SHEFFIELD PROJECT DEVISED AND DEVELOPED BY DAVE WARD; Educate and improve the grass roots game and coaching in Sheffield;   The aim of this project is to improve the grass roots game in Sheffield using a new coaching concept tried and tested throughout Europe. Based on the Spanish system we have devised a Development regime that uses Futsal as a development tool in Football. The Spanish system is also a lot more interactive with grass roots and school football. The use of Futsal as a development tool especially with the heavier Futsal ball develops technical ability and thought process. Using Futsal as the main game in a young player’s development, as the Spanish do, enhances and installs technical ability a lot quicker than the English coaching regime.   Using Hillsborough College as our Development Centre, we run coaching sessions on a Monday and Wednesday night. We had over 40 local Grass roots football teams along with their coaches attend a 2 hour free training sessions using the new coaching regime highlighted in this document. The age groups have ranged from U6 to U14; The visit is not a one off and many teams have visited the centre on 2 or 3 occasions as part of rolling programme. We have now got together a Manchester City U7 elite squad who are exposed to mostly Futsal as part of there coaching education. A Monday night is now dedicated to the development of the Elite squad as we have to prove not only to Manchester City but to the FA and Football in general that this system works. Wednesday is still dedicated to Educating grass roots teams;   We have now linked in with Activity Sheffield working in some of Sheffield’s deprived areas and we have taken this development concept to this scheme. Again we hope to generate a lot more interest in the game of Futsal and Football. It is we feel important that Futsal becomes the second most popular game behind football because of its importance regarding technical development.   We have already started sending coaches out to continue our work by visiting selected local grass roots sides so the next step is to take this new concept to local Schools and Colleges.   Manchester City have built up very good relationships with a lot of local sides through this campaign simply for the reason this whole scheme is about developing the grass roots game and not about making money. Everything we have done in Sheffield so far has been free to the selected teams and coaches who have attended. Even when we have brought across some of the best Futsal coaches on the planet from Europe to take the sessions. As I believe its time that professional clubs got more involved with the grass roots game and help educate the grass roots game, coaches as much as players creating a grass roots system that is able to enhance and develop natural talent;   Written Report submitted by Dave Ward; Manchester City Development

MANCHESTER CITY, SHEFFELD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE STUDY;  CARRIED OUT OVER A 6 MONTH DURATION 2010

The purpose of the study was to identify the potential of how, using Futsal as a development tool in football could influence the technical development in Children at a young age in England.

A comparison was made between Futsal indoors and general outdoor football training sessions.

FINDINGS;

This study identified that Futsal gave participants more contact with the ball and more frequent involvement in match situations, therefore offering more frequent learning opportunities.

The heavy ball accelerated general ball control and passing capabilities, thus developing general thought process.

These elements enhanced interest in the game for each individual as well as increasing the fun element to the game through a greater involvement.

Our findings definitely indicated that the intensity of Futsal in comparison to mini soccer (7 vs. 7 normally played at this age, created an environment where the player’s minds were engaged more often.

This offered the potential to develop football intelligence at an accelerated rate.

Over a very short period of time players attending the Development Centre seemed to improve a lot quicker in the critical area of technique and passing.

Taking into consideration the game is still very much a learning process at this age we noted the following:

1.         Ball control. With the heavier ball coming on to the players at a slightly slower pace; individuals were able to adjust their feet and balance more quickly to enhance control.

2.         Passing. With the heavier ball more effort is generally required to move the ball, as time went on and we reverted the odd coaching session back to a using a normal ball, passing became crisper and more accurate.

As stated earlier the intensity of Futsal generally offered more contact with the ball offering more frequent learning opportunities.

3.         Shooting. As in above, the heavier ball needed more effort in shooting, the adverse effect, at first, was the goalkeeper had more time to position and save. The players developed quickly regarding power and accuracy in shooting.

4.         Thought process. A very important element of the game, often I feel is overlooked in England. The ability to read the game will can give your a lot more time on the ball, or enhance your positional sense.

Again as stated which ever way you look at it Futsal, weather it be the game in general or in this case a development tool in football, it has the potential to develop football intelligence. This has been apparent in the Manchester City Elite Squad in Sheffield

CONCLUSION;

It is clear from our small study that using Futsal in Football development, especially at a young age, offers participants more direct involvement in the game.

Using this coaching regime, players passed the ball better and had more accurate attempts on goal.

Futsal also enhanced possession and general thinking;

The qualities of the game of Futsal in general and the use of the heavier ball developed the technical side of players at an accelerated rate, far beyond our standard coaching regimes.

It is my recommendation that Futsal could and should be used as a development tool in coaching generally, not only in the professional game, but it would benefit the grass roots game two fold.

It would be nice to see the promotion of Futsal generally in England, developing leagues and a sustainable youth structure as I can only see this benefitting the game as a whole.

To enhance the technical side of the English game, which in my opinion is an area we are severely lacking at the moment, especially if you look at the international scene, should be a priority.

This report was written by David Ward;

Manchester City