Tecnico Coaching exists to give every child the very best start in football we believe that a player’s technique and technical development is the most important aspect of football. Every skill or component in football requires a great deal of technique. We believe that football should be played by creative players who are able to execute the technical aspects of the game with ease and consistency. We believe that players should have the tools and experiences required to make the correct decisions and take responsibility in games thus helping them to stand out from the other players. Only hard work, effort, determination and practice will help players to improve, and we are very confident of producing excellent footballers regardless of experience alongside high quality coaching. All we ask for is an excellent attitude from all players to their training sessions. At Tecnico Coaching we follow a simple HOW, WHERE, WHEN method. This is a logical order by which players are able to develop and fulfil their potential. The HOW process breaks down the technique and teaches the players how to execute the technique with both feet – unopposed and under pressure. The WHERE process starts to teach the players where certain techniques and skills can and should be performed. Players should begin to understand the importance of decision making and the factors that may aid or hinder the decision making process. This process encourages players to ‘scan’/ take a picture of play whilst or before they receive the ball. This gives the player more time to make a decision. The WHEN process has a focus on when to execute the relevant technique or skill. Players will understand how making the right decision in games can take them from a good player to an excellent player. This process encourages the player to take responsibility for their decisions. When do I pass? When do I shoot? When do I move to create space for a team mate? With the help of the coach, players will find the answers to these questions. The FA have an aim “To produce technically excellent and innovative players”. Tecnico has the philosophy, belief, an innovative programme that has been built over many years of coaching. We would argue that in England we have some very good players, but do we have great players? Players who are comfortable on the ball in all situations? Players who can unlock a defence with one pass? Players who can win the ball in defence and use it creatively higher up the pitch? Players who are willing to trust their team mates in tight situations? Players who take responsibility on the pitch? At present, we do not have players who are able to do all of the above. This is due to lack of emphasis on technique from an early age at a grass roots level. At Tecnico Coaching we aim to ’equip’ our players with the tools required to be a technically excellent, innovative, creative and responsible player. Our Coaching sessions aim to give the highest standard of coaching with small class ratio’s so every child gets the best out of every session. We believe in Nurture not Nature and quality over quantity to help every child to play at their highest level. With our coaching expertise your child gets the best in coaching standards and value, you will see results in a very short period of time, whatever your child’s standard of play. We use the game of Futsal as a development tool for the very young footballers to develop fast feet and excellent technical and tactical awareness. Many of the top world class footballers played Futsal in their youth and credit the game for their footballing development; players of the calibre of Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Lionel Messi to name but a few of the South American legends all played and enjoyed Futsal. Futsal has not just helped produce South American football stars, on the European stage Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, Zidane and Fabregas are amongst many others that have played Futsal to develop their skills, by spending more time with the ball and achieving technical competence before moving onto the physical and tactical side of the game. We believe a child first has to become a good person before becoming a good player. Enabling the players to execute the various techniques and skills involved in football – unopposed and under pressure (game situations). Players will have the ability to perform the techniques with both feet to ensure they are ready for any given situation on the pitch. Players will use their imagination to outwit their opponents. This may be a trick to beat an opponent in a 1 v 1 situation. It may be a player putting their own spin on an existing skill. Players will have the ability to produce the pass, dribble or movement that creates a goal scoring opportunity. Players will develop ideas to break down a defence or attack. Creativity relates nicely to ‘Decision Making’. Players must have the ability to make decisions during the game. It is the decision making process that separates the good players from the excellent and World Class players Taking responsibility on the pitch is an important aspect of football. A responsible player takes ‘responsibility’ for the actions they take. Team mates ‘trust’ them to make the correct decisions. With our training approach at Tecnico Coaching it will give players in time superb technical ability. We expect many Tecnico players to stand out and be noticed by professional clubs academies, who realise the good standard of footballers we are producing at Tecnico as we want every player to compete at the highest level.

An essential element of successful football performance is to accelerate, change direction quickly and deceive the opposition; performing these movements while dribbling requires considerable effort and control. This requires both speed and agility.

In football, the ability to accelerate, decelerate and rapid movements in all directions is more important than simply running fast.

To analyse these key aspects, we need to consider the components of speed and agility separately.

These are:

• Speed - force required to facilitate acceleration, deceleration and change direction
• Agility - ability to explosively brake, change direction and accelerate again

Speed and agility training is an integral part of training for all top players. It is required to perform the following movements:

• Dribbling
• Evading tackles
• Chasing the opposition
• Change direction quickly
• Start and stop effectively
• React to situations
• Retreating to referees and assistant referee commands
• Avoiding injury

There is a great deal of TECHNIQUE required in order to be able to run at speed (with and without the ball) and be able to change direction (with and without the ball). The Tecnico Coaching programme will ensure that young players are able to improve their game related speed and agility through fun practices and detailed sessions and coaching points.

At Tecnico Coaching we believe that if a player has their body between the ball and opponent, the opposition should not be able to get the ball back. It is important that all players know how to get their body in a strong position to protect the ball.

The programme ensures players are confident when protecting the ball and regaining possession of the ball. We encourage players to stabilise their core and work on their balance to protect the ball.

Players should work on the physical attributes (strength conditioning) post 16 years of age or when physically developed. Players who have learnt the importance of balance and the position of the body when protecting the ball will have an advantage over players that have not learnt this.

This aspect relates to players being aware of the changing situations that occur within a game. It is closely linked to decision making. A players ‘game awareness’ can relate to their understanding of the different position roles on the pitch.

More importantly, the key aspect has a focus on ‘thinking ahead’, reading the specific situation before the opponents. If a player is able to do this, they will have an advantage over their opposite number.

Without doubt, there is a TECHNIQUE to game awareness. At Tecnico Coaching we encourage all players to perform the ‘shoulder look’. This requires the player to regularly look over their shoulder so they can scan the pitch or area and see where the space is and where their opponents and team mates are. The coaches at Tecnico will show and explain how players can do this throughout the game.

This relates to how, where and when individual skills and techniques could or should be performed. It relates to on the ball and off the ball situations. It also refers to anticipating the next play or movement. A player is at an advantage if they are one step ahead of their opponents.

The programme at Tecnico Coaching ensures players improve their decision making skills. Players are able to do this by constantly being put in game related situations.

Players are always making decisions. Repetition of these situations ensures the player is able to experience the changing factors and react to them accordingly. The experienced coaches at Tecnico Coaching can add value to the players ‘decision making development’ by giving excellent feedback at the right time.

At Tecnico Coaching, we believe that practice and excellent relevant coaching and feedback is what improves a player. Some players may be born with physical attributes – height, build etc. but technical attributes are learned and can be developed.

Players can learn the relevant skills by analysing footage of great players in action and breaking down the technique step by step. Tecnico Coaching have a range of footage of the current great players performing game related skills. We show the footage, demonstrate the technique and break down how it is performed. Once the players understand ‘how’ to perform the technique, the coaches at Tecnico Coaching ensure they are able to perform the techniques and skills at speed and with both feet – thus equipping them with tools to adapt to the changing situations within a game.

The Tecnico Coaching approach has the emphasis on skill and mastering of technique.

All of the Tecnico Coaching approach is linked and we believe to be a complete player, one must master all of the Key elements to develop oneself into a complete player.

Change of Direction and Speed. It is one thing being able to dribble and run with the ball unopposed, it is another thing dribbling and running with the ball under pressure. This element ensures players are able to execute the dribbling and running with the ball technique unopposed, opposed, with both feet and at speed.

The players will learn how to change direction and speed without the ball, so as to lose opponents in game situations. Once players understand how to change direction and speed without the ball, they are able to practice and learn the technique with the ball.

• Body position and stabilisation of body
• Incorporating ball ability and ABC + S
• Being on their toes in order to accelerate and change direction quickly
• Adding disguise and ‘shock’ to lose an opponent
• How to touch the ball – big or small touches?
• Eyes up – able to see opponents, space, GK and teammates
• End product

Beating an Opponent and Defending an Opponent. This focus not only encourages players to be creative in attacking situations but it also encourages players to read opponents moves in order to win the ball back and retain possession.

Players will learn and experiment different ways to beat an opponent in 1 v 1 and small sided situations. Players will perform the techniques unopposed to practice and understand the technique. They will then move on to performing the techniques opposed, with both feet and at speed.

To be a complete player, one must be able to defend as well as attack. This focus encourages players to not only win the ball back and learn ways in which to tackle, but also keep possession of the ball once it has been won.

Once the ‘how’ has been mastered in this focus, players must understand the where and when. This will be learned through the players experiencing different, game related situations.

Players will know the importance of:

• Being creative and experimenting
• Incorporating ball ability and ABC + S
• Incorporating Change of Direction and Speed
• Executing the technique at speed and with both feet
• Ensuring the first touch is good
• Getting the body in the correct position when attacking and defending
• Being able to win the ball back, protect and regain possession
• Knowing when and where to perform the technique
• End product

Passing the ball is one of the key skills to master. Good passing leads to increased possession and a greater chance of victory in a match, because without the ball, how can you expect to score a goal. Players will learn and practice different ways of passing that can work outside of the standard side foot pass.

Side Foot Short Pass: The easiest and most used pass in football. Every player must know how to do this properly.

Lofted Pass: A lofted pass is a pass made through the air. The ball is knocked into the air over your opposition and into the pass of your team-mates.

The Wall Pass: A wall pass is a quick pass to a team-mate, who then returns the ball to you with one touch as you run into space. Effective for beating defenders and catching your opponents off guard.

Through Ball: A through ball is a pass made into open space where a team-mate can run onto it. Great for beating defenders to create openings.

Switching Play: Playing a ball across the field into space for a team-mate to move onto it..

Passing a straight ball to a diagonal running team mate.

Passing a diagonal ball to a straight running team mate.

Play a short pass so that the receiver has to come to the ball and create space.

Play a long pass so that the receiver can turn and run into space to receive it.

Passing the ball to the feet of your team mate. Take it to the next level and practice passing to the correct foot of your team mate.

Passing the ball into the space in front of your team mate for them to run onto it.

All 3 stages of the method are just as important as the other. Without the HOW you are unable to move on to the WHERE. Without the WHERE, a player cannot move on to the WHEN. This all comes in the players decision making that they remember, “don’t just pass for the sake of it”

Often players can play “safe” and play a simple pass, a square pass, a back pass when a much more dangerous pass was available, again, this can be as a result of unfair criticism if the pass was unsuccessful. It is a fine balance between playing the simple, safe pass and achieving nothing except for keeping possession and being creative, being daring, being exciting and attempting a pass that is from another planet and maybe as a result winning the game!

So learn when and where to play the safe pass and when and where to go for the daring killer pass. If in doubt, keep it safe, but if you see an opportunity to go for it, GO FOR IT!

Players will enjoy receiving the ball, enjoy passing to a team mate, enjoy being involved in the game. The more touches you have on the ball, the more passes you complete in a game, the more you will enjoy the game and the more opportunities you will create.

Players will learn the different ways a pass can be played. Coaching points and feedback will be detailed to ensure the technique is correct. Once a selection of passes have been mastered, players can experience possession play.

This focus encourages players to pass the ball quickly and move off the ball intelligently. It often involves one team having an overload (3 v 2 situation) to ensure the extra player moves in appropriate spaces to receive the ball or make space for teammates. It also encourages the team in possession to keep the ball and play short passes to move the opponents around – thus opening space to play the killer pass.

There are multiple goals. This not only ensures that players have the opportunity to score many goals but it also encourages the players to spread the play and move the defending team around.

This focus will have an emphasis on small sided games (no more than teams of 5). This will enable players to have lots of touches in tight situations. It also encourages players to look for space to receive the ball.

Once players have an understanding of Possession football, they can experience and be encouragesd to be creative and innovative by passing the ball behind the defending team for a teammate to receive the pass in an attacking situation.

Players will know the importance of:

• Keeping possession of the ball
• Protecting the ball
• Incorporating core focus 1, 2 and 3
• Moving off the ball to create space for self or teammate
• Selection of pass
• Technique of pass
• Timing and weight of pass
• Disguise
• Where and when to perform the pass – gaining game related experiences

Chest, Thigh, Feet, Angled Control

Player's gain an understanding of control skills when receiving passes that is passed into them through the air and how they should complete each technique before they are exposed to opposition and placed in pressurised situations.

Players will learn several different types of turning action that allows the player in possession to lose a closely marking defender, create vital space for themselves, change the direction of play. Once the basic technique has been mastered, it is important that players learn when and where to try out their turning techniques.

Small-sided games such as 2v2 where a server plays the ball into his team mate who must turn his attacker before playing it back into the server who now becomes the attacker can help before progressing onto normal sided games.

Players will be introduced to heading techniques and for successful learning it is necessary that basic practicing has been extensively practiced.

Heading techniques of defending and attacking will be practiced with the main focus in teaching young players the correct technique. It is the only way to make sure that the children and teenagers are becoming free of fear from heading.

Players love to score goals! This encourages players to use a variety of techniques to finish. All practices within this focus have been designed to incorporate many goals. This will help to enhance confidence and it will give the players an opportunity to ‘repeat’ the technique to maximise learning.

Players will learn a variety of ‘finishes’. They will understand the importance of selecting the correct finish for the specific situation.

Players will be able to finish unopposed so as to perfect the technique. They will then finish in opposed situations where a change of speed may be important. Players will also be encouraged to finish with both feet so they are ready for the changing situations within a game.

Players will know the importance of:

• Scoring goals with different surfaces of the foot
• Selecting the type of finish depending on the GK position
• Incorporating core focus 1, 2, 3 and 4
• Movement off the ball to make space in and around the penalty area
• Experimenting and being creative
• Disguise
• Using the best foot. The one most appropriate for the situation
• Decision making – when to shoot – when to pass – Is someone in a better position?

At Tecnico Coaching, we believe that practice and excellent relevant coaching and feedback is what improves a player. Some players may be born with physical attributes – height, build etc. but technical attributes are learned and can be developed.

Players can learn the relevant skills by analysing footage of great players in action and breaking down the technique step by step. Tecnico Coaching have a range of footage of the current great players performing game related skills. We show the footage, demonstrate the technique and break down how it is performed. Once the players understand ‘how’ to perform the technique, the coaches at Tecnico Coaching ensure they are able to perform the techniques and skills at speed and with both feet – thus equipping them with tools to adapt to the changing situations within a game.

The Tecnico Coaching approach has the emphasis on skill and mastering of technique.

All of the Tecnico Coaching approach is linked and we believe to be a complete player, one must master all of the Key elements to develop oneself into a complete player.

At Tecnico Coaching, we believe that the key aspects of football require TECHNIQUE. We also believe that you are not born a technically gifted football player. All of the key aspects can be improved through dedication, hard work, practice and good coaching.

The approaches are the same for each age band and ability. The complexity of the sessions and practices will differ but players will understand how to perform a range of techniques appropriate to football and will continue to perfect a range of techniques (opposed and at speed) also they will understand the importance of decision making within game related practices and understand the importance of tactics and strategies.

A quick foot refers to a player’s ability to be comfortable with the ball at their feet – Mastering the ball. The element will encourage players to manipulate the ball so they experience feeling the ball with all surfaces of the foot and ball control.

It is important that the first core element is the foundation of a high quality programme. If a player is unable to have control of the ball, they will not be able to move on to the other core elements.

The coaches at Tecnico will break down the manipulation techniques to ensure players understand how to perform them correctly. Once the players understand how to perform the technique, they can practice with both feet and they can practice combinations and performing the techniques at speed. This will help the players in game situations.

The ABC + S refer to Agility, Balance, Co-ordination and Speed. These are important components within football. They can help a player perform a variety of skills and techniques.

The coaches at Tecnico realise the importance of educating players and laying the foundations of a players ABC + S. The complexity of the ABC + S practices is dependent on the age and ability of the players. Many Tecnico sessions and practices incorporate the ABC + S as we realise how important it is to develop and maintain a high level of agility, balance, co-ordination and speed.

Players will know the importance of:

• Practicing the techniques constantly
• Use all surfaces of the foot
• Combine techniques
• Breaking down the techniques
• Working on agility, balance, co-ordination and speed and how they relate to football
• Perform the techniques with both feet and at speed
• Protecting the ball from opponents
• End product
• Controlling the ball from varying heights and angles
• Keeping the ball moving at all times