1. JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

2. Welcome JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

3. What is in Store? PART 1 Why are you here? PART 1 Why are you here? PART 2 Physiological Characteristics of Junior Football PART 2 Physiological Characteristics of Junior Football PART 3 Growth and Maturation Considerations PART 3 Growth and Maturation Considerations PART 4 Physical Training Emphasis in NZ Football PART 4 Physical Training Emphasis in NZ Football PART 5 Fundamental Movement Patterns PART 5 Fundamental Movement Patterns PART 6 Speed and Agility PART 6 Speed and Agility JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness PART 7 Practical PART 7 Practical

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5. Ice Breakers Why are you here? What do you want to achieve? JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

6. To provide you with the tools to incorporate football fitness components within your regular practice to develop WELL BALANCED AND INJURY FREE junior players Aim 3 To develop an understanding of the PHYSICAL TRAINING EMPHASIS at the junior level to develop optimal training material for that age Aim 2 To gain knowledge around GROWTH AND MATURATION and the PHYSIOLOGICAL DEMANDS of junior football Aim 1 Workshop Aims JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

7. JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Outcomes THEORY PRACTICAL Knowledge in growth and maturation and motor skill development Knowledge in physical training emphasis of junior football Knowledge in physiological demands of junior football Integrating age appropriate football fitness within the Junior Framework games and activities Gaining practical experience using age appropriate resources

8. Which physical skills do you consider most important? How do you break down these skills? What activities do you use? What do you Currently Do? JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

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10. Physiological Demands of Junior Football JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Technique and Skill Junior football is NOT adult football Different heart rates, differences in playing positions Implications for coaches: No set positions (everyone should play every position) Smaller pitch size equals more touches, less tackles and is more suitable for childrens activity

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12. Growth and Maturation DEFINITIONS Growth refers to the increase in size from conception to adulthood Maturation refers to the timing and progress towards the physically fully mature state. Individual players may develop physically toward maturity at very different rates JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

13. Growth and Maturation JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Variation in growth and maturation of a child can have profound effects upon aspects of physical activity, physical fitness and physical performance Emphasis on neuromuscular/coordination training in junior football to take advantage of the natural neuroplasticity at that age.

14. Peak Height Velocity – The Growth Spurt JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness General Physical Development

15. Misconceptions in Talent ID RELATIVE AGE EFFECT JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness 1 st Quartile 2 nd Quartile 3 rd Quartile 4 th Quartile Older and more mature players are consistently selected for teams in football Coaches need to provide younger and less mature players with the same learning opportunities to emphasise personal development rather than competitive results Reasons Include: More experience in the sport Greater physical abilities Higher motivation due to success Reasons Include: More experience in the sport Greater physical abilities Higher motivation due to success

16. Summary The neurological system develops 98% during the junior football years. Players ability to learn physical movements and coordination is high Changes in performance due to growth and maturation occur at different times relative to the individual players PHV/growth spurt The physical training of junior footballers should emphasis neuromuscular adaptations (players ability to learn new movements) that are beneficial to the long term development of players Consider individual timing and tempo of maturation in TID by taking PHV/growth spurt into account JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

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19. The Session Breakdown JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Fun Football Mini Football

20. The Funnel of the Physical Corner JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Fundamental Movement Pattern Fundamental Skills Football Specific Skills

21. Summary The Junior Framework training components relate specifically to the physical aspect of the four corners approach. About 10 minutes per session can be specifically given to the development of the physical corner, usually in the General Movement component Physical development needs to follow a structured pattern from the most basic movement to the most complex JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

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23. Benefits of Fundamental Movement Patterns (FMP) JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

24. FMP Progression JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness There are several basic exercises that provide FMP’s relevant to the needs of Junior players. These should be introduced in Fun Football and Mini Football. Fun FootballMini Football 1. Body Weight Squat 2. Body Weight Good Morning 3. Kung Fu Kicks 4. Push Up – Plank Position4. Push Up 5. Statue of Liberty 6. Drop and Stick6. Vertical Jumps 7. Jumping and Landing - Strong7. Broad Jumps 8. Intro. Lunge8. Walking Lunge

25. Summary FMP exercises should follow a set progression through the junior years FMP’s form the base of the physical corner in junior football and can be included in every session (maximum of 10 reps per set split into 1-3 sets) FMP exercises should never be used as a punishment or consequence for negative results (i.e. losing team, slowest runner etc.) JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness

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27. Re-cap JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Differences in growth and maturation Gender differences between boys and girls Windows of accelerated development of speed Boys: ♂ 5-9 Girls: ♀ 5-9 and 11-12

28. Developmental Age JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Females

29. The Physical Corner - Implications for Coaches JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Junior players are often uncoordinated – exercises should involve coordination with the ball, & hopping, bounding, stepping and bouncing around/over cones Girls develop at different times meaning they can begin more specific physical training earlier

30. Integration of Speed & Agility into Sessions JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness 4-9 year olds: Occurs mainly in General Movement component 8-12 year olds: Begins to become involved in Football Coordination, Football Technique and SSG’s too There should be an emphasis on ‘all out’ intensity over a short duration i.e. Distance: 15m max. Duration: 15 sec. max. Preferably delivered as part of the General Movement component

31. Discovery Phase (4 – 6 years) Leg swing is limited, with a stiff uneven stride Little flight phase between the legs hitting the ground Little arm swing out from the body Feet are placed wide apart from each other Learning Phases: Running JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Developing Phase (6-8 years) A more even running stride Limited flight phase Back leg extends more to provide forward momentum Arm swing is closer to the body Consolidation Phase (9 – 12 years) Even rhythm with a definite flight phase and appropriate stride length Pushing-off leg extends in hip, knee, and ankle Arms bent at elbows (90°) and swing back and forward

32. Learning Cues - Running JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Lean body slightly forward Hold head up/look slightly forward Lift knees Bend arms at the elbow, swing arms backward and forward from the elbow Push off with the balls of the feet As running speed increases, arm action increases

33. Jumping JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Four phases The preparation phase The take off phase The flight phase The landing phase

34. Developing Phase (6 – 8 years) More involvement in preparation and lift-off phase – arms initiate movement Flexion and extension is present but not to its limits during different phases Extension of legs is more consistent Consolidation Phase (9 – 12 years) Proper arm involvement in preparation and lift-off phase (arms behind body in preparation phase) Flexion and extension in different body parts is consistent and coordinated with arms Legs (hip, knee and ankle) are fully extended at take-off phase supported by arms reaching into desired direction Learning Phases: Jumping JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Discovery Phase (4 – 6 years) Limited arm action during preparation and push-off phase – lots of arm action during flight to maintain balance Poor flexion and extension of body parts. Little height or distance is achieved Poorly coordinated arm movement with legs

35. Learning Cues - Jumping JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Bend knees Explode into the desired direction and extend hips, knees and ankles Swing your arms accordingly to the direction (Jump for height = upward swing, Jump for distance = upward/forward swing) Push off from toes Land with knees bent to absorb the shock

36. Summary JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness Each of the fundamental skills have a specific learning process (discovery, developing, consolidation) that must be followed Speed and agility share similar qualities at this age and must be emphasised through games with purpose Fundamental movement patterns have a considerable impact on the development of fundamental skills

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38. Adding FMP Exercise to Games JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Football Fitness High energy games/activities The focus is on speed, agility, balance and coordination The games/activities allow a large variation of movement Aim to integrate at least 3 FMP exercies into the game/activity: (maximum of 10 reps per set split into 1-3 sets) FMP exercises can be introduced into appropriate Football Coordination and Football Technique games/activities also

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45. Putting theory into Practice THEORY Personal Practical Knowledge Personal Practical Knowledge Informed Decision Maker Informed Decision Maker Programme of PracticeKNOWLEDGE Self development opportunities (club, RST, other coaches, other resources) JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Technique and Skill

46. Next Steps THEORY INTO PRACTICE Use your resources as a constant reminder Complete the Ongoing Coach Development Tasks Challenge yourself each week to meet the needs of your players Enjoy making a positive impact with your players NEXT STEP Work with your club coordinator to develop your coaching over the year Level 2 – Junior Football Coaching modules OR Level 3 Junior Federation and NZF formal and informal coaches network JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Technique and Skill

47. Goal Setting IDENTIFY AND WRITE DOWN THREE ACTION POINTS THAT WILL HELP IMPROVE YOUR COACHING JUNIOR LEVEL 2 Technique and Skill