton FC have just announced a new technique training programme for under 11-16 players (boys and girls) within the club. The programme will be run as follows:
- A one hour session each week for two groups:
- Group 1: U11, U12, U13
- Group 2: U14, U15, U16.
- Up to three outfield players are nominated from each team. Players currently on League representative squads automatically are selected.
- The coach to player ratio will be no greater than 1:8 to ensure adequate individual coaching.
- All coaches on the programme must have at least Youth Cert qualification. Alternatively, individuals who have played or coached professionally may be brought in for specific technical sessions.
- The programme would be run for an initial period of 10 weeks, beginning February 2010.
- All players must wear club gear for the sessions, making the players feel part of a professional set-up.
- Sessions would be run as follows:
- Initial 10 minutes explaining the technique to be worked on. This would be done before we go on to the pitch. This may include a video clip of match situations where this occurs, as well as maybe a clip from a professional coaching session.
- 10 minute dynamic warm-up.
- 30 minutes working on the technique eg ball control.
- 20 minutes small-sided-game: 4v4 where the technique is used.
Programme Aims:
The aims of the programme are as follows:
- Specialised coaching for focussed players: Provide a co-ordinated coaching programme within the club for those players who are serious about progressing in the game.
- Improve player’s technical skills: The programme will be based on improving individual technique eg ball control, passing, shooting, dribbling, 1v1 skills etc, as well as coaching combination training eg. 2v1, 2v2 attacking and defending situations. It would be based upon Coerver Training (especially for the younger age group), and the FAI Youth Cert and FAI Emerging Talent Programme drills.
- Monitoring of players: Players progress would also be monitored over the years. Their strengths and weaknesses will be analysed, with players being given individual programmes and performance goals. This may also include video analysis of the player from matches.
- Technical quality of future MFC adult teams: Ensure that future adult teams in the club are based on players who have passed through a co-ordinated training programme, and have the basic skills necessary to enable the club compete at a decent level.
- Incentive for club coaches to progress: Provide an incentive for coaches who want to improve themselves by working within a structured coaching programme with focussed players. Coaches will have an incentive to progress to the Youth Cert level, and then use the coaching methods that they have learned. They will also then have the opportunity to work with players other than their own team, thereby taking them out of their comfort zone, and improving them as coaches.
- Profile of the club: Improve the coaching profile of the club, thereby giving incentives to top quality coaches and players from outside to join the club.
It is hoped that the outcome of this programme will be:
- Improved technical competence of focussed players, leading to more players who are comfortable when playing at higher standards.
- A co-ordinated coaching method and player pathway from U11 to adult level.
- Improved standards of coaching.
- Retention of qualified coaches.
