What you should know and do coach

FOOTBALL PLAYERS UP TO 10-12 YEARS

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN	WHAT SHOULD THE COACH DO?
1. the potential of children and girls up to age 10, is more similar than different.	1 leave the children and girls train and compete together, since both benefit from it.
2. children of this evolutionary phase are highly motivated and enthusiastic, and they love to be active all the time.	2 maintaining motivation through a variety of exercises and games. Avoid queues and exercises in which the child is static long. Listen to what they say children during practices.
3. they are usually self-centered and likes to have the ball the maximum time possible. Worry about yourself to others.	3 have enough balls and organize competitions, to take advantage of his egocentric behavior. Propose fair play.
4. still lack a good technique and a good level of coordinative ability. Frequently, they do not understand their task both in attack and in defence.	4 allow so much time to learning the techniques to understand what to do and when.
5 everybody loves scoring goals. You have skills in shot on goal motivates them and gives them confidence.	5 you must practice frequently games simplified 2 x 2 and 3 x 3, as well as mini soccer to all children often touch the ball and mark goals.
6. your attention span is very limited, they are not trained to assimilate much information.	6 Insert multipurpose or multilateral soccer practice games. Not to mention much, is better to show.
7. only are beginning to learn r, how to cooperate with others (team play).	7. Select games in which cooperation is indispensable to win (mini soccer).
8. they have no very clear the ideal model of game or a technical gesture.	8 demonstrate repeatedly how to do so and present models appropriate for their age.
9. they are very sensitive to criticism.	9 it must always be positive, praising the effort and the progress of the children.
10 they are very tolerant to changes in temperature.	10. make their dress is adequate and that there is enough time to regain lost fluid.

COMPARISON BETWEEN YOUNG SOCCER AND ADULT SOCCER

GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL	ADULT SOCCER
Objective: Training of young footballers	Objective: Performance (result)
It is a recreational and sport activity	It is a sport
It is through teaching sessions	It is through the training sessions
With the presence of an educator	Directed with the presence of a trainer
It is taught through played forms, that induce to progress.	Is taught through analytical forms, they induce an increase in performance
Structures adapted to the age of the young (ball, goals, dimensions and number of players)	Unique and standardized structure

Physical preparation

Physical preparation considered to be one of the most important determining factors in the stages of formation of the athlete. It is one of the aspects to keep in mind in the development of football players. For this reason, López Bedoya, en Blázquez, 1995 considers early physical training as the process of developing the basic athletic motor skills of child. In correspondence with her psycho-biological development and during her sensitive phases.

An ideal level of physical condition will ensure all levels of development:

• Enhanced learning, assimilation and  technical improvement will endorse the safety of the     player in terms of their actions and confidence.      
• Efficacy in technical solutions.
• Capacity to impose technical and tactical decisions.
• Psychological and physical exercise tolerance.

Physical activity at recreational levels is an essential element for general sports preparation, where specificity isn´t required till an advanced level of performance. The physical activity preparation in the recreational phase requires an educational approach besides the scope of the group (federated teams, recreational preparation and physical activity lesson).

Partido 4 porterías invertidas

Number players: 12 - 14 - 16-18.

Dimensions: ¼ or ½ field.

Purpose: Defend and different attack positions, move the equipment to areas far from their own goal keeping good balance, counterattack and surveillance.

Influence: Save good distances on attack moves, move the ball fast defensive movements of support in the game, folds, etc.

Duration: 20 to 30 minutes.

Development: Are placed 4 goals invested in the field and arranged according to the drawing. To play 2, 3 or free strokes but it is convenient that the goal be scored to the first touch. One of the conditions that can be added is that all players so much equipment that brand of which receives the goal, pass half-court to make the goal valid.

Partido con desdoblamientos

Number players: 12 - 14 - 16-18.

Dimensions: 30 x 40 meters up to 60 x 40 meters.

Aim: Game by the bands, situations of Center, auction and clearance, attacks and interact rupture and support.

Influence: dealing with all areas of auction, marking the consequences and the movement of support game. Players of the band must follow the game and placed as closely as possible to receive ball.

Duration: 10 to 20 minutes.

Development: Make a match between two teams of 6-7-8 players over the goalkeeper. Each team must be compulsorily placed two players in the opposite field bands. To play a game where the only goal you can get after Center. Whenever a player inside performs a pass to one of the band, you must unfold from behind, receiving the pass and focus. Are immediately exchanged positions, the band becomes player inside, and the inside player remains in the band.

Partido tres porterías

Number players: 12 - 14 - 16-18.

Dimensions: 30 x 40 meters up to 60 x 40 meters.

Aim: Game by the bands, situations of center, auction and clearance interact support, and rupture definition.

Influence: dealing with all areas of auction, definition, folding especially from defenders of the little goal post, and the movement of support game with minimum possible curfews and speed of the ball.

Duration: 15 to 20 minutes.

Development: Exercise to improve transitions attack-deffend (all lines team tactical movements both offensive and defensive, close central spaces to prevent goal). A game is played with 2 little goal post placed according to graphics and a big goal. Normally front organized according to the system to be used and the media attack the real goal defended by goalkeeper, defenders and some means organized according to system to be used. On the other hand the media and front defend 2 placed little goal post in the center of the field, which can make the defenses when they retrieved the ball and closed.

INJURY PREVENTION IN GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL

Currently in grassroots football preparation is becoming more comprehensive. Young footballers must be phisically prepared so as to hold on some harder trainings and matches. This sporting demand intails a higher incidence of injuries, that in case of grassroots football, interrupt player’s evolution.

This makes that elements such as a correct physical preparation, a complete safety equipment, as well as an appropiate nutrition and good habits are indispensable.

For a correct physical preparation, is important, among other things, training make-up work, that is to say, to work on muscle groups and other structures of the human body which are not habitually trained, and can directly have influence on preventing injuries. This can be pointed towards several directions:

1. Strengthening and flexibility of lower body muscle groups.

It is recommended to do work of force and flexibility in the mentioned musculature in order to avoid injuries, such as overloads.

It is also very important flexibility work, because it can be injuries in articulations and reductions in the back of the thigh (normally hamstrings). It will be fundamental to create stretching habits.

2. Abdominal muscles work

Strengthening of this area, which is a fundamental element in the formation of youths,  should be done by obeying several principles, such as avoiding the lumbar arch and pelvic anteversion.

3. Upper body work (Arms and chest).

This is very important regarding the goalkeeper, and outfield players in order to avoid muscular imbalances. 

4. Preventive propioception.

Ankle and knee joints should be strengthen through the practice of proprioception exercises and balances. With them, at the technical level we will also improve the performance by an increase in motor coordination of the individual.

Another important aspect to reduce the possibility of suffering an injury is the use of the protective equipment, in our case, football, shinpads.

Finally, we would like to highlight that a good nutrition and hydration are a big helpful so as to prevent injuries. 

A balanced diet, in which it is recommended to eat food from each of food groups: cereals, vegetables, fruits, diary and meal is needed. Thus avoiding the consumption of fats excessively, soft drinks, sweets and pastries in general.

It is also important that children drink liquids before a match, every 20 minutes during the match and after playing. The best is usually to drink water, but sports drinks, such as Aquarius, help replenish sodium, potassium and electrolytes lost in sweat.

Well, so far, these advices that from PreparationOfYoungFootballPlayers we can give to you in order to help in this stage there are less possible injuries. 

Later we will talk about some more concrete injuries and exercises which every player  must know to strenghen his body, avoid and recover from such injuries.

See you soon.

YoungCracks Blog. 2015. Retrieved the 20 March 2015, of: http://www.futbolbaseenestadopuro.com/las-lesiones-en-el-futbol-base-1-causas-y-prevencion/

Slideshare Linkedln Coporation. 2015. Retrieved the 20 March 2015, of: http://es.slideshare.net/hectorinef/prevencion-de-lesiones-futbol-base

PREVENCIÓN DE LESIONES EN EL FÚTBOL BASE

Actualmente, en el fútbol base la preparación es cada vez más completa; los jóvenes futbolistas deben estar preparados físicamente para aguantar unos entrenamientos y partidos más duros. Esta exigencia deportiva conlleva una incidencia más elevada de lesiones que, en el caso del fútbol base, interrumpe la evolución del jugador.

Esto hace imprescindible elementos tales como una correcta preparación física, un equipo de seguridad completo, una nutrición adecuada y unos buenos hábitos.

Para realizar una correcta preparación física, entre otras cosas es importante entrenar el trabajo compensatorio, es decir, trabajar sobre los grupos musculares y otras estructuras del cuerpo humano que no se entrenan habitualmente, y que pueden incidir de una manera directa en la prevención de lesiones, el cual lo podemos orientar hacia varias direcciones:

1. Fortalecimiento y flexibilidad de los grupos musculares del tren inferior.

Es recomendable realizar un trabajo de fuerza y flexibilidad en la musculatura mencionada para evitar lesiones, como pueden ser las sobrecargas.  

Muy importante es también el trabajo de flexibilidad, puesto que puede evitar lesiones en articulaciones y acortamientos en la parte posterior del muslo (habitualmente isquiotibiales). Será fundamental crear hábitos de estiramientos.

2. Trabajo de la musculatura abdominal

El reforzamiento de esta zona, que es un elemento fundamental en la formación de los jóvenes, se debe realizar respetando varios principios como evitar el arco lumbar y la anteversión de la pelvis.

3. Trabajo tren superior (Brazos y pecho).

Muy importante en el portero, y en los jugadores de campo para evitar desequilibrios musculares

4. Propiocepción  preventiva.

Se debe reforzar las articulaciones del tobillo y la rodilla mediante la práctica de ejercicios de propiocepción y equilibrios. Con ellos también mejoraremos el rendimiento a nivel técnico por un aumento de la coordinación motora del individuo.

Otro de los aspectos importantes para disminuir la posibilidad de sufrir una lesión es el uso del equipo de protección, en nuestro caso, el futbol, las espinilleras.

Por último, destacar que una buena nutrición e hidratación son una gran ayuda para evitar las lesiones.

Se requiere de una alimentación equilibrada, donde es recomendable consumir comida de cada uno de los grupos alimenticios: cereales, verduras, frutas, lácteos y carne.  Evitando así el consumo de grasas en exceso, bebidas gaseosas, chucherías y bollería en general.

Importante también que los niños beban líquidos antes de un partido, cada 20 minutos durante el partido y después de jugar. Usualmente lo mejor es beber agua, pero las bebidas deportivas, como puede ser el Aquarius, ayudan a reponer el sodio, potasio y electrolitos que se pierden con el sudor.

Bueno, hasta aquí, estos consejos que desde PreparationOfYoungFootballPlayers os podemos dar para ayudar a que en esta etapa se produzcan las menos lesiones posibles.

Más adelante hablaremos de algunas lesiones más concretas y de ejercicios que todo jugador debe saber para fortalecer su cuerpo, prevenir y recuperarse de dichas lesiones.

Hasta pronto.

Asociación mediante triángulos + finalización

Number players: Three by repetition.

Dimensions: ½ field.

Aim: Game with the minimum possible, speed in the game centers, and especially the end.

Impact: Partnering with triangles, Passes with speed at the first touch and perform movements before the end.

Duration: 15 to 20 minutes.

Development: This exercise is performed by two bands through the movements observed in the image. The player who starts the move makes the Center, the number two is the second pussy to finish in the first suit and the player three as he made the last pass is going to the first cone to finish in the second stick.

Ataque 6 x 6 + 1 con inicio del portero

Number players: 12 - 14 - 16-18.

Dimensions: ½ field.

Aim: Play with the minimum possible, touches speed in the game, improve the output of the ball, situations in superiority, pressure, etc.

Impact: In the best decisions, on the pass (in the face of pressure from behind) and control oriented and above all in the good beginning of creation with the Porter.

Duration: 10 to 15 minutes.

Development: Divides the space as shown in the image. Place players by position and will be a possession of ball of the offensive team and once it is achieved to give five consecutive passes, you will have to play with the goalkeeper quickly and the plants and the ends will have to be opened spaces for the goalkeeper to play in short or long looking for one of the players (having to be avoided by the defenders) you will get 1 point. If you get to keep the ball after pass from goalkeeper, there will be a 2 x 1 band, only being able to enter a defence and trying to finish in goal, to try to get another point.

Juego tricolor

- Number players: 9 - 12 - 15.

- Dimensions: 30 x 25 / 35 x 30 / 40 x 35.

- Purpose: Possession - occupation of the space - game without a ball - recovery - quick Play.

- Impact: Play with ease, amplitude, in group defense, defensive attitude.

- Duration: 12 or 20 minutes.

- Objective: Form three teams of three, four or five players. Two teams of three retained possession while the other team tries to intercept or retrieve the ball. Goes to retrieve the player's team that lost without stopping the game in such a way that the players maintain good attention while playing. It is appropriate to limit the toques by player in two or two plus one and even if the field is well to a touch.

Juego tres colores + finalización

Number players: 9 – 12 – 15.

Dimensions: 30 x 25 / 35 x 30 / 40 x 35.

Purpose: Recovery and counterattack, shot dead in speed moves, pressure in area of completion, not to fall in out of the game, change of mentality attack defense.

Impact: Circular movements to prevent outside game, rapid incorporation into attack, complete with decision the goal scoring.

Duration: 12 to 20 minutes. (Series of 4 or 5 minutes each team that retrieves ball).

Development: Three teams of three, four or five players and a goalkeeper that defends all attacks. Two of the three teams maintain possession to one or two touches while the other team tries to recover the ball. If recovers the ball, free touches a goal attack is carried out while they are defended by the two teams that began the possession. Teams that currently only defend may defend in delimited space, entering the offensive team without opposition except the goalkeeper in goal area. Last series for each team four or five minutes, leaving the players to return delimited space walk after a play in goal. Starts again with the goalkeeper with the hand release a player to begin with possession of ball. It is important to indicate the area where pita offside being normally shown on the graph. If during the possession, the team loses the ball is counted half goal for the team that recovers. The Organization of a competition among the three teams to see who gets more goals in each series encourages the intensity in the game.

Posesión + progresión

Number players: 10-20

Dimensions: ¼ field 10 to 12 players. Field for 18 to 20 players

Purpose: Possession - Progression - Recovery

Impact: Support of security - verticality of the attack - Game is sure - occupation of the game space.

Duration: 12 to 20 minutes.

Developement: There are two teams that attack and defend in one direction only, and define the field of game graphics according. The game is to achieve different objectives while playing. 1^st OBJECTIVE:  It consists of performing ten passes within the own half of field. Once achieved the ten passes are for the game to start from the base line own to try to achieve the second objective. 2^nd OBJECTIVE: is to try to get the ball crossing the line in midfield and touch one more player after crossing and only on the condition that only two players on the team keeper can play in the most backward area and without for the game we got to the third goal 3^rd OBJECTIVE: Achieve cross the third line of the field without going on outside of game (that is valid a deep pass to a teammate).

What kind of relationships exist in grassroots football? 

It is a well-known fact that in playing fields we found different types of social groups that influence the players themselves. In grassroots football it is appreciated how both parents and referees, as well as trainers and the players themselves interact so that everybody live together intervening one over the other. 

Thereupon, we expound the possible types of relationships which can occur in playing fields of grassroots football.

Player-trainer relationship: This relationship can be divided into two contexts:

During the training, where the relationship between the player and the trainer tends to be friendly and direct. At that moment, the trainer must worry about that players learn in an ideal and agreeable environment. They must always take into account the seriousness and work, but never taking them to authoritarianism.

During the match: In this category it is very common that we find trainers who throw out motivating messages to their players so that they go out and play one hundred percent. In addition, trainers give them some advice on how they shoud act within the field, they explain them briefly the tactical strategies, and so on. However, we can also see, although over the years to a lesser extend, that there are trainers who underestimate the effort of their players, by limiting themselves only to the result.

Parent-trainer relationship: The relationship between parents and trainer is similar in the cordial way to the former, but on the contrary is not always as direct. On many occasions it is players themselves the intermediaries between the father or mother and the trainer. It is true that there are also situations, in which, when a parent is interested in the progress of his child, the parent-trainer relationship is completaly direct.

Trainer-referee ralationship: The relationship between referees and trainers within a grassroots football match are usually oscilatory. At matches in this age group, is frequent and shameful to see trainers insulting the referee and consequently to be expelled.

On the other hand, we find trainers who do work well with referees so that children are able to grow sportly and personally. Despite the existence of these cooperative situations between referee and trainer, in leagues in which the competition and the victory come first, is difficult to occur.

Parent-referee relationship: This relationship is probably the most complicated one within the playing field, because whatever the referee does, his decision is going to be questioned by the team affected. There are many occasions in which it can be seen how players’ parents underestimate and insult the referees in charge of controlling the match.

Player-player relationship: The relationships of players from different teams within the playing field tend to be respectful. Despite being this, we can also find players who do not respect these education rules and during the match throw insults and threats to the players of the opposing team.

In addition to the previous ones, we find relationships between the players of the same team, where there can be moments of the league in which unpleasant situations among teammates appear. The trainer’s role is trying to reduce the possibilities of the emergence of such situations and to create a good working environment. One of the purposes is that they should not be a group but a team.

Referee-player relationship: For players of this age, the referee must be other educator, as well as flexible and have the ability to teach the footballer who should and should not do on the field. Sometimes, we can find referees who treat players of this age as if they were professionals ones. In this way, changing this image, we could achieve making  the learning of these footballers much more easy.

Parent-player relationship: finding the famous “parents-trainers” has become in a frequent image within matches. Those parents are characterized by being during all the match questioning the decisions of the referee, and saying phrases of scorn to the teammates themselves of their child. This image should be completely removed from playing fields. 

Cara, JF., Pernía, I, & Utrilla, M. (2014). Socio-emotional relationships among players, parents and referees on grassroots football fields. E-motion. Education, Motricity and Investigation magazine, nº 2, pp.78-87.

¿Qué tipo de relaciones existen en el futbol base?

Es sabido por todos que en los terrenos de juego, nos encontramos distintos tipos de grupos sociales que influyen en los propios jugadores. En el fútbol base se aprecia cómo tanto padres, árbitros, entrenadores como los propios jugadores interactúan de forma que todos conviven interviniendo unos sobre otros.

A continuación, exponemos los posibles tipos de relaciones que se pueden dar en los terrenos de juego de fútbol base.

Relación jugador-entrenador: Esta relación se puede dividir en dos contextos:

Durante el entrenamiento donde la relación  entre el jugador y el entrenador suele ser cordial y directa. Donde el entrenador se debe preocupar de que los jugadores aprendan en un ambiente óptimo agradable teniendo siempre presente la seriedad y el trabajo, pero nunca llevándolos al autoritarismo.

Durante el partido: Es frecuente en esta categoría que encontremos a entrenadores que lanzan mensajes motivadores a sus jugadores para que salgan al cien por cien a jugar, que dan consejos de cómo actuar dentro del campo, les explican de forma reducida las estrategias tácticas…Pero por otra parte también se puede observar, aunque con el paso del tiempo en menor medida que existen entrenadores que menosprecian el esfuerzo de sus jugadores, ciñéndose sólo al resultado.

Relación padre-entrenador: La relación entre padres y entrenador es similar en lo cordial a la anterior, pero por el contrario no siempre es tan directa. En muchas ocasiones son los propios jugadores los intermediarios entre el padre ó madre y el entrenador. Es cierto que también existen situaciones en las que la relación padre-entrenador es directa en su totalidad, cuando un padre se interesa en el progreso de su hijo.

Relación entrenador-árbitro: La relación de los árbitros y los entrenadores dentro de un partido de fútbol base suelen ser oscilatorias. En los partidos a estas edades, viene a ser frecuente y vergonzoso ver a entrenadores insultar al colegiado y por consiguiente ser expulsados.

Por otra parte, encontramos entrenadores que sí se compenetran con los árbitros para que los niños puedan crecer deportiva y personalmente. A pesar de existir estas situaciones de cooperación entre árbitro y entrenador, en ligas en las que prima la competición y la victoria es complicado que ocurran.

Relación padre-árbitro: Esta relación es quizás la más complicada dentro del terreno de juego, ya que haga lo que haga el árbitro su decisión va a ser cuestionada por el equipo perjudicado. Son muchas las ocasiones en las que se puede ver como padres de los

jugadores, menosprecian e insultan a los árbitros encargados de controlar el partido.

Relación jugador-jugador: Las relaciones de los jugadores de diferentes equipos dentro del terreno de juego suelen ser respetuosas. A pesar de ser esto también se puede encontrar jugadores que no respetan estas normas de educación y durante el partido lanzan insultos y amenazas a los jugadores del equipo rival.

Además de las anteriores encontramos relaciones entre los jugadores de un mismo equipo, donde pueden darse momentos de la liga en los que aparezcan situaciones desagradables entre compañeros. La función del entrenador es intentar reducir las posibilidades de la aparición de dichas situaciones y crear un buen clima de trabajo. Una de las finalidades es que no sean un grupo sino un equipo.

Relación árbitro-jugador: Para los jugadores de esta edad el árbitro debe ser un educador más, debe ser flexible y tener la capacidad para enseñar al futbolista qué debe y qué no se debe hacer dentro del campo. En ocasiones se puede encontrar a colegiados que tratan a los jugadores de esta edad como si de profesionales se tratase, cambiando esta imagen podríamos lograr hacer el aprendizaje de estos futbolistas mucho más fácil.

Relación padre-jugador: Se ha convertido en una imagen frecuente dentro de los partidos, encontrar a los famosos “padres-entrenadores”. Estos padres se caracterizan por dedicarse durante todo el encuentro a cuestionar las decisiones del entrenador de su hijo, y a pronunciar frases de menosprecio hacia los propios compañeros de su hijo. Esta imagen debería eliminarse por completo de los terrenos de juego.