Learning the Fundamentals

• It is a important prerequisite  that youth coaches have a solid knowledge of age group characteristics  of youth – knowledge of the anatomical . physiological , psychological and social factors – that control the process of basic football development
• Of paramount importance is the acknowledgements and application in development programmes of particularities and genetic make up of SOUTH African youth .- football brain  predispositions for constructive and attractive play ., smaller body frame , significant  ,coordination , flexibility and quickness {agility } factor improvisation and movement creativity and excellent natural capacities for high aerobic /anaerobic effort .
• Various foreign concepts of a players development “ imported”or adapted from DUTCH ,GERMAN , ENGLISH  etc youth coaching programme for the use of SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL are designed for Different AND CONTRASTING  CHILD”S BIO- SOCIAL AND ENVIROMENT PROFILE  the positive  effects of imported youth coaching  solutions on SOUTH AFRICAN  young players  are HIGHLY DETRIMENTAL .
• Maximising the effectiveness of technique and mastering exquisite ball skills is vital for SOUTH AFRICAN players  due  to their natural limitations  on body size  and certain aspects of physical strength .
• Depending  on the  RELEVANCY OF EXPERTISE  AND TRAINING CONDITIONS  AND ENVIROMENT  a programme for early youth development could be the beginning of a passion for life or a traumatic experience followed by failure .
• Proper conditions  such good quality practice grounds , sufficient balls {one ball for each player } dribbling poles , elastic ropes  for resistances training bibs, small hurdles  and shooting nets are essential for optimizing childrens development.

• Poor quality pitches [BUMPY } HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT  IN THE     DEVELOPMENT  OF YOUNG PLAYERS .IT IS CONFIRMED ,particularly in the learning  of tactics that the unpredictability of the ball control and dribbling on bumpy grounds forces the players to continuously  focus on the ball . This makes it impossible for the player to observe his team mates and opponents and minimize tactical development.

• Training in the youth
• development  program is non  seasonal , year in and year our .
• ADDITIONAL HOME WORK  comprising simple tasks such as improving ball juggling  or practicing quick turns  with the ball
• Working with large groups of young players eg over 20 participants,  it is NOT CONDUCIVE to quality learning and training . The idea of 4-a-sided games is essential giving the player more touches with the ball .

 
 – Babes Govender (Head Coach)