If we did, perhaps, the next step would be to let it evolve into 3v3 before going into 5v5, wouldn’t it?

Dribbling Football: How a child-centred approach led Belgian youth football from 11v11 to 2v2.

Friday, 23 June 2017

by Kris van der Haegen

One size doesn’t fit all: not in training sessions, not in matches, and not in the personal profile of coaches. To solve this problem, three years ago the Belgian football association made a brave decision to change to a much more tailor-made approach. In short, it means that we now adapt to who is in front of us, not the other way around!

For more than 10 years we have broken down the 11 v 11 game into smaller formats: 8v8 and 5v5 to start with, and more recently, in 2014, we created even a smaller football format introducing 2v2 games at U6-U7 age.

At the very beginning, a lot of parents didn’t appreciate the innovation because they were still evaluating the project from the point of view of the adult athlete. They didn’t quite like that we changed the regular format of their favourite team sport. So, we had to explain them that we were just focusing on the individual child of 5-6 years old who has just started playing football.

At that age, the only skills that they are ready to develop are dribbling and scoring (shooting) skills. This fits with the psychological and mental capability profile of these young children, who let’s face it, are rather egocentric. They aren’t able to deal with complex decision making required to know when to dribble and when and whom to pass?

This high level of complexity of the full form of the game doesn’t fit with the cognitive capacities of U5-U6 and even some U7 players.

Some parents were really angry and told me that we were crazy at the FA when I presented them the new format in January during the winter break: “Football is a team sport…!” they cried angrily. But, only a few months later, one of these ‘angry’ parents sent me a text message (sms) : “Kris, now I understand the change, my son scored 4 goals today. Last year he didn’t score one in the whole season….”. This father had finally taken off his adult glasses and looked at the game with through the eyes of a child that comes to football just to enjoy it and to, yes, SCORE GOALS!!

The point is, before we start developing in the kids the notion of football as a passing game, we must focus on the development of skills that suit where they are mentally and cognitively, like keeping the ball, running with the ball and scoring.

By thinking about what 5 and 6 year-olds are like, we created a new kind of football: Dribbling Football, play on mini pitches and with an adapted goal format. It looks a lot more like the street football we played back in the day where we could freely express ourselves without a coach and even without a referee. Just playing like we wanted to play… 100% FUN!

Below is a diagram of the format for Dribbling Football

And here is a clip of what it looks like in action:

It reminds me so much of the countless hours we spent playing outside, playing football in the garden or the parking lot, just by playing on your own or with your brother, sister or the next-door neighbour.

It sounds a bit sad, but in a way, what we are doing now is organise and replicate the street football of old in the club environment. No competition, but just football festivals where everybody wins and enjoys football!

It’s not all hunky-dory though. At U7 level, the playing format switches to 5v5 football, and we can see that for some of them, perhaps those less experienced that just started to play or who need more time to get the right skills, the 5v5 format is way too complex. But the regulations at the moment force them play in that format.

My question is: Why shouldn’t we be more flexible and adapt the playing format to the growth and developmental needs of the players?

If we did, perhaps, the next step would be to let it evolve into 3v3 before going into 5v5, wouldn’t it?

So let’s make this intermediate step next season and really adapt our football to the players not the other way around. Let’s demonstrate that we are there to develop the individual player, and that this is the norm!  Children are not miniature adults! They are really who they are: just young children with their own characteristics, needs and wants.

You can follow Kris @KrisVDHaegen

Author:

Kris van der Haegen

Kris van der Haegen is Director of Coach Education for the Royal Belgian Football Association. A former high school teacher who speaks countless languages, and a member of the UEFA Jira Panel, Kris has been one of the main architects of the elevation of Belgian football to unheard-of levels of quality in recent years. Kris enjoys talking about how to make football better, specially for children and young people, yet he has also extensive experience coaching at the top level. he is currently an assistant coach with the Belgian Women's National Team. 

Homework

https://thecoachingmanual.com/Content/6283702277505024




Very good article by the coaching manual, from my experience of coaching you cant just turn up at training once a week and expect to master the ball, be good at passing ,keep ups etc etc, this comes from what the child does in his /her spare time . From a coaches perspective we can easily spot those who have practiced in their spare time and those who haven't, for me the foundation phase 5-11 is crucial, it is called the foundation phase for a reason !  Those who have older siblings will benefit massively having to compete against them . Playing futsal will help, in my opinion  its the tight space , your first touch has to be good , passing precise but most importantly the weather never affects play , the games can be conditioned within the session , IE , playing out from the back, shooting , counter attacking ,defending 1 vs 1,s etc etc . Key points in the article below , main article at the bottom.

As a product of Generation X, I sometimes wonder if I look back at my own childhood through rose-tinted spectacles. Did we really enjoy that much freedom and were summers so much longer then? Unfortunately, research suggests I'm not. A study by JCB in 2013 found that children in the modern era are spending (on average) 10 hours per week less outdoors. It's a genuine problem.

Practice makes perfect

The main thing these unstructured games gave us was practice; hours and hours of it. The beating heart of these games is what the Football Association would now call the social corner. That is, groups of friends, schoolmates and team mates across different age groups who just wanted to play. The games went on and on, perhaps starting with 5-a-side, growing to 15 or 16-a-side and dwindling eventually to a couple of mates taking free kicks at each other until they heard the unmistakable tones of mum calling them home for tea-time.

https://thecoachingmanual.com/Content/6283702277505024

The England DNA Foundation Phase

A cultural change is needed.

There have already been hundreds if not thousands of games cancelled this season because of pitches that are unsuitable to play on. This situation occurs every year around the same time and yet, other than some forward thinking individuals and progressive leagues, we muddle aimlessly on moaning and cursing never seriously looking to change it. I ask the question, why?

 “We have to toughen the players up”

“They have to play on grass in the cold when they are older” 

“it will make men/women of them” 

These are some of the usual responses we hear when asked why an alternative has not been considered. 

With this in mind let me offer the following information:

“We have to toughen the players up” 

Futsal is played in a smaller space, to lines and at a faster speed. This means there are more physical contacts, more 1v1 confrontations and more opportunities to develop techniques, skills and movements that are perfectly appropriate for players of this age. 

This environment will toughen players up and get them used to contact. We do need resilient and resourceful players (and Futsal will challenge the players to get better at this) but we are also crying out for skilful, technical players who make great decisions in the game. 

Toughness alone will not win the World Cup, sorry. Futsal is a game that will challenge the players in all the areas we are deemed to be lacking in; technique, decision making, tactical awareness to name but a few.

“They have to play on grass in the cold when they are older” 

Yes, the players do but the significant part of this response is the bit that says; when they are older!! Young children are not as tolerant to fluctuations in temperature as adults so they are affected more by these extremes. 

When they grow and mature playing outside in the cold will be very appropriate but once again we are forgetting that our children are NOT mini adults. Everyone nods and agrees when this is said but the actions of many coaches do not support this. 

Take the players indoors so that the focus can be upon technique, movement and decision making and not keeping warm.

“It will make men/women of them”

The process of childhood is to allow time and space for the gradual transition from being a child, and all that entails, into a mature and well-balanced adult. There is no need to “make men” of our children. It goes against the natural order of things and may mean that vital learning and development is missed out. 

We always seem to be in a rush to get the players doing what comes NEXT. Why not maximise the development that is possible NOW. Missing weeks and months of the season due to cancellations and poor pitches is not maximising development time.

The England DNA and developing players who are confident in possession.

You must know by now that developing the individual ability of each player is an absolute priority in the Foundation Phase. 

Futsal will help in a number of ways. The smooth, flat surface that increases the speed of the ball will provide different challenges to the players, as will the heavier weighted ball. These different constraints will help refine the skills and techniques of the players. The environment indoors allows for concentrated practice if new ideas are being introduced and the wind, rain and cold cannot affect levels of concentration or the pace of practice if the coach needs to take a little extra time explaining things to the players. 

There will be times when the players are outside in the cold so now players have had a variety of experiences and this is what is needed. Inside allows time for focussed practice and games in a smaller space, to different rules and on a fast, smooth surface. 

Outside, if cold, provides lots of high tempo activity and games on a different surface (grass or 3G) and the players need both.

In this section of Hive there are a number of video clips that will add more information and detail so that you can consider a Futsal alternative for the benefit of your young players. 

I know this has been a bit negative so far but I am very encouraged by the many coaches, teams and leagues that have already established a Futsal winter break into the football calendar. This is growing every year, shows real foresight and must be applauded.

DNA Futsal Take home message

The England DNA in the Foundation Phase is committed to sending out very clear and consistent messages regarding the development of a different kind of England player. The game of Futsal has to become a natural part of our players development and the way their seasons are structured when young. The benefits to development, in line with the DNA, of going indoors and playing Futsal far outweigh the cold and wet experiences our young players might get (if the game is actually on outdoors) in winter. Our players cannot lose months and months of development. Quite rightly they will lose focus and motivation. Futsal is the perfect option for the DNA and to keep the development of our players on full throttle all year round.

How to use constraints in your coaching session

 

•         

Ben Bartlett, FA youth coach developer, asks coaches to consider how a constraints-led approach to practice design can help aid player development.

The production of playbooks - which often include pages of sessions and describe particular plays that players should run in games - can be guilty of seeking to oversimplify the complex nature of coaching football to human beings.  
Complex activities require complex, multi-faceted programmes of learning that embrace variety such as risk and safety, unopposed and opposed practice and telling and discovery coaching approaches.
In issue 10 of The Boot Room, an alternative approach to practice design and supporting players to play the game was proposed. Coaches were encouraged to consider how a constraints-led approach to coaching football could be combined with a flexible structure for practice sessions and games programmes. The purpose of the discussion was to help enable coaches to design varied, responsive football activity to support the perceived individual needs of players and coaches.
The considered approach to practice design functioned at three different levels:

1.Principles of practice design 

 

     

2. Four ingredients coaches can experiment with and combine:

Pitch Type: select from big, small, narrow or wide.
Player Distribution: how we distribute the players to link to the systems or strategies we choose to deploy.
Parameters: determine the pitch markings that can be used to guide or limit the movements that the players can make.
Player constraints: decide how we intend to challenge players’ actions and decisions using the 3 R’: restrict, reward and relate. The image below provides definitions of these (Picture 2)

 

     

3. Examples of Games

The table below provides some examples of how the principles and ingredients can be combined  

 

     

The three levels of thinking afforded by this ‘lighter footprint’ approach, can support coaches to work from more abstract principles to build their own ideas. Similarly, there is also the option to use some example ‘practice recipes’ when time or experience are limited.
There are three additional aspects that we would encourage you to consider:

1. Pursuing Victory

Football is a competitive sport. Supporting the players to think about and learn how to win (and how to behave when we don’t) is a key aspect of development. The table above (and in issue 21 of The Boot Room on Coaching Game Management) includes examples of how we might constrain games to afford players the opportunity to manage the momentum of the game.
The games programme can provide us with opportunities to coach the players (similar to training sessions). We ran a tournament in Spring 2016, which used a ‘must-win’ constraint. The competition offered three points for a win and zero points for a draw or defeat. This afforded players the opportunity to think of the tactics they use to ensure they win the game. Interestingly, all six games (which were fifteen minutes in duration) finished 1-0. This was possibly, in part, due to the way teams played until the first goal was scored and the emotional impact of going behind.

2. Overload Principle in cognition

The idea of the pitch being smaller or narrower than ‘normal’ can sometimes be met with the view that it is unrealistic and removes some of the principles of the game of football. However, consider the value of the overload principle on decision-making (cognition). Overload refers to the amount of load/stress we place on the body/brain than it is normally accustomed to in order to improve its function. If we make decision-making harder (due to limiting space and time) than ‘normal’, does it enable us to improve player’s decision-making ability?

3. Individual/Whole Group Constraints

The value of individual practice is unquestionable. This can often be perceived as needing to be completed individually or in a small group. Tasking or constraining players individually within a squad practice can afford players the opportunity to practise something unique to them within the context of the game.
For example, I recently worked with a number 10 who had a tendency to set back when the ball came to his feet, missing opportunities to receive, turn and threaten the opposition. We constrained him to ‘no one-touch passes backwards’.  This meant if he played backwards it is likely he would slow the game down (which might be the best decision) and led to him receiving on the turn and turning on his first touch, benefitting not only further development of his techniques and decisions but also the physical movements he made.

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Knowing Your Players: Playing Up And Down Age Groups

Written by Steven Crane Oct 3rd, 2017

The traditional model for organising teams is by school year (UK) or by calendar year (USA and RoW). This means that there can be a wide variation in biological age (there could be almost 1 year age difference between your oldest and youngest players). Professional clubs are now identifying late developers and are creating strategies to help individuals develop and reach their full potential.

1. My player is finding it difficult because he/she is too small, what can I do to help him/her develop?
2. My player is not strong enough to compete, what can I do to help him/her develop?
3. My player is finding it too easy at his own age group, what can I do to help him/her develop?

We are asked these questions by users of The Coaching Manual regularly. It’s a big issue in the game and a lot of coaches choose to ignore it which prevents players from developing or, in the worst-case scenario, causes them to leave the game. Encouraging players to play up or down an age group can have a massive impact on a player’s long-term development and enjoyment of the game.
 What are the implications for player development?
There are two possible implications for the development of your players, which are determined by where they are in their individual development pathway.

 Scenario 1: Player is more advanced than his/her team-mates:

1. Has too much success in matches – Don’t enjoy it as much and become frustrated.
2. Games aren’t physically demanding– Develop bad habits/become lazy.
3. Believes they are the best – Become over-confident/arrogant, doesn’t involve team mates and alienates them.
4. Games aren’t technically demanding - Don’t achieve potential.

 Scenario 2: Player is less advanced than his/her team-mates:

1. Has little success in matches – Don’t enjoy it as much and become frustrated.
2. Games are too physically demanding– Risks injury.
3. Believes they are the worst – Loses confidence, gets upset in matches and withdraws from team mates.
4. Games are too technically demanding - Don’t achieve potential.

Why have they not progressed?

It could be due to the physicality (height, weight, strength) of the player, a comparative lack of technical ability to the rest or their social and psychological maturity.
Physicality– Due to various legislation, not everyone will be able to move players up and down age groups to aid their development. So, here is how you, as coaches, can help the player.
1. An under 15 player is not able to meet the physical demands of the game. Encourage them to train with the U14s as well as the under 15s. This will allow the player to play with players of their own physicality and will give them an opportunity to develop.
a) Be careful when you do this. Be truthful with the player and make sure they are fully aware that this is not a punishment, it is more of a challenge to see if they can improve the u14's and challenge them to be a leader in that age group.
b) If the player has to stay with their own age group for games then allow them to play in the less competitive games, and surround them with stronger players. This will help them get some success on the pitch.
c) Use the examples we give in the interview to illustrate how even great players have benefited from this approach.
2. An under 15 player is too strong for their age group. Challenge the player by moving him/her to play up a year. This will allow the player to use their body in a more realistic environment.
Technical Ability - If the players are physically able to compete with their age group but are lacking technical ability then here are a few things you could do.
1. Encourage them to play in the league/team below. Still, allow the players to train with your team as a lot of their friends will be there. However, the league/team below may be best to help his/her development.
a) Set goals and simple challenges they can do away from training that will help them improve their technical ability, for example, passing with a friend or against a wall. Please take a look at our 1 to 1 coaching content.
2) A player is technically better than his team-mates and is at risk of his technical development stagnating.
a) Allow the player to train with an older age group, where their technical ability is put under pressure, forcing them to improve both their technical level and their speed of play.

Psychological Age

1. An under 9 player is enjoying training but getting upset every time it comes to game day.
a) Sit down with the player before a game and discuss all the great things they are going to do in the game ahead which will give them confidence.
b) Consider starting the player as a substitute and allow them to watch the game from the side so they can get a feel for the environment. Also, consider allowing the player to play games with the younger age group to build his/her confidence.
c) Give the player certain roles and responsibilities in the team to motivate them.

Social Age

1. An under 11 player is superior to their peers and they are not passing the ball in training. His friends have started to get frustrated with him/her and alienate him/her from the group.
a) Set the player individual challenges during training sessions, for example, can he/she make 20 passes in a game. He/she can only score with a one-touch finish.
b) Allow the player train with the age group above to challenge the player. 

Why Futsal Will Accelerate Your Player's Development  

•        

The England DNA wants coaches to work towards helping players develop outstanding technical ability. This starts in the Foundation Phase and playing Futsal is a great game to use.
The Foundation Phase is the perfect time to introduce players to the benefits of playing Futsal. The constraints of the game really do help to challenge the players, regardless of age, and it is the perfect game to supplement the involvement many young players will have with football. The England DNA demands that a different kind of player is developed and Futsal has a very important role to play.

DNA Foundation Phase Futsal Intro

vimeo.com

In the information that follows I have made reference to a feature of the game and aligned this with the DNA headlines that you will become so familiar with as you use this resource:

If you are indoors in the winter and have limited time – just play the game.

• The players will have increased touches and decisions to make (master the ball)

• The players will have increased opportunities to: accelerate, decelerate, change direction, stop and start, dodge and feint (master your body)

• Players are under constant pressure and have limited space (seek creative solutions)

• The players will have more tactical challenges to overcome (instinctive decision making)

• There will be more opportunities to shoot, pass, move, dribble and play 1v1 (be exciting with the ball)

• The players will have to react to transition more often (instinctive decisions)

• The players will have to defend as an individual and a team (intelligent defending)

And whilst all this is going on the players are having fun and enjoying the game.

 

As coaches we have to consider the balance between structured and unstructured practice time during the week. For our Foundation Phase players the training time in the grassroots game is likely to be between an hour or two hours per week (if you are lucky). If this is all structured, coach led and quite formal in nature then the players will miss out on the problem solving, decision making and improvisation needed just to cope with the game of Futsal. 

If you take your team indoors for the winter you have to consider using Futsal. It is a great option for development and the FA now has a range of qualifications from Level 1, Level 2 to UEFA B Futsal which will help coaches develop both themselves and their players using this game.
You will find lots of Futsal practice ideas in line with the England DNA within this section so make sure you consider Futsal as an option for your players and you will be amazed by the results.

In possesion foundation phase , "stay on the ball and master the ball u/5-u/8"

Master the Ball

In the Foundation Phase, we must promote a real connection between the player and the ball. 

Young players want to improve and develop their skills so they are ready for this intervention. Mastering the ball includes building the capability to manipulate and manoeuvre the ball in any direction, at varying speeds and by using any part of the foot or body. 

This capability can then be utilised when dribbling, travelling with the ball, turning, receiving, shielding or screening the ball during any subsequent practice activity or game. This kind of practice cannot be skimmed over, rushed or (at worse) overlooked. Developing these fundamental skills will form the basis for all of the development that follows and the Foundation Phase provides the perfect starting point as young players are primed and ready to explore and experiment. 

Coaches should encourage this exploration: use a wide range of small-number activities and games to ensure that your players have lots of opportunity to spend time on the ball and make decisions.

A wide spectrum of methods can help to begin the process of ball mastery: from isolated ball-familiarity exercises that promote touch, feel and manipulation aspects (but require very little decision-making capability), to small-number activities, games and formats that will bring returns in all four corners (Technical, Physical, Psychological and Social). 

As a coach, your position on this spectrum should be determined by the needs of the group and within that, where possible, the needs of each individual player. 

Futsal must be included as a game format during this phase whenever possible. The game will provide massive returns in all areas of development, and the repetition involved in lots of situations that are similar (but never the same) is exactly what is needed at this stage of development. Please make sure you visit the Futsal section to learn more.

Stay on the Ball

It is difficult to say which part comes first - master the ball or stay on the ball - because, in promoting one, you are almost certainly working on the other. However, once players grow in confidence because of their improving ability on the ball, then we need to encourage them to stay on the ball for longer. This does not mean “hog the ball” or dribble until possession is lost. 

This headline is about the player knowing that they are able to keep the ball for longer regardless of the pressure from the opposition or from the lack of space available. 

Once you develop a confidence in your own ability, time can be spent on thinking about how you might attack and score for yourself or help others do the same. For our under 5-8 players this must be established in such a way that their technique is still good even though there’s more pressure. This could take years of practice, so ensure you give the players lots of variety and opportunity to begin to develop these important fundamental techniques.

A greater technical capability means that you can look for more attacking, threatening and creative options, rather than the easy or predictable ones. More time on the ball means that the game may change whilst you still have possession; supporting positions could change into more attacking ones, or the player on the ball may suddenly turn or dribble out of pressure and the whole pitch could open up before them.

These situations never occur if the player is told to pass the ball early and to the easiest option. 

This is probably the hardest part for the adults to deal with let alone actively encourage and promote. This is because we may feel frustrated as we wait for these skills and abilities to develop. It’s vital that we adopt a patient and consistent approach so that players feel supported when developing this aspect of their game.

It will be well worth the wait. Remember that development is a long-term process and by staying on the ball players will develop their dribbling skills, their turns, twists and their spins away from pressure. 

The young players will have to become good at “hiding” the ball away from opponents, and brilliant at not only knowing when to release the ball, but who to release it to. This capability will stay with them for the rest of their playing time as the DNA aims to promote this aspect of development right through the phases. 

The part you play is important because you will start the whole process off and, if done with real passion and enthusiasm, will be your legacy and your massive contribution to the development of our young players.

To summarise, stay on the ball when:

• you have no positive or threatening passing options, and you’re prepared to stay on the ball and see if one appears

• there is space in front of you/to the side/behind you and you can change the situation in the game to a more positive, attacking one by travelling with the ball

• you have recognised that the situation is 1v1 and you are going to dribble with the ball

• you are under pressure, passing options are compromised and you are willing to relieve the pressure and change the situation by screening, shielding or turning with the ball

• all of your options are sideways and backwards and staying on the ball may allow the situation to change and present a forward, positive more attacking option.

There is no particular order to these points - they are all equally important.

 

Stay on the Ball (Futsal)

vimeo.com

The mastery and staying on the ball headlines are perfect for those players at the youngest end of the Foundation Phase, so please make sure this development is prioritised.

Before you consider the other ‘in possession’ headlines, remember that you will have players who are still at the stage where managing the ball is all they can cope with. This is fine and just means that they need more time and more enjoyable ways to practice these things. Make sure you provide this for them. 

Get over Yourself !

“What makes a good coach?” He swiftly replied, “The realisation that it’s always about the players and never about you.”








https://playerdevelopmentproject.com/get-over-yourself/

By doing away with ‘fixed’ positions......................................................

 • “He changed football. We were the Naranja Mechanica, Clockwork Orange. He changed the mentality. We were not just guys moving forward and backward. We played with a lot of pressure on the other team, with a lot of risk in the back. The defenders went forward, the forwards came back. We played football. He even used the goalkeeper … as a libero, playing outside the area.” Wim Rijsbergen, Member of the Netherlands 1974 World Cup squad • •






By doing away with ‘fixed’ positions and making the team the star, football found a new identity. The inert, gelatinous pace of football gave way to something entirely different – a game of positions, of movements and constant circulation. The game of Total Football.




http://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/01/28/rinus-michels-and-the-total-football-rebellion/

Buckhurst Hill Lioness signs for Arsenal

Buckhurst Hill Lioness  signs for Arsenal

Faith Mensah from Buckhurst Hill u 12 blacks will be wearing the red and white of Arsenal for the up and coming 2017/2018 season after a successful trail. Faith was selected out of 150 girls including 20 current academy players. Faith had trained with the Buckhurst Hill Lionesses on Friday nights but opted to continue playing with the u 12 blacks. Stuart Blake (coach) has coached Faith since she was 6 years old. Faith's ability to read the game was always 18 months ahead of the rest of the players add that to her pace, strength and tackling ability made her very hard to play against. During her 4 seasons with Buckhurst Hill blacks Faith has won either parents player or the players player award.

Laura Mensah  said "I would like to thank the club for their continued support whilst playing for Buckhurst Hill FC. This had been a fun, exiting and, at times, challenging experience. The team, Buckhurst Hill Blacks, has always been dedicated and committed which makes it a great environment to play in. I would especially like to thank Stuart Blake for being so dedicated and supportive over the years, thank you for teaching Faith so much and driving her in the right direction."

Faith's attitude, willingness to learn and coupled with her playing ability gives her every chance of a career in football. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with.

Buckhurst Hill Lionesses announce a 2 nd player to sign an academy contract

Buckhurst Hill Lionesses
announce  a 2 nd player to sign an academy contract


It is with great pleasure and sadness that Buckhurst Hill Lionesses announce that Hannah Luxton will be continuing her career wearing the Yellow and Red of Watford Ladies F.C for the 2017/2018 season.

In the newly formed ladies team this season, Hannah joins her brother Michael as an academy player at Watford as a Ladies Under 12 player. Both Luxton children have been involved in the Buckhurst Hill set up for many years with Michael training since the age of 4 years old and Hannah training with the Lionesses since the inception of the girls team. Finishing runners up in their 1st ever tournament last year.

  An avid sportswoman for many years Hannah was recently selected to represent Watford after attending two trails of over 80 girls in her age group. Keen to test herself against the best teams in the area she is looking forward to putting into practice the skills and work eithic she has learned at the club.

Roger Luxton said “Both kids have been given an excellent basis and education in playing the game in the right way, with an emphasis on doing the right thing at the right time, every time. They could not of had a better introduction to football at grassroots level. The club encourages the players to develop in excellent facilities ensuring that all coaches and managers maintain a fun and educational atmosphere synonymous with the family tradition of the club. As always we will look to stay involved with the club as a former coach and two former players with many great memories and friends made in our time there”
"Hannah has been a pleasure to have in our girls section , i also think playing Futsal has helped her progress . Having 2 girls signed from our newly formed Lionesses section in 6 weeks the other Being Faith Mensah who was recently signed by Arsenal  is a massive achievement and something i Stuart Blake , Craig Sherrin and Alison Marsh are very proud of . Our Lionesses are increasing in numbers by the week , if you want to play football contact our girls section . email girls@bhfc.co.uk

education

The Importance Of Using Both Feet

Written by Lee Fletcher Jul 12th, 2017

In this article we explore the importance of playing with both feet and why it should be a vital part of a players technical development.

Game Base Level

In the modern game we are consistently urging our players to work on tricks, skills and flicks often without the base level of the game being explored.
Base Level is our fundamental technical qualities as a football player, for example, receiving, controlling passing and shooting. Around these technical aspects, are the principles of the game which inform how, why and when we might perform these actions.
One technical quality that often gets neglected and forgotten about is playing with both feet.

Weak foot and strong foot

From a soccer coaching point of view, we do often hear the term “weak foot and strong foot”. This terminology should be adapted when discussing this topic. Otherwise, we risk indicating to players that they are weak in an area of their technical capability. When addressing players during a technical coaching drill, use left, right or 'other foot' to avoid negative association.

Why

The ability to use both feet whenever is needed can separate the great players from the good ones but why is it so important to use both feet? Here are some reasons:

Unpredictability

Having the capability to use both feet creates unpredictability in your play. If you are consistently using one foot, it is easier for a defender to identify where a player will be going and how your body will shape when passing, dribbling or running with the ball.
Using both feet means that you are comfortable either side, especially when dribbling with the ball.

When defending, players, often like to get side on, which means they will try to show you the way they want you to go as an attacker. If you are right footed, they will show you to your left, understanding it may be difficult to dribble to the left side. However, if you are able to use both feet then it become virtually impossible for them to predict which way you will go, making it difficult to defend against.
Unpredictability is one of the greatest assets you can have as a player, and playing with both feet helps.

Protection

A Base Level skill that players should be learning is how to protect the ball, shielding away from defenders. When playing with two feet this becomes an easier task.
As a player moves to protect the ball, they can use both feet to shield the ball on the inside as well as the outside of the foot. As with a player who uses one foot constantly, they look to always move to one side or use one foot to control to move left or right. This can expose the ball if the player always turns with the ball with the outside of the foot.

Protecting the ball with both feet can give an air of unpredictability as the defender will have no idea which side you will go.

Balance

When playing with only one foot, players can often have balance issues. This means that if the ball is on one side of the their body, for example the right, and they are left footed, the player will need to stretch their leg to the opposite side of their body to remain in control of the ball.

By being able to use either foot, a player doesn't have to constantly shift their weight across the ball, often causing unbalance when the ball is not under-control or in difficult positions.
Using both feet allows a player to shift their weight across and over the ball with balance and control.

Disguise

Like unpredictability, disguise gives the defender uncertainty in your play. By using both feet to disguise where the pass may go, attackers can play with both feet allowing you to go either way past a defender. This can make it difficult for the opposition to defend against.

For example, when passing, if the player is right footed and running to the left, then the player may find it difficult to pass back to the right side, and would only be able to go forward or to the left side. However, if the player can use their left, he can disguise pass back to the right side cutting the pass across and behind the defenders.

Speed

Speed of thought and speed of play are increasingly vital parts of the game. Using both feet can help both speed of thought and play. This is because actions can be executed when the ball is on either side of the body.
When receiving the ball, we can see how players with two feet look to move the ball by receiving on the back foot to then pass on the ‘front’ foot.

Using both feet to receive and pass creates a quick passing action, to move the ball in one swift movement, rather than if a player receiving on the right foot, for example, and then adjust the body to then pass.
This is beneficial to switch the play or to move the ball forward quicker than with playing on the same foot.
When talking about speed of a player when running with the ball for example, we look at a players stride and how they can push the ball in front of them to run. When playing with both feet the stride can be interchangeable allowing both feet to move the ball forward when running with the ball.
Here are a few players that we feel are some of the best in the business at using both feet.

Anderson Hernanes

Santiago Cazorla

Adam Lallana

Take Home's

• Being able to master playing with both feet is one of the most important parts of players technical development and can often transform good players into great players. 
• From a technical and tactical standpoint, being comfortable with both feet allows a player to play anywhere on the pitch giving options to the team. 
• Players who play with both feet have the capacity to change games with their unpredictability and inventiveness to create football actions quicker than a player who only plays with a left or right. 

In the related content we will see how you can improve a players ability to play with both feet with simple exercises in training.