Football for Children
Coaching Philosophy
Football Academy Programme
Health and Safety
Football Academy Rates
Football Academy Programme
The length and content of each session is adapted to each age group.
| Age Group | Academy Time (Monday to Friday) |
Tournament Days |
| 5 to 6 years | 10:15 am to 11:15 am | |
| 7 to 9 years | 11:30 am to 1:00 pm | Monday to Friday |
| 10 to 15 years | 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm | Monday to Friday |
Age Group |
Goal-keeping Academy Time |
Tournament Days |
7 to 9 years |
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm |
Monday to |
10 to 15 years |
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm |
Monday to |
Tournaments and matches are organised in parallel to the academy so the young players can put their new skills into practise. There are prizes for the winners of the football tournaments.
A typical week's coaching programme for each age group is detailed below.
New - Goal-keeping Skills
From Easter 2007, La Manga Club will be offering specific one-to-one coaching for budding goal-keepers, led by former Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers keeper, Nick Culkin.
Five- to Six-Year-Olds
(One-hour session)
Sessions will always start with fun games to break the ice and allow the children to get to know one another and the coach. Each day will start with games and drills working on touch and dribbling skills, stressing the use of both feet and all surfaces of the boot (inside, outside and sole). The importance of keeping the ball out of feet and head up is reinforced and incorporated into all games / drills. The general methods outlined above are implemented for all age groups.
For this age group, the five key topics (one per day in a one-hour session) are:
- Foot skills, touch work and ability to use both feet (reinforced and encouraged in all drills)
- Passing and control
- Running with the ball and dribbling
- Basic turns (i.e. drag back, inside and outside hook)
- Shooting and attacking (i.e. shoot into corners, attack the space...)
Seven- to Nine-Year-Olds
(Daily 90-minute session)
For this age group, the five key skills detailed above will also be worked on. In addition, principles of the game (defence and attack) and positional play will be introduced at a very basic level. For example, appreciation of the roles of individuals in the team (defence, attack and midfield) and 1 v 1 defending techniques (key factors outlined e.g. close player down, side-on, make play predictable, eye on ball, etc).
The level of skills coached will develop with the age and ability of the children. For example, provided the ability level of the group is suitable, some or all of the following will be introduced:
- Short-, medium- and long-range passing
- Ball control practice will include aerial control (i.e. thigh, instep and chest)
- More advanced turning techniques (e.g. Cruyff and stop turns)
- More advanced dribbling techniques (e.g. step over, body fake etc)
- Small-sided games are progressed, for example, introducing a touch restriction
(Daily 90-minute session)
Many of the principles and advancements outlined for the seven- to nine-year-olds are used in this group. However, positional play is coached at a slightly higher level, and small-sided games are developed into seven or eight a side, depending on numbers. Other key principles are developed if ability levels allow. For example, 2 v 2 defending - introducing the need for cover and balance by the covering defender and more advanced shooting techniques such as volleying.
