Lionheart Football School of Excellence (LFSE)
Lionheart Football School of Excellence intends to be the best provider of football education in Central Birmingham. To achieve this all staff will inspire the children to become the best footballer possible, through their physical, mental, social and technical skills development in the game of football.
We will achieve this by providing the most rewarding football educational experience possible for all children that attend, whatever age, gender, background or skill level they may be.
LFSE, is all about challenge and our mission statement identifies key aspects of our football education programme:
C – CHILD DEVELOPMENT
H – HEALTH
A – ACHIEVE
L – LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
L – LOYALTY
E – EVERYONE PLAYS THE GAME
N – NEVER GIVE UP
G – GROWTH OF FOOTBALL SKILLS AND TACTICS
E – EXCELLENCE
At Lionheart footballing school of excellence, our ethos is that when children are having fun in a structured football coaching environment, they are going to learn. Therefore, LFSE believes that the football programme your child follows has fun aspects whether it is a technique practice, small sided games, conditioned games or formal games.
In the football cubs programme, we use the child’s imagination to solve a range of football problems such as finding space, working as part of a team and controlling the ball. Simple language will be used to develop a child’s understanding of the key concepts of football.
Most football development for this age group will come about through trial and error which is why we encourage our coaches to build positive relationships with our football cubs.
Children playing in the junior and youth sections will find challenge through a range of drills and conditioned games developing the fundamental football skills of passing, shooting, dribbling, turning, heading, ball control, running with the ball and finally understanding the tactical elements of knowing when to defend and when to attack as individuals and part of a team.
By playing the game of football children will naturally improve their physical, social and mental wellbeing which is key to a healthy and active lifestyle.
SESSION STRUCTURE
During training sessions your child will follow a structured football education programme.
WARM UP – development of fundamental movement skills with and without the ball.
FITNESS TRAINING AND CHALLENGES – development of health and sports related fitness through conditioning drills e.g. sprinting, stretching and continuous training. Basic fitness tests will also be used to monitor performance such as 30-meter sprint and standing long jump. Football specific tests such as keep ups and American shoot out will also be used.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT (NO PRESSURE) – The children learn the basic skills related to football with limited movement
SKILL DEVELOPMENT (PRESSURE) -The children develop their skills of passing, turning, shooting, dribbling, heading and ball control with pressure e.g. 4vs1 keeping the ball
SKILL DEVELOPMENT (WITHIN THE GAME) – Once the children are comfortable performing the skills under pressure the coach introduces opposition e.g. passing 4vs 4 finding a target player in a zone.
FULL GAME – Children play a full game (7vs7 or 9vs9) solving the problems as the game progresses (Limited input from the coach)
SESSION REVIEW – Children review their learning with the coach and answer questions about the content of the session. Reflection is the key to progression
FOOTBALL CUBS
Fun games (30 x 20 grid – 10-12 players)
Football tag
Stuck in the mud
Captain on deck
Football bowling
What is the time MR WOLF
JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Drills (30x 20 grid / 30 x 40 grid)
Passing and ground control
Dribbling and turning
Heading and aerial control (Limited head contact due to FA guidelines)
Shooting and Goalkeeping
Defending and Tackling
YOUTH FOOTBALL
Drills (Zones marked on the pitch)
Dribbling and turning in the attacking third
Heading for goal and Heading to clear / Clearing aerial balls
Shooting from different angles e.g. 1vs1 / ball coming across
Defending as an individual, unit and team (delay deny, cover and support)
Attacking as an individual unit and team (Creating space running with the ball)
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Half pitch drills
Team defending (all parts of the pitch)
Playing the ball out of defense
Switching play / point of attack
Crossing and Finishing
Defending and offside
Attacking and offside
GOALKEEPING
Warm up / specific skills / Fitness for Goalkeepers
Handling shots to the body
Saving ground and Aerial shots
Distribution
Conditioned Games for Goalkeeping
Coaching the goalkeeper within the Game (communication and positioning)