Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Scottish FA School of Football Preparing for a life through sport

Scottish FA School of Football Aim To run an athlete development pilot project which will recruit the young football talent at age 12 and provide an individualised programme that will enhance the young players educational, physical, psychological and social development

The Long Term Athlete Development Model 10 years of extensive practice 10,000 hours to become expert Improved Performance Lifelong Participation Physical Literacy Scottish FA School of Football

Football is a late specialisation sport and the Long Term Athlete Development model has the following stages 1.Desire to play 2.Learning to Play 3.Developing the Player 4.Preparing to Compete 5.Preparing to Win 6-9 years 9-12 years years years 18+ Scottish FA School of Football

Windows of Optimal Trainability Developing the Player years Peak Speed Velocity (2) Peak Strength Velocity (1+2) Peak Aerobic Velocity Continued Technical Improvements and Physical Literacy Scottish FA School of Football

Developing the Player Athletes who miss this stage of training will never reach their full potential, regardless of compensatory programmes they may participate in Istvan Balyi 2002 Scottish FA School of Football

The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Talent ID Meetings with parents and young people References from teachers Reference from coaches Skills tests Physical tests Observation of games Observation of training Scottish FA School of Football

The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Staffing Football Coach – Scottish FA Sports Scientist – Scottish Institute of Sport Strength & Conditioning Coach – Scottish Institute of Sport Speed/Power Coach – Scottish Institute of Sport Physiotherapist/Doctor – Sports Medicine Centre, Hampden Scottish FA School of Football

The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Timetable - example MTWTFSS Active Recovery & Regeneration [swimming & flexibility Coordination & Technical Technical Session Sports specific agility, balance and coordination GAME Club Training AM PM EVE Scottish FA School of Football

Scottish FA Football Academy The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Programme – individualised according to test results and development age For each player Modified school timetable Active recovery and regeneration [swimming and flexibility] Physical development sports specific strength and conditioning Speed and power Co-ordination and technical

The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council The Training Environment Educational environment Positive atmosphere Creative atmosphere Developmental culture Challenging throughout the educational and sports programmes Scottish FA School of Football

The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Management and Communication Local Authority and Scottish FA Head Teacher Head of PE SFA Regional Manager SFA Head of Youth Development Clubs Head of Youth Coaches Coaches/Scientists Scottish FA School of Football

The Scottish FA & Midlothian Council Monitoring & Evaluation – how can we tell if we are successful? Regular evaluations of programme to check the fit within the school environment Educational evaluation [school reports, results etc] Skills tests Physical tests Coaches evaluation at training and games Selection for club Selection for national teams trials Use of technology Scottish FA School of Football