Brilliant insight from Pete Sturgess. Here is Barcelona (Spain) the children start to play at 4-6 years. Its play in its basic form as Pete explains, developing foundation technique in 1v1,2v2 and 3v3 practice 2 or 3 times a week; SSGs in clubs. Its astonishing to me how early players are developing their decision making. Recently i watched a 7-a-side game were the team switch automatically to three different tactical formations in 1 hour match (GK-3-2-1),(GK 2-3-1 ) and (GK -3-1-2). Incredible technical and tactical understanding in under 8s Preferente league.. The development, game IQ of some of these kids is amazing
59 mins - talking about space and understanding off the ball - when I was coaching and playing for our u8s to u11s I would do walking football - this would make the game slower and allow for me to comment on positioning off the ball, both when the team has the ball and when they are defending. Another drill I did was off the ball positioning and which areas the players are looking for spaces to exploit. I would hold the ball in my hand and say 'if the ball was here where would you be?' this really helped the team know where they should be and what areas they can potentially see 'danger' areas
One of the best episodes, I love the ideas of 2v2, 3v3 to prepare for SSGs. There seems to be a real drive in this country to build up to full 11 aside ASAP without honing decision making skillsets beforehand. The players that aren't ready can become lost and disinterested eventually falling out of love for the game.
Johan Cruyff considered “football fundamentals” to be “an understanding of Space, Angles, distances, timing (time), lines and situation, ball position “ which all lead to players decision making ON and OFF the ball. His autobiography is a great read !!!!! Pep, Bielsa, Pochettino and many others have followed his football principles and taken Coaching to another lvl.. thank you Pete, lots golden nuggets you have added here 👍🏻
Futsal is played over 3 comps through the year for category 1s at foundation phase. Prep day (one Sunday) National qualifiers (one Sunday) National finals comp at St George’s (over sat and sun). That’s from 9s to 11s or 12s.
Coaches, futsal sessions are a dream, however, listen to pete. Your practices should have lots of touches of the ball, small group SSGs practices, lots of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3s and lots of play that looks like the game. Also underloads and overloads of 3v4, 3v5. Also let the kids play, its what they want to do. In my club we had a games night (60 kids split into 5-a-side teams and lots of play. Guess what, “Games night” as it became known was the best attended and the loudest evening, enjoyable night of 3 nights of practice 😉
Think about why Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, France and a number of the East European nations have very cultured ball skills and instincts. Futsal is great as it's own thing and there's also a useful carry over for working in small spaces comfortably when playing 11v 11.
If the FA didn’t rip of the grassroots coaches to develop with courses and make it so difficult to get on them coaching in the uk would be in a better place . Compare to Germany 😅
Coaches need to trust and enable to the Mavericks young players. This is obviously the opersit to rigid, planned, safe organised footbsll. Players who have a “superskill” Dribbling, shootibg, tricks need patient Coaches and flexibility.. time to make mistakes, explore and master these skills that special players have and develop
The problem with futsal is that football people see it as a tool to improve your skills to help play 11 v 11, whislts futsal people see it an sports on it's own and want players to stick to it and play at a more professional level.
You are right, here in Barcelona grass & Futsal is almost two different sports. A different culture with different identities. When a player decides to move to grass football its often a shock and can be very difficult. However, there are many clubs that have both formats so this helps. But, the technical base is definately higher in futsal
So you are saying the FA has improved our players ??? So what has Greece done then ?? They must now be a super power as made our national team look very average
What a brilliant interview, I coach under nine football at Norwich Utd FC in Norfolk, I agree with Pete because every week I have 3 to 4 players on the sidelines not doing anything and I have to roll on Rollo the parent see the result of the game which often we have lost and they don’t see any progression also we’re in an environment where you have to win and I don’t want that. I want to coach the game please please please help Pete and myself change the game and stop players like under nine Edward this week has left the game of football as he’s not getting enough touches and I’m giving him equal game time. We need to go 5V5 right up to age 10 across the country so children don’t fall out of love with the game.❤️⚽️🧤🥅🥅
Brilliant insight from Pete Sturgess. Here is Barcelona (Spain) the children start to play at 4-6 years. Its play in its basic form as Pete explains, developing foundation technique in 1v1,2v2 and 3v3 practice 2 or 3 times a week; SSGs in clubs. Its astonishing to me how early players are developing their decision making. Recently i watched a 7-a-side game were the team switch automatically to three different tactical formations in 1 hour match (GK-3-2-1),(GK 2-3-1 ) and (GK -3-1-2). Incredible technical and tactical understanding in under 8s Preferente league.. The development, game IQ of some of these kids is amazing
It's a shame Pete didn't know that after working for the English FA for 14 years.
This is going to need a 2nd or 3rd listen. Absolute gold Sean.
Thank you so much for this feedback. I really enjoyed hearing from Peter ❤
This gentleman shared so much wisdom. Love how he says he’s not done yet!
❤ he did didn’t he. Thank you so much for your comment. 💪
love watching your podcasts, always trying to find ways to better the english game
It will never happen
59 mins - talking about space and understanding off the ball - when I was coaching and playing for our u8s to u11s I would do walking football - this would make the game slower and allow for me to comment on positioning off the ball, both when the team has the ball and when they are defending. Another drill I did was off the ball positioning and which areas the players are looking for spaces to exploit.
I would hold the ball in my hand and say 'if the ball was here where would you be?' this really helped the team know where they should be and what areas they can potentially see 'danger' areas
GREAT INSIGHT
One of the best episodes, I love the ideas of 2v2, 3v3 to prepare for SSGs. There seems to be a real drive in this country to build up to full 11 aside ASAP without honing decision making skillsets beforehand. The players that aren't ready can become lost and disinterested eventually falling out of love for the game.
Johan Cruyff considered “football fundamentals” to be “an understanding of Space, Angles, distances, timing (time), lines and situation, ball position “ which all lead to players decision making ON and OFF the ball. His autobiography is a great read !!!!! Pep, Bielsa, Pochettino and many others have followed his football principles and taken Coaching to another lvl.. thank you Pete, lots golden nuggets you have added here 👍🏻
This episode was full of golden nuggets that I have noted to implement with my 4 year old child.
Thank you for sharing this knowledge Peter. 🙏⚽️❤️
So glad you enjoyed this episode ❤
The main man
Shame more people aren’t like him
Top bloke also
A genuine educator
Knows more about learning than football
❤
Fantastic podcast . Peter you are a true legend 👏👏⚽️
Futsal is played over 3 comps through the year for category 1s at foundation phase. Prep day (one Sunday) National qualifiers (one Sunday) National finals comp at St George’s (over sat and sun). That’s from 9s to 11s or 12s.
Coaches, futsal sessions are a dream, however, listen to pete. Your practices should have lots of touches of the ball, small group SSGs practices, lots of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3s and lots of play that looks like the game. Also underloads and overloads of 3v4, 3v5. Also let the kids play, its what they want to do. In my club we had a games night (60 kids split into 5-a-side teams and lots of play. Guess what, “Games night” as it became known was the best attended and the loudest evening, enjoyable night of 3 nights of practice 😉
Think about why Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, France and a number of the East European nations have very cultured ball skills and instincts. Futsal is great as it's own thing and there's also a useful carry over for working in small spaces comfortably when playing 11v 11.
If the FA didn’t rip of the grassroots coaches to develop with courses and make it so difficult to get on them coaching in the uk would be in a better place . Compare to Germany 😅
Coaches need to trust and enable to the Mavericks young players. This is obviously the opersit to rigid, planned, safe organised footbsll. Players who have a “superskill” Dribbling, shootibg, tricks need patient Coaches and flexibility.. time to make mistakes, explore and master these skills that special players have and develop
The problem with futsal is that football people see it as a tool to improve your skills to help play 11 v 11, whislts futsal people see it an sports on it's own and want players to stick to it and play at a more professional level.
Yeah that’s a very good point.
You are right, here in Barcelona grass & Futsal is almost two different sports. A different culture with different identities. When a player decides to move to grass football its often a shock and can be very difficult. However, there are many clubs that have both formats so this helps. But, the technical base is definately higher in futsal
We need to change the football in year group from school year to calendar year like the rest of the world!!!?
Same thing, played in Europe as year 91 and was born 27Dec , there was always an advantage for the kids born in January February
It is very likely they are doing this in the US starting January
I think you'd get a lot more views if you could break these long-form podcasts down into 20 minute clips.
Not sure what the Spotify numbers look like
Sean will call out the academy coaches , my other friend says no way I’m keeping my job
So you are saying the FA has improved our players ??? So what has Greece done then ?? They must now be a super power as made our national team look very average
Talent lives in the wild….. you can’t manufacture sauce
What a brilliant interview, I coach under nine football at Norwich Utd FC in Norfolk, I agree with Pete because every week I have 3 to 4 players on the sidelines not doing anything and I have to roll on Rollo the parent see the result of the game which often we have lost and they don’t see any progression also we’re in an environment where you have to win and I don’t want that. I want to coach the game please please please help Pete and myself change the game and stop players like under nine Edward this week has left the game of football as he’s not getting enough touches and I’m giving him equal game time. We need to go 5V5 right up to age 10 across the country so children don’t fall out of love with the game.❤️⚽️🧤🥅🥅
Completely agree about keeping it small sided at older ages. Players can easily become lost and disillusioned in larger 7v7 or 9v9 games.