The differences between academy football and grass roots football are obvious. The players at academy level have been chosen on their attentiveness, knowledge and skill of the game. The players that are mainly involved with grass roots football are there for a kick about with their friends and unless they are kicking a ball about, aren’t too interested in being lectured on how to play the game (because they already know it, right?). Over the next few paragraphs I will be sharing some tips on how you can bring a bit of the academy magic to your club.
Player development
The main goal of an academy is player development and a lot of academies do this very well, the main aspect of a grass roots club is to be a facilitator to the game. Meaning as coaches we are the access point for those interested in playing to come and do just that, but we can be more than that. Create a coaching plan that goes through all the skills and attributes that it takes to be a professional footballer. Of course the ones we coach are not at the level so simplify it and try out the sessions, ask those taking part what they have learnt or what they would do better next time and take notes on who performed well and what it is that those who need help must improve on.
Parental involvement
For a while now there has been a push from footballs governing body to decrease the amount of noise that is made from a touchline, and whilst this is promoted at a lot of clubs there will always be the coaches at the side line giving advice to their child. For those fortunate enough to have seen academy teams play, the biggest difference here is that whilst a match is taking place no one is talking apart from the players on the pitch, not even the coach. Try and promote at every game the importance of just letting the child play football and not t give advice to the players. Along with this the main question that parents will ask after a grass roots game is “Did you win?” and “did you score?”. At academy level parents will ask “Did you enjoy yourself?” “What did you learn?” “What would you do differently next time?”. Try and explain this to the parents who come and watch your team play and get them to do the same, it will allow your players to think more holistically about the game rather than just winning.
Homework
This one is a personal favourite of mine, it allows the players to understand that learning the game doesn’t just take place on the field, that they can be learning about the game all the time. I will often say to the children who take part in my sessions that their homework will be to watch YouTube videos of specific footballers depending on what we are training on at the time. Examples may include watching videos of “Best skills” “Best tackles” “Best Goals” videos involving one specific player or match. Pitch it to the level of the children you coach and what you think they are capable of.
It is obvious that the children we coach aren’t at the level of academy just yet, but there is nothing stopping you from giving them the best opportunity to gain as much knowledge of the game and to develop them to their fullest potential. Children develop at different ages so just because they haven’t been picked up by a club at age 4 doesn’t mean that they can’t later on in their footballing life. Some of the best players in the premier league were late developers of the game. So do all you can educate rather than facilitate.
