Age: Males 16 to 18/Females 15 to 17 years
The main objective of this phase is to optimise fitness preparation and soccer, individual and position-specific skills as well as performance. More advanced tactical elements of the game are introduced. During this phase, high intensity individual, and position-specific training is provided to players. Soccer specific skills are performed under a variety of competitive conditions during training. Special emphasis is placed on optimum preparation by modelling training and competition.
The Training to Compete Phase - Technical
- Proficiency in basic soccer skills
- Soccer-specific technical playing skills under competitive conditions at high intensity
- Individualisation of skills: ‘personal style'
- Consistency and control
- Competition-simulation training
The Training to Compete Phase - Tactical
- More advanced team play and principles in the full game
- Carry out effective set-piece play
- Implement different attacking styles
- Individual specific role within team
- Awareness of new styles/systems/plays
- Develop a winning mentality and implement ‘winning tactics'
- Ability to link to players/units of team movement on/off the ball
- Play in 11v11 format
- Develop individual strengths within confines of team style
- Ability to read the game
- Awareness of opponent's tactics, strengths and weaknesses
- Event- and position-specific tactical preparation
- Principles of attack and defence
- Ability to plan and assess competition
- Adaptation to different situations
- Observe and adapt to opponents
- Detailed systems of play: strategies
- Clarity of team shape and role within the team
- Ability to deal with tactical problems
- Awareness of variations in systems/styles
- Reading the game (SWOT analysis)
- Plan and assess competition and prioritise
- Playing training game: working in SSG up to 11v11
The Training to Compete Phase - Physical
- Football-, position- and individual-specific intensive physical conditioning
- Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability
- Optimum preparation: tapering and peaking
- Individualisation of physical capacities to address strengths and weaknesses
- Dealing with environmental influence
The Training to Compete Phase - Mental
- Personal responsibility and involvement in decision-making
- Focus and thought control - self-talk/verbal cues (dealing with distractions and negative thoughts)
- Goal setting (long term)
- Performance routines and pre-competition preparation
- Imagery (competition, different situations/problems, practising strategies)
- Anxiety control and relaxation (Progressive Muscle Relaxation, hypnosis)
- Performance routines and pre-competition preparation
- Basic re-focusing
