Long-Term Player Development...plan from Scottish FA!
I am doing some research on Player Development and thought I would start to pass on some of the interesting articles I am finding from other organizations...
From the Scottish FA from Feb 2009...
The Scottish FA has launched their new Developing Talent Plan which outlines the Scottish FA's method for the development of all players.
The plan has been informed by the principles of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) and sets out the player centred approach to help players achieve their full potential.
In essence it is about doing the right things at the right time and in the right way to produce a progressive and logical player pathway that will give players the best chance to reach their potential at what ever level.
For the first time the development of the player is seen as a long term process which can take 10 years and it outlines the roles of the coaches, parents, administrators and players at each stage of development. The process emphasises episodes of performance over the long term rather than just the winning as a short term peaking for the weekend objective.
The Scottish FA has outlined the stages of development as follows:
1. Desire to Play Phase – age: Males 6-9/ Females 6-8 (4v4)
2. Learning to Play phase – age: Males 9-12/Females 8-11 (4v4 + 7v7)
3. Developing the Player phase -: Males 12-16/Females 11-15 (7v7 + Dev 11v11)
4. Preparing to Compete – Males16-18/Females 15 -17 ( 11v11)
5. Preparing to Win – Males 18+/ Females 17+ (11v11)
Each phase of the Developing Talent Programme has an associated game format that is designed to allow the player to develop in a playing environment that is most suited to their age and stage of development.
Interview Neil Mackintosh
Scottish FA Head of Youth Development
SFA_DTP_Brochure2.pdf
From the Scottish FA from Feb 2009...
The Scottish FA has launched their new Developing Talent Plan which outlines the Scottish FA's method for the development of all players.
The plan has been informed by the principles of Long Term Player Development (LTPD) and sets out the player centred approach to help players achieve their full potential.
In essence it is about doing the right things at the right time and in the right way to produce a progressive and logical player pathway that will give players the best chance to reach their potential at what ever level.
For the first time the development of the player is seen as a long term process which can take 10 years and it outlines the roles of the coaches, parents, administrators and players at each stage of development. The process emphasises episodes of performance over the long term rather than just the winning as a short term peaking for the weekend objective.
The Scottish FA has outlined the stages of development as follows:
1. Desire to Play Phase – age: Males 6-9/ Females 6-8 (4v4)
2. Learning to Play phase – age: Males 9-12/Females 8-11 (4v4 + 7v7)
3. Developing the Player phase -: Males 12-16/Females 11-15 (7v7 + Dev 11v11)
4. Preparing to Compete – Males16-18/Females 15 -17 ( 11v11)
5. Preparing to Win – Males 18+/ Females 17+ (11v11)
Each phase of the Developing Talent Programme has an associated game format that is designed to allow the player to develop in a playing environment that is most suited to their age and stage of development.
Interview Neil Mackintosh
Scottish FA Head of Youth Development
SFA_DTP_Brochure2.pdf
Comment
-
Comment by Lisa Cole on January 4, 2010 at 11:54pm -
Tim,
Without being to critical of the USSF, like you said we are talking about very different countries. I am impressed with how the Scottish FA is putting out good information for their membership, especially a statement on youth player development. Giving clubs/coaches a guideline to work within.
Right now in the US, I feel that youth player development is just starting to be addressed by USSF on the boys side with the academy program but very little is happening with the guidance of USSF outside of that program. This is leaving clubs/coaches that want to play less games, increase training time, focus on technical development, tactics and general player development without support.
As we know parents want to WIN games, collect trophy's, and have their children seen by college coaches, etc. With a statement from the federation I think you help coaches and clubs be able to justify a better approach to player development.
Again it is hard to come up with one system that works in a country this big but I think USSF can do more to help youth player development improve. The "Best Practices" is a start, the academy is a start but until we can give clubs/coaches more facts and information to support a good player development model, it is going to be hard for them not to focus on winning in the current youth soccer environment.
Glad you liked the information, I will keep passing good things on. Lisa
-
Comment by Tim Horton on January 4, 2010 at 8:10pm -
Great information Lisa. I always think it is interesting to read how other National Federations present their philosophy for player development and the language they use.
Based on your research so far, are they any key differences between the Scottish FA and the US Soccer Federation's philosphies towards player development? Are there any ideas that we in the US could learn from?
I know that it can be hard to compare two countries that are so different in size, population and soccer cultures but I don't think the stages of development differ that much between countries. I would equate this brochure as the equivalent of the USSF "Best Practices" document, would you agree. However I think the SFA have done a much better job of presenting it.
Cheers
Tim
-
Comment by John Barata on December 28, 2009 at 6:41am -
Thanks for sharing the information. It is very insightful.
I think this is terrific information that needs to be shared with ALL coaches. Many coaches feel that WINNING is important as early as U10. This development model clearly outlines that winning is NOT the goal at the early ages. Rather we must focus on guiding our players towards developing a PASSION for the game, then assist them in developing the basic individual skills and slowly progress to group play, team play, and competition.
Look forward to other comments...
-
Comment by Tim Horton on December 27, 2009 at 12:44am
-
HI Lisa,
thanks for posting this information. I thought the Brochure was excellent at outlining their player development plan as a Federation and has a lot of useful information. In your opinion from what you have observed so far, what do you think we can learn from the Scottish FA here in the US?
Cheers
Tim
© 2012 Created by Tim Horton.
You need to be a member of Soccer Interactive.com to add comments!
Join Soccer Interactive.com