The FA National Football Development Programme

1 The FA National Football Development Programme Independent Schools Football Association ISFA Schools National Football Framework Introduction The following framework sets out the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA). and The Football Association (FA) framework for school boy and girl Football , along with the relevant rules and recommendations, for inter-school competitive and friendly matches from Key Stages 1 to 4. The framework offers a variety of engaging options for all young people. Please note that all independent schools Football competitions must be registered and sanctioned by ISFA. There is no charge for such registration. For further information, please contact: Sean Smith Football Development Officer, ISFA.

2 Donna McIvor National Football Development Manager (Education),The FA. Years 1-4 (Ages 5-9). Recommended Format Further Information And Assistance Fun Football festivals involving large numbers Children at this age should be encouraged to of children are recommended. These festivals participate in the FA Tesco Skills Programme . should incorporate movement skills delivered through a multi-skill approach through fun Teachers wishing to learn more about appropriate Football games. All players should experience multi-skilled games for this age group should all positions, including goalkeeper, through consider the following course: 4v4 and 5v5 games. FA Age Appropriate Coaching Course, 5-11. Mini-Soccer, ideally with teams of not more (one day).

3 Than 5-a-side, is the recommended format at Handling and Movement (half day). this age level. INSET Days for schools, involving instruction for all NB FA Regulations state that there should be Football coaches in an individual school or group of no competitive Football below the age of 8. schools, can be arranged through the ISFA Focus School for each region. ISFA recommends that schools should concentrate on festivals, rather than Rationale competitions, at all age groups up to and Competitions for children of this age level are not including U9. required and are often counter-productive. Games at this age level can be mixed, This is not to say that children at this age should involving both girls and boys.

4 Not be encouraged to be competitive. Indeed, they will naturally play games competitively anyway Schools should contact their local ISFA Focus and do not require competitions - often devised School for details of Football Festivals in their by adults primarily for the benefit and interest area. For further information, please the ISFA of adults for this to be achieved. Competitive Football Development Officer Football at this age can be counter-productive to or visit the ISFA website. the acquisition of skill, with children discouraged by adults from experimenting in favour of playing for the result. Years 5-6 (Ages 9-11). Recommended Format Rationale NB FA Regulations state that children below the Small-sided Football is considered appropriate at age of 10 (Year 5) should not play in games of this age level because: more than 7-a-side.

5 11-a-side is permitted under In small-sided Football : FA regulations at U11 (Year 6) only but this is not the recommended format of the game at this age Every player gets more time on the ball, is level; Year 5 and Year 6 pupils may play together therefore more involved in the action and enjoys but only if the game does not consist of more than the game more 7-a-side. Every player gets more opportunity to defend, ISFA recommends that mini-soccer games of pass, head, dribble and shoot 6v6 or 7v7 be played at this level. Games can be A smaller pitch means there is less pressure to mixed, involving both boys and girls. At U11. play aimless long kicks forward (Year 6) 9v9 at most is considered appropriate. A smaller pitch means there will be lots of shots, Competitions Available lots of goals, lots of saves and lots of fun There are an increasing number of regional small- Basically players will have more touches on the sided tournaments for this age level.

6 Ball and therefore technical Development will be Schools should contact their local ISFA Focus accelerated, in comparison to 11v11, during the vital School for details of Football Festivals and years of Development Tournaments in their area. For further information, In 11-a-side Football : please contact the ISFA Football Development Officer or visit the ISFA website. The games are invariably dominated by the biggest and strongest players rather than the Further Information And Assistance more technically gifted players Children at this age should be encouraged to Players are 'pigeon holed' to play in a particular participate in the FA Tesco Skills Programme position from an early age; therefore individual Development does not occur at the desired rate ISFA recommends that teachers wishing to learn Some players can go for long periods of the game more about appropriate multi-skilled games for this without touching the ball at all.

7 Age group should consider the following courses: School Matches: FA Age Appropriate Coaching Introductory The FA and ISFA recommend Festivals where 2. Module (one day). or more schools can field as many small-sided Working with Teams (one day) teams as they wish, playing a series of matches on a friendly basis. There should not be too More advanced coaches may wish to attend the much importance placed on results, which are following courses: invariably of more interest to the adults than FA Youth Award Module 1 (32 hours) the children. Children of this age are naturally competitive anyway and will play accordingly. 1st4sport Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football (30 hours) Whenever possible, schools are encouraged to field more than one team in order to increase the FA Handling and Movement module (1/2 day).

8 Number of children involved. INSET Days for schools, involving instruction for all Football coaches in an individual school or group of schools, can be arranged through ISFA. Focus Schools Years 7-9 (Ages 11-14). Recommended Format Competition Available - Girls FA Regulations state that mixed Football is not ISFAG National Six-a-Side Tournament (U13). permitted at 11+ (ie Year 7 and above). All matches must be boys only or girls only Elite Player Development Programme - Boys The recommended formats of the game for this U13 Regional ISFA Representative Teams for age group are: outstanding players are selected in regions around 6v6 or 7v7 the country 9v9 The ISFA U13 Regional Festival takes place at the end of March each year, following which a National 11v11 Development Squad is selected.

9 Futsal (indoor 5-a-side). Further Information And Assistance 9v9 Football is particularly recommended at U12. level to assist in the gradual transition from mini- ISFA recommends that teachers coaching school soccer to 11v11. teams at this age level should have attended the following the following courses: The FA Recommendation for Girls Football is that they should play 7v7 at U12 level and 9v9 at U13 FA Age Appropriate Coaching Introductory and U14 levels. Module (one day). Working with Teams (one day). Competitions Available - Boys More advanced coaches may wish to attend the National Competitions: following courses: Rensburg Sheppards ISFA U13 Cup FA Youth Award Module 1 (32 hours). IAPS Six-a-Side Tournament (IAPS schools only) 1st4sport Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football Individual regions are encouraged to organise local (30 hours).

10 Small-sided and/or 11-a-side tournaments and also Handling and Movement (half day). Futsal tournaments. Under FA regulations, these tournaments must be registered with ISFA. (no charge). Years 10-11 (Ages 14-16). Recommended Format Further Information And Assistance FA Regulations state that all matches must be boys ISFA recommends that teachers coaching school only or girls only teams at this age level should have attended at least one of the following courses: The recommended formats of the game for this age group are: Working with Teams (1 day). 6v6 or 7v7 1st4sport Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football (30 hours). 11v11. More advanced coaches may wish to attend the Futsal (indoor 5-a-side). following course: Competitions Available - Boys 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football National Competition: (72 hours).