The FA National Football Development Programme - · PDF fileThe FA National Football Development Programme Independent Schools Football Association ISFA Schools National Football Framework

The FA National Football Development ProgrammeIndependent Schools Football Association

ISFA Schools National Football Framework

The following framework sets out the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) and The Football Association (FA) framework for school boy and girl football, along with the relevant rules and recommendations, for inter-school competitive and friendly matches from Key Stages 1 to 4. The framework offers a variety of engaging options for all young people.

Please note that all independent schools football competitions must be registered and sanctioned by ISFA. There is no charge for such registration.

For further information, please contact:

Sean Smith Football Development Officer, ISFA [email protected]

Donna McIvor National Football Development Manager (Education),The FA [email protected]

Introduction

Recommended FormatFun football festivals involving large numbers of children are recommended. These festivals should incorporate movement skills delivered through a multi-skill approach through fun football games. All players should experience all positions, including goalkeeper, through 4v4 and 5v5 games.

Mini-Soccer, ideally with teams of not more than 5-a-side, is the recommended format at this age level.

NB FA Regulations state that there should be no competitive football below the age of 8.

ISFA recommends that schools should concentrate on festivals, rather than competitions, at all age groups up to and including U9.

Games at this age level can be mixed, involving both girls and boys.

Schools should contact their local ISFA “Focus School” for details of Football Festivals in their area. For further information, please the ISFA Football Development Officer ([email protected]) or visit the ISFA website.

Further Information And AssistanceChildren at this age should be encouraged to participate in the FA Tesco Skills programme – www.thefa.com/skills

Teachers wishing to learn more about appropriate multi-skilled games for this age group should consider the following course:

•FAAgeAppropriateCoachingCourse,5-11 (one day)

•HandlingandMovement(halfday)

INSET Days for schools, involving instruction for all football coaches in an individual school or group of schools, can be arranged through the ISFA Focus School for each region.

RationaleCompetitions for children of this age level are not required and are often counter-productive.

This is not to say that children at this age should not be encouraged to be competitive. Indeed, they will naturally play games competitively anyway and do not require competitions - often devised by adults primarily for the benefit and interest of adults – for this to be achieved. Competitive football at this age can be counter-productive to the acquisition of skill, with children discouraged by adults from experimenting in favour of playing for the result.

Years 1-4 (Ages 5-9)

Recommended FormatNB FA Regulations state that children below the age of 10 (Year 5) should not play in games of more than 7-a-side. 11-a-side is permitted under FA regulations at U11 (Year 6) only but this is not the recommended format of the game at this age level; Year 5 and Year 6 pupils may play together but only if the game does not consist of more than 7-a-side.

ISFA recommends that mini-soccer games of 6v6 or 7v7 be played at this level. Games can be mixed, involving both boys and girls. At U11 (Year 6) 9v9 at most is considered appropriate.

Competitions AvailableThere are an increasing number of regional small-sided tournaments for this age level.

Schools should contact their local ISFA “Focus School” for details of Football Festivals and Tournaments in their area. For further information, please contact the ISFA Football Development Officer ([email protected]) or visit the ISFA website.

Further Information And AssistanceChildren at this age should be encouraged to participate in the FA Tesco Skills programme – www.thefa.com/skills

ISFA recommends that teachers wishing to learn more about appropriate multi-skilled games for this age group should consider the following courses:

•FAAgeAppropriateCoaching–IntroductoryModule (one day)

•WorkingwithTeams(oneday)

More advanced coaches may wish to attend the following courses:

•FAYouthAwardModule1(32hours)

•1st4sportLevel1CertificateinCoachingFootball(30hours)

•FAHandlingandMovementmodule(1/2day)

INSET Days for schools, involving instruction for all football coaches in an individual school or group of schools, can be arranged through ISFA Focus Schools

RationaleSmall-sided football is considered appropriate at this age level because:

In small-sided football:

•Everyplayergetsmoretimeontheball,istherefore more involved in the action and enjoys the game more

•Everyplayergetsmoreopportunitytodefend,pass, head, dribble and shoot

•Asmallerpitchmeansthereislesspressuretoplay aimless long kicks forward

•Asmallerpitchmeanstherewillbelotsofshots,lots of goals, lots of saves and lots of fun

•Basicallyplayerswillhavemoretouchesontheball and therefore technical development will be accelerated, in comparison to 11v11, during the vital years of development

In 11-a-side football:

•Thegamesareinvariablydominatedbythebiggest and strongest players rather than the more technically gifted players

•Playersare’pigeonholed’toplayinaparticularposition from an early age; therefore individual development does not occur at the desired rate

•Someplayerscangoforlongperiodsofthegamewithout touching the ball at all.

School Matches:

•TheFAandISFArecommendFestivalswhere2or more schools can field as many small-sided teams as they wish, playing a series of matches on a friendly basis. There should not be too much importance placed on results, which are invariably of more interest to the adults than the children. Children of this age are naturally competitive anyway and will play accordingly.

•Wheneverpossible,schoolsareencouragedtofield more than one team in order to increase the number of children involved.


Recommended FormatFA Regulations state that mixed football is not permitted at 11+ (ie Year 7 and above). All matches must be boys only or girls only

The recommended formats of the game for this age group are:

•6v6or7v7

•9v9

•11v11

•Futsal(indoor5-a-side)

9v9footballisparticularlyrecommendedatU12level to assist in the gradual transition from mini-soccer to 11v11.

The FA Recommendation for Girls football is that theyshouldplay7v7atU12leveland9v9atU13and U14 levels.

Competitions Available - Boys

National Competitions:

•RensburgSheppardsISFAU13Cup

•IAPSSix-a-SideTournament(IAPSschoolsonly)

Individual regions are encouraged to organise local small-sidedand/or11-a-sidetournamentsandalsoFutsal tournaments. Under FA regulations, these tournaments must be registered with ISFA (no charge).


Competition Available - Girls

•ISFAGNationalSix-a-SideTournament(U13)

Elite Player Development Programme - Boys

U13RegionalISFARepresentativeTeamsforoutstanding players are selected in regions around the country

TheISFAU13RegionalFestivaltakesplaceattheend of March each year, following which a National Development Squad is selected.

Further Information And Assistance

ISFA recommends that teachers coaching school teams at this age level should have attended the following the following courses:

•FAAgeAppropriateCoaching–IntroductoryModule (one day)

•WorkingwithTeams(oneday)

More advanced coaches may wish to attend the following courses:

•FAYouthAwardModule1(32hours)


•HandlingandMovement(halfday)

Recommended FormatFA Regulations state that all matches must be boys only or girls only


•6v6or7v7

•11v11


Competitions Available - BoysNational Competition:

•RensburgSheppardsISFAU15Cup

Individual regions are encouraged to organise local small-sided and 11-a-side tournaments and also Futsal tournaments. Those organising tournament should note that, under FA regulations, these tournaments must be registered with ISFA (no charge). In order to register a tournament please contact the ISFA Football Development Officer – [email protected].

Competition Available - Girls•ISFAGNationalSix-a-SideTournament(U15)

ISFA Player Development Programme - BoysU14 & U15 Player Development Programme. The Development Squad will pursue a programme at U14 and U15 levels designed to stretch the best players at a level above inter-school football.

•ISFAUnder-16BoysRepresentativeTeam

ISFA Player Development Programme – GirlsThe ISFAG run Development Centres in various parts of the country, leading to selection of two national representative teams:

•ISFAGUnder-16RepresentativeTeam

•ISFAGUnder-14RepresentativeTeam

Years 10-11 (Ages 14-16)

Further Information And AssistanceISFA recommends that teachers coaching school teams at this age level should have attended at least one of the following courses:

•WorkingwithTeams(1day)


More advanced coaches may wish to attend the following course:


ISFA strongly recommends that teachers in charge oftheSchoolUnder-16‘A’teamshouldhaveattended the following course:

•1st4sportLevel3CertificateinCoachingFootball(90 hours)

Recommended FormatFA Regulations state that all matches must be boys only or girls only


•6v6or7v7

•11v11


Competitions Available - BoysNational Competitions:

•BoodlesISFACup(U18)

•a2omISFASix-a-SideTournament(U18)

Individual regions are encouraged to organise local small-sided and 11-a-side tournaments and also Futsal tournaments. Those organising tournament should note that, under FA regulations, these tournaments must be registered with ISFA (no charge). In order to register a tournament please contact the ISFA Football Development Officer – [email protected].

Years 12-13 (Ages 16-18)

Competitions Available - Girls

National Competitions:

•ISFAGNationalSeniorCup(U18)

•ISFAGNationalSeniorSix-a-SideTournament(U19)

•ISFAGNationalSeniorSix-a-SideTournament(U17)

Elite Player Programme

•ISFAUnder-18BoysRepresentativeTeam

•ISFAGUnder-18GirlsRepresentativeTeam

Further Information And Assistance

ISFA recommends that teachers coaching school teams at this age level should have attended the following courses:•1st4sportLevel2CertificateinCoachingFootball(72hours)

At schools where football is a main sport, ISFA strongly recommends that the School 1st XI coach should have attended the following course:

•1st4sportLevel3CertificateinCoachingFootball(90 hours)

or

•FAYouthAwardModule1,2and3

Children Under 6 years oldA child who has not attained nor will have attained theageof6asatmidnighton31stAugustinaplaying season shall not play, and shall not be permitted nor encouraged to play, in a match of any kind in that playing season.

Children permitted to play Small Side football onlyA child who has not attained nor will have attained theageof10asatmidnighton31Augustinaplaying season shall not play, and shall not be permitted nor encouraged to play, in a match between sides of more than seven players in that playing season. Such children shall only play in a matchplayedaccordingtothe“LawsoftheGame– Small Side Football” as amended for particular age ranges by the Council from time to time.

Children permitted to play Eleven-a-Side and Nine-a-SideAny child may play in a match between sides of elevenplayersaccordingtotheLawsoftheGameor between sides of nine players according to the “LawsoftheGame”,saveforthosespecificallyprohibited from doing so pursuant to this rule.

Age BracketsA child in the age ranges U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12,U13,U14andU15mustnotplay,andshallnotbe permitted nor encouraged to play, in a match whereanyotherplayerisolderoryoungerby2years or more than that person.

FA Regulations Relating to small side and 11-a-side football, age brackets, gender of players and substitutions

Genders of players in Under-11 matchesA child in the age ranges U7, U8, U9, U10 and U11 may play in a match involving both boys and girls.

SubstitutionsThe principle of “repeated” substitutes is mandatory in all matches and competitions up to and including the Under-16 age group. A player who has been substituted during a match then becomes a substitute and may, in turn, replace another player at any time, subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law3oftheLawsoftheGame.

The following FA Coaching Courses are recommended by ISFA to teachers in independent schools. These courses can be taken through local County FAs and details can be found on the County FA website. From time to time, if demand is sufficient and with the assistance of the FA, ISFA may arrange courses specifically for teachers in ISFA schools.

Age Appropriate Coaching Course • – Introductory Module

•HandlingandMovement

WorkingWithTeamsmodule•

FA Youth Award Module 1. In order to attend this • course, it is necessary to be a qualified teacher and have already attended the Age Appropriate Coaching Introductory Module or already hold a 1st4sportLevel1CertificateinCoachingFootball.

•FAYouthAwardModule2.Inordertoattendthis course, it is necessary to have attended Module 1

1st4sportLevel1CertificateinCoachingFootball•

1st4sportLevel2CertificateinCoachingFootball • (UEFA B Part 1) Qualified teachers may attend thiscoursewithouthavingfirstattendedaLevel 1course.However,theymustshowevidence of holding the F.A. Emergency Aid Certificate or equivalentandhavingattendedanF.A.Workshop on Child Protection and Best Practice

1st4sportLevel3CertificateinCoaching • Football(UEFABPart2).Thiscourseisonly opentothoseholdingaLevel2Certificatein Coaching Football.

•FAYouthAwardModule3.Inordertoattendthiscourse,itisnecessarytohaveattendedModule2andholda1st4sportLevel2Certificatein Coaching Footbal

FA Coaching Courses

The FA Respect Programme was introduced in 2008.ISFAstronglysupportsthisprogrammeandurges schools to participate in it.In particular:

At younger age levels, players should be left to •enjoy their game of football free from constant instruction from the touchline

All coaching should be encouraging in nature •and should be given only by the official coach. Parents and other spectators should not be permitted to give instruction and should certainly not be permitted to criticise. Parents and spectators who are not prepared to respect these guidelines should be asked to leave.

Parents and spectators should be kept well back •from the touchlines, ideally by means of a rope or other barrier

Schools may wish to ask players to undertake an •official“FairPlayHandshake”beforethematch.After the match players at all age levels should always be encouraged to shake hands with both their opponents and the match officials.

ISFA schools should expect the highest standards •from their pupils in relation to respect for the referee’sdecisions.

Team captains should assist the referee in •managingtheirteam’sbehaviour.Refereesare encouraged to use the team captains for communication with players and the team in general

Fouland/orabusivelanguageshouldneverbe•tolerated under any circumstances at any age level in any ISFA match

Teachers in charge of school teams are role •models and their behaviour will affect the behaviour of their teams. Their conduct and attitude should always be exemplary.

Further information on the FA Respect programme, including Codes of Conduct for players, referee, coaches and parents, can be found at the FA website - www.thefa.com/Leagues/Respect.aspx

A Code of Conduct for ISFA schools can be found at the ISFA website.

FA Respect Programme

The following recommendations on appropriate pitch and goal sizes for different age groups should be applied when possible:

Suggested Pitch Suggested Size Size in Yards of Goalposts

Pitch Dimensions in Yards

Length Width

(Lth x Wdt) (Ht x Wdt) Max Min Max Min

Mini-Soccer U7-U8

50x30 6ft x 12ft 50 30 30 20

Mini-Soccer U9-U11

60 x 40 6ft x 12ft 60 50 40 30

9v9

80 x 50 7ft x 16ft 85 70 55 45

Youth U11-U12 (11v11)

80x50 7ftx21ft 90 75 55 45

Youth U13-U14 (11v11)

90 x 55 7ftx21ft 100 80 60 50

Youth U15-U16 (11v11)

100x60 8ftx24ft 110 90 70 50

Youth U17-U18 & Seniors (11v11)

110 x 70 8ftx24ft 130 100 100 50

Recommendations regarding Sizes of Pitch and Goalposts

ISFA strongly urges all schools to take heed of instructions from the Football Association on goalpost safety.

The Football Association, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the HealthandSafetyExecutiveandtheBritishStandards Institution, has issued the following guidelines for the safe use of goalposts.

Too many serious injuries and fatalities have occurred in recent years as a result of unsafe or incorrect use of goalposts. Safety is always of paramount importance and everyone in football must play their part to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future

1. For safety reasons goalposts of any size (including those which are portable and not installed permanently at a pitch or practice field) must always be anchored securely to the ground;

2.Portablegoalpostsmustbesecuredasperthe manufacturer’sinstructions;

3.Undernocircumstancesshouldchildrenor adults be allowed to climb on, swing or play with the structure of the goalposts;

4. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that if not properly assembled and secured, portable goalposts may overturn.

5. Regular inspections of goalposts must be carried out to check that they are properly maintained.

6. Portable goalposts should not be left in place after use. They should be dismantled and removed to a place of secure storage.

7. The use of metal cup hooks on goals was banned fromthecommencementof2007/08season and match officials have been instructed not to commence matches where such net fixings are evident for safety reasons. Nets should only be secured by plastic hooks, net grips or tape and not by metal cup hooks. Any metal cup hooks should have been removed and replaced. New goalposts should not be purchased if they include metal cup hooks.

8. Goalposts which are “home-made” or which have been altered from their original size or construction should not be used. These have been the cause of a number of deaths and injuries.

Regulations relating to Goalpost Safety

9.ThereisnoBS/CENstandardforwooden goalsand it is unlikely that wooden goals will pass a load or stability test. The FA recommends that wooden goals should be replaced when necessary with compliant metal, aluminum or plastic goalposts. All wooden goals previously tested by independent consultants have failed strength and stability tests.

For reference, you should note that The FA and BSI, in conjunction with the industry, have developed twostandardsforgoalposts–BSEN748(2004)andBS8462(2005).Itisstronglyrecommendedthat you ensure that all goals purchased comply with the relevant standard. A Code of Practice BS 8461 has also been completed and copies of all of these three standards are available from the British Standards Institute.

Funding for replacement goals is available via the Football Foundation and eligibility criteria and further details can be obtained on their web site – www.footballfoundation.org.uk

REMEMBER TO USE GOALPOSTS SAFELY AT ALL TIMES

Mini-Soccer(U7-U8) Size3

Mini-Soccer (U9-U11) Size 4

U11-U13(11v11) Size4

U14 Size 4 or Size 5

U15 Size 5

Age 15 and over Size 5

Recommendations regarding the Size of Match Balls

Documents

The FA National Football Development Programme - · PDF fileThe FA National Football Development Programme Independent Schools Football Association ISFA Schools National Football Framework