In August 2007 the English Football Association Learning Department introduced a new practical coaching curriculum for the FA Level 2 Coaching badge. This is radically different from the old FA Level 2 course and provides coaches who are taking or considering taking the FA Level 2 Coaching badge with a challenging, innovative and interesting educational experience.
The curriculum is designed to help coaches coach the basic unopposed techniques of football, develop these techniques into skill practices. The skill practices should be designed to pose questions of the players abilities and decisions to select and implement the correct technique when under pressure from opponents. Finally, the skill should then be progressed to a 4 v 4 game, that can include floating players, serving players and goalkeepers, which allow the players to further develop their techniques and skills in realistic game situations.
Unlike the previous FA Level 2, there isn't a set series of practices and sessions that the candidates on the FA Level 2 course must adhere to. The premise of the new practical course curriculum is to lay down a foundation of practical topics, help candidates understand how the structure of the sessions should encourage the players to have lots of opportunities to use and develop the technique of the specific topic, to highlight the key technical factors involved in each topic and then challenge the decision making process of the players use of the technique by developing the technique session into a skill and then onto a game.
The new FA Level 2 badge challenges the coaches to think for themselves, be innovative and design, plan and then coach their own sessions, using what they have learnt on the course as a foundation for this process.
But, for many coaches taking this FA Level 2 qualification, there is a great deal to take on board. Not only do they have to play in the sessions, take notes and understand the structure of the sessions and how these are related and linked to the topic. But, they also need to be able to understand and apply how and why the key technical factors are applicable to each topic and how these technical factors need to be progressed into a skill that challenges the decision making process of the players. The candidate then has to coach all the techniques and skills in a 4 v 4 conditioned game. In addition, the candidates have to then design their own technique, skill and game session and coach them on the internal and external assessments on the course as well as coaching them at their own clubs.
One of our football coaches Mike Trusson said the following:
"As a FA Qualified Level 2 Tutor I attended a number of induction courses where the new practical curriculum was explained and demonstrated. I have also now delivered a number of FA Level 2 Courses using this new curriculum and there is no doubt in my mind that the new Level 2 is a far better course. It is much more relevant to football, it is far more interesting, dynamic, innovative and exciting. The end result is coaches who go back to their clubs far better equipped to provide and stimulate players with exciting sessions that will better develop technical skills and sessions that are structured to progress the players learning through posing real, match like situations that test their decision making process in the correct use of these techniques and skills.
Whilst tutoring on the new FA Level 2 courses, I was struck by the fact that the candidates on the course had a lot of new and different coaching information to contend with and precious little in the way of educational support, outside of the practical demonstrations on the course, to help them with learning, planning and implementing the coaching sessions that form the new practical curriculum.
The information contained within the online educational resource is structured to the requirements of the new FA Level 2 practical curriculum and whilst the sessions are suggested practices, they lay down the principles and the structures that candidates will be taught on the course. Each topic has its own online video tutorial along with down loadable print outs of the sessions. In addition, as a member of grassrootscoaching.com, you will have full access to our easy to use design software Coaches Chalkboard, which will allow you to plan, design, save, share and print your own innovative sessions, which is a major requirement of the new FA level 2 badge . "
TO GET ALL THE UPTO DATE LEVEL 2 PLANS CLICK HERE.Football Coaching
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Progression 1
Organisation
Grid 10 x 20m
Four players
Player in middle passes ball to end and becomes passive defender
Player touches ball to side
Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 and runs in a s a passive defender
Player 2 controls the ball to the side and plays it to player 3 at the other end.
End product (pass).
Alternate sides, e.g. 4 throws to 3.
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Progression 2
Organisation
Grid 10 x 10m
Four players
Players stand on their own line around a square
Practice control and disguise.
Key Points
Go backwards if pass is too hard to cushion the ball without crossing across the line
Direction of control to create space.
Progressions
One, then two defenders and open the grid out.
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On the Ground
Key Points
Ready to Receive
Body language and communication play an important roll in telling the player on the ball that you want to receive the pass. Face the player on the ball and communicate for the ball loud and clearly. As the player prepares for the incoming ball make sure their body is relaxed, the head is still and they are on the tips of their toes. The player should have an open 'body position' facing the ball and not be half turned. Remember it is not easy to move backwards when controlling the ball.
Get into Line
The player must keep a close eye on the ball as it comes towards them. Their arms should be out for balance. As they prepare for the incoming ball make sure the player's body is relaxed, their head is still and they are on the tips of their toes. If the head moves out of line, it is difficult to bring the controlling surface into line. It is rarely possible to watch the ball all the way to the actual moment of contact. Therefore, when practicing, even without opposition, players should learn not to fix their eyes on the ball throughout its flight; they should look away to check on the position of their opponents and to look for any forward passing opportunity. Judgement comes from experience and awareness of where team mates are, of where opponents are, and of what is possible. Keep looking around, before you get the ball, so you already know where players are when it arrives.
Once this is done, the most important thing is to keep the head steady and to move the controlling surface into the line of flight, and to concentrate on making a good contact with the ball.
Decision
Decide early what part of the foot you are going to use to control the ball. Early decisions give time: time to become composed and time to concentrate on technical performance. Move the controlling surface into the line of flight.
First Touch
A good first touch should guide the ball into space so the player can, protect the ball from any challenging player and be able to pass or shoot the ball without readjusting their body and losing valuable time. When the ball is coming towards the player they should automatically be thinking of the next move and be preparing for it so they can guide the ball to the place they need to leave the ball. The player should be relaxed and the head should be still because if a player becomes tense, their movements become jerky rather than smooth and flowing.
Good ball control does not mean killing the ball dead beneath the foot. This is poor technique, as it requires another, 'setting up' touch or it requires the player to move backwards before the ball can be played positively, wasting a precious second or two. Make sure your first touch nudges the ball slightly ahead of you, so you can pass, shoot or move away.
Failure to bring the ball under control with the first touch will certainly mean the loss of a little time. If there is an opponent challenging the ball may also be lost in a quick tackle. Remember that a good first touch keeps the ball moving, so use the inside, outside or instep of your foot rather than the sole. Try to slow the ball down and position it in one smooth movement.
Techniques
Cushioning
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Taking the speed out of the ball just as a cushion would if it was attached to your foot. It slows the ball down without making it bounce away. As the ball travels towards you, position your foot in line with it to receive it. On making contact, relax your foot and let it travel back with the ball. The speed of the ball is absorbed. It slows down and you can play it away.
The Wedge Control
In this type of control the ball is normally wedged between the controlling surface and the ground, as happens when the sole of the foot is used.
Using the Inside of your Foot
Watch the ball as it approaches and place your foot in line with it. Balance on one leg with your receiving foot turned out. As you receive the ball with the inside of your foot, relax your leg and foot so that they travel back with it. The ball should drop just in front of your feet. Keep the ball moving.
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Using the Outside of your Foot
If you are going to use the outside of your foot, decide to do so early and turn so your side faces the ball. Knees flexed with low centre of gravity. Lift your leg to receive the ball with the outside of your foot. Relax your foot back and down to the ground. Extend receiving foot down and rotate inward. Push the ball to the outside with the same foot or across your body with either foot.
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Using your Instep
Move into line, square shoulders with flight of ball
Raise feet 12-18 inches off the floor
Imagine that your shoe is a baseball glove and that you are going to catch the ball on the instep of your foot
To control the ball with your instep, make sure you are facing the ball with your arms out for balance
Lift your foot, but keep it flat. If you point your toes up the ball will probably bounce off them
Head steady watch the ball
Just as you receive the ball, lower your foot to the ground, letting the ball drop off it in front of you.
Drop the ball within range of control, protect from nearby opponents.
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Arial Control
Using your Thigh
The instep is not always your best choice for receiving a lofted ball. For example, the angle at which the ball is dropping or the presence of nearby opponents sometimes makes it impossible to use the instep technique.
Watch the ball carefully so that you can judge where it will land
Bend your knee to meet the ball, using your arms for balance
Raise your receiving leg so that your thigh is parallel with the ground
Receive the ball on the mid thigh area and withdraw your leg downward at the instant the ball arrives
On making contact straighten your leg gradually so that the ball drops off your thigh in front of your feet
If you cushion the ball properly it shouldn't sting your leg
Be mentally relaxed. If a player becomes tense, his movements become jerky rather than smooth and flowing
Keep the head steady
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Using your Foot
Keep your arms out for balance
Lift your leg to meet the ball
Catch it with the inside of your foot
Without hooking your foot completely under the ball, drop it down to the ground, dragging the ball down with it
Using your Chest
Your chest is good for cushioning because it is bigger that any other part of your body. Keep your hands open, because clenching your fist makes your chest muscles tighten and they need to relax. Keep your arms out of the way, too, to avoid handling the ball.
Put your arms back and open your chest as the ball arrives
Arch your upper body slightly backward from the vertical and receive the ball on the central area of your chest
As the ball makes contact with you cushion it by letting yourself relax
Bring your shoulders in and hollow your chest, so that the ball rolls off you
The lower chest can be used as a wedge to force the ball down toward the ground. The wedge is characterised by a rigid controlling surface
The ball drops to the ground gently and you are able to play your next move
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Control Heading
Use a control header to cushion the ball if you want to play the next move yourself instead of passing
Don't lean quite as far back as the ball approaches.
Stay relaxed and provide a cushion for the ball
Hold your position as you receive the ball. Bend your knees and lean back slightly further
Angle your head back, focus on the ball and receive the ball on the flat surface of your forehead
Push the ball forward gently, so that it drops and lands not far from your feet
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If you need to Jump
Use a two footed takeoff to jump. Leave the ground early so as to contact the ball at the highest point of your jump. If you've properly timed your jump, you will start descending to the ground the instance the ball contacts your forehead. The downward motion of your body will soften the impact of the ball.
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The Key Points
Ready to receive
Get into line
First touch
Always keep the ball moving
Technique of turn.
Positive attitude towards turn.
Accelerate away.
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The Turns
Keep your eyes on the ball and every time you take a touch look up to see where you are going and where the position of defenders and attackers are because the picture can change at any time.
The Stop Turn
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Trap the ball with your favoured foot/leading foot by placing it on top of the ball, therefore stopping it. Let your momentum take you over the top of the ball and get into a half turned position with your left leg balancing you and your right leg directly behind the ball. Carry on turning so now you have turned through 180 degrees, regain your balance and use the outside of the right foot to push the ball away to safety.
The Drag Back
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Pretend that you are going to kick the ball with an exaggerated movement. Instead trap the ball with your favoured foot/leading foot by placing it on top of the ball, make sure the heel of your right foot is touching the surface of the ball and that the left foot is planted firmly next to the ball. Lean forwards and drag the ball back with the sole of your foot moving the ball from heel to toe (heel first, toe last). Finish by turning the back the way you came and accelerating away.
The Cruyff Turn
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Pretend that you are going to kick/cross the ball with an exaggerated movement. Instead of kicking the ball, use the right toe of the kicking foot to flick the ball back in the direction you have come from. Bring the ball back behind the standing foot and take it away.
The Step Over
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Lean over the ball with your arms out for balance and protection. When you are a good step away from the defender you can perform the step over, you have to be far enough away not to be tackled and close enough for the dummy/feint to work. Get down low and move your right foot so it appears that you are about to play an outside hook to the right side of the body (exaggerate the movement). Instead of playing the ball take a step over the ball to the right by moving the right foot over the ball and past it, transfer your body weight quickly back to your left side and then with the outside of the left foot hook the ball to the left of your body. (Play the ball approximately 1 yard in front of you, approach the ball straight on and pretend to pass the ball with the outside of the Foot. Lift your Foot over the ball and transfer you weight to that foot. Spin back and play the ball with the outside of the other foot.
The Inside Hook
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Take a long stride over the ball and pull the ball into your Body.
The Outside Hook
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Position your Foot level with the ball and move it with the outside of your Foot.
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