From the first touch of the ball to the championship: how football training develops over the course of a career.
The basics: making children's training fun
In children's training, the focus is on having fun with the game. It is important not to overtax the young players and to teach them the basics of football in a fun way. Exercises should be simple and easy to understand so as not to frustrate the children.
Catching games or simple ball exercises help the children to develop a feel for the ball and train their motor skills at the same time. The aim is to awaken enthusiasm for football and lay the foundations for more complex training sessions later on. The majority of the time in children's training is taken up by small game forms from 2 vs. 2 to 5 vs. 5, which ensure the individual and holistic development of the players with lots of ball action. The motto is: play, play, play!
Youth training: building up technique and tactics
In youth training, the focus is increasingly on technique and tactics. Exercises in youth football are becoming more demanding and specific in order to prepare players for the challenges of competition. Fundamentals from children's training are further developed and deepened as advanced training.
Tactical training and positional play can be increasingly integrated in order to give the players a better understanding of the game. Physical fitness is also given a higher priority and prepares the youngsters for the more intensive demands of adulthood.
Adult training: complexity and professionalism
In adult training, the complexity reaches a new level. The exercises are more detailed and more specific to the requirements of the competition. In addition to technique and tactics, strategic elements now also play a major role.
Analysing opponents, individual coaching and specialised training methods are essential components of training. The focus is increasingly shifting to guiding players to peak performance and providing them with the tools and ideas they need to be successful at a high level.
Tactical requirements: From a simple game to complex systems
Tactical requirements develop over the course of a career from simple forms of play to complex systems. In childhood and adolescence, basic tactical concepts such as attacking and defending together, offering and running free, player opening options, space allocation and positional play are taught.
In adulthood, the focus is on the finer points and adjustments to tactics in different game situations. Complex systems of play and tactical flexibility are crucial to achieving success in modern football.
The importance of small forms of play in all age groups
Small forms of play are an important training tool at all age groups. They promote the players' enjoyment of the game, technique, intensity and tactical understanding. By reducing the size of the team and the playing field, players automatically learn to make quicker decisions and to participate attentively in the game.
From the first training sessions as a child to adult training, small-sided games offer an excellent opportunity to learn through play and continuously improve.