Comparing International Youth Development

[soccrfn]

I am doing a comprehensive study which may turn into a book on how different countries, outside the US, develop their youth players, beginning from recreational u-6 to high-level u-16.

Looking specifically for what techniques and tactics are taught at different age groups. Please only send legit knowledgable facts. Don't want drills, only what age-apprortiate topics are taught and also what should NOT be taught, such as for u-6, teach dribbling, but not heading.

Thank you

[Richie]

Ok

From a Swedish coach

There are tons of soccer clubs in Sweden, and most of the mid size to bigger clubs have youth programs.

The programs are often run as recommended by the Swedish Soccer Assoc.

Age 7-9 play 5v5, #3 ball and small field.

Age 10-12 play 7v7, #4 ball and still small field.

From age 13 you play full size and 11v11.

Usually practice is 2-3 times per week and a game every weekend. Season April-Sept.

Adidas sponsors instructional soccer programs for age 6-13, which are popular.

There are elite camps arranged by the Soccer Assoc. for age 15.

The players are picked by each regional soccer assoc.

There are also 4 schools for age 16-20 where they get an education and play soccer. Only a selected number is chosen each year from many applicants.

Many teams participate in diff. cups, e.g., Gothia Cup, during the summer when league play is on hold.

In regard to winter fields some gravel/sand fields have underground heating from recycled hotwater from industries.
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Ajax system

They have 10 youth teams of 16 players each.

Plus 36 first team full professionals.

All teams are divided into LEFT SIDE PLAYERS, RIGHT SIDE PLAYERS and CENTRAL PLAYERS.

So, a "unit" would be right back, right mid, and right striker.

Players RARELY move between these units.

So if you are the world's SECOND best right striker playing behind the world's BEST right striker, and perchance the Left striker gets injured.

You still sit on the bench, and they fill in with another left side player or bring one up from a lower age group.

That is what I was told any way.
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The French Federation of Football (Soccer) is structured as follows:

The French National Technical Staff consists of 14 full-time people including Mr. Jacquet. All the coaches are ex-professional players with backgrounds in education and they all maintain the highest coaching certification available in France and Europe.

France is divided into 21 regions; each one of the regions has a full-time Technical Director that oversees all football programs, mainly youth development. All the Directors report directly to the National Technical Director.

All the Regional Technical Directors and National Staff come into the National Training Center twice per year for professional development. This is to make sure that everyone is up to date on all developments.
Mr. Jacquet believes that the French system is presently very healthy, full of star players and it is there to stay for a long time. Mr. Jacquet's statement is supported by the following objectives:


The main objective is coaching development. Without top level educators, France will not be able to produce quality players.

The second objective is player identification for the National Teams. France has 7 male National Teams starting at U16 and ending with the World Cup Team. The most important team within the National system is the Olympic U23, otherwise known as Equipe Espoir.

The third objective is the youth. From age 6 to 11, it's called the "learning stage and fun football." From age 12 to 16, it's called the "technical stage," where players have to train for 2 hours of purely technique on a daily basis. From age 16 onwards, top level players are usually signed to a formation center. France has 52 formation centers that belong to the top professional clubs in the country.

All players go through physiological and medical testing. The older players are tested psychologically.

France are developing very athletic players that are tactically astute. The technical ability of a player is still the prime asset. This makes the fine difference at the professional level.

Age 16 is very key in a player's development. This is where they begin their major strength and conditioning. The strength training must be related to the game. Speed and explosiveness with the ball must be trained. Very competent and knowledgeable coaches must work at this level.

With women's soccer, France is in the process of building a training center specifically for the female athletes. And as FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter previously said, "the future of football is feminine."

This should help a little.

Richie

[hambone]

2 hours a day on ball skills?? What the heck do they do for all that time?