Coaching Canadian Six-a-side Football

Coaching Canadian
Six-a-side Football
Brian Guebert B.Sc. Kin, B.Ed, M.Ed
Football Saskatchewan, Sask Sport
Football Canada & Saskatoon Minor Football
Children Asked to Play Adult Game
Developmentally Appropriate
  How do we make Sports, Athletics and Movement more
Developmentally Appropriate?
  Infants innately know how to squat properly, why do we lose
it as we mature?
  Are we teaching physical literacy in its finest forms?
  Basic Movement Patterns
  Athletic Position
  Balance/Proprioception
How do we improve our “Elite”
Athlete?
Quality
  Specific Training or General Training?
  More resources put towards Elite Development (Own the
Podium) or More attention on Grassroots Development?
Quantity
What do other sports do?
  Hockey
  Smaller Surface (Half Ice Games)
  Basketball
  Shorter Nets, Smaller Ball, Smaller Court
  Soccer
  Fewer Players, Smaller Ball, Smaller Net
  Tackle Football
  Traditionally, A Smaller Ball in some cases.
The Football Solution
  Six-a-side Football
  Has existed in USA since the 1934 and in Canada (Sask) since
the 1950s
  Created to serve smaller communities and reduce travel for youth
wanting to play football.
  Has major developmental advantages to the traditional twelve-aside game
Developmental Advantages of Sixa-side
 Who do children want
to emulate?
 Allow Children the
chance to touch or
tackle the ball,
regardless of position
or size
 5 Eligible Players on
Offence
Developmental Advantages
Continued
 Technical Development
 Skill Generalization – Six-a-Side
vs. Skill Specialization – Twelve-a-Side
 Fewer Players on a Team
  More Opportunity for One on One Coaching
  Greater Number of One on One Situations
 Stature of Children
  Skill Sets That are Generalized can be Transferred to Other
Positions
  Traditionally Player Selection is Based on Size rather than
Ability
Developmental Advantages
Continued
  Physical Development
  Smaller Field
  Smaller Ball - Dependent
on Age
  Fewer Players
  Allows for less chance of
players getting tangled or
fallen on in pile ups
Canadian Football Fields
6 Aside Shootout
Football Field
6 Aside Shootout
Football Field
Developmental Advantages
Continued
  Cognitive Development
  Fewer Players
  Allows for fewer visual distractions
and allows for faster cognitive
processing of the plays occurring
  Greater Spatial Awareness
  Understanding Abstract Concepts –
Football Plays
  Common Playbook for the League
  Psychosocial Growth
  Learning a Variety of Skills
  Desired Activity and Appropriate
Environment
Developmental Advantages
Continued
  Tactical Development
  Fewer Players
  Less happening on the field,
less to memorize
  League wide playbook
  Allow coaches to focus on
technical skill development as
opposed to tactical
development.
The Product
 Canadian Six-a-Side Curriculum for Minor
Football
 Focus in philosophy
 Empowers coaches to promote skill success not
tactical success
 Common Playbook and Insertion Schedule for the
Entire League
 Challenge coaches to be competitive with outsider
the box thinking
Saskatoon Minor Football
6aside Football
  “From the Playground to the Pros, It Starts Here”
  Mission
  The focus of the league is skill development, not competition.
Coaches will take the time to teach each player a varitey of
positions in a fun inclusive environment. As an introduction to
tackle football the six-a-side game is superior; it allows for a far
bigger skill set to be developed by each player. Fewer players on
each team (20) ensures that there is more one on one coaching
made available to each player
  Teams
  Teams are in two unique divisions Grade 5/6 & 7/8. Children are
placed on teams geographically as well as first registered first
served basis.
Saskatoon Minor Football
6aside Football
  Aim
  The aim of the six-a-side football curriculum is participation in
the game and development of football skills amongst youth in
a success based environment by upholding the following values
of coaching in sport.
  Sport is considered an integral part of the holistic development of
youth. Football should offer a positive experience where
athletes can apply what they have learned to sport and what they
have learned in sport to life.
  Players are encouraged towards an active healthy lifestyle,
through the promotion of skill development and participation.
The curriculum of six-a-side football must be structured for
success in order for athletes to appreciate and internalize an
active healthy lifestyle.
  To make available technical knowledge, directly or indirectly
related to football … and develop assessment techniques for
evaluating the skill and knowledge within the total program.
Saskatoon Minor Football
6aside Football
  Goals
  The goals of the six-a-side football curriculum are focused on the
development of youth within the sport of football.
  Youth participation in football at a variety of positions.
  Whole player development through learning a variety of skills at a variety of
positions.
  Teach the necessary movement and football skills to offer participants a solid
foundation which to build upon their skills.
  Basic skill concepts are taught that are easily transferable to other positions.
 
 
 
 
Staying Low
Staying Square
Moving Feet
Keeping an athletic base
  Teaching football literacy so participants understand the language of football
to better understand the game and expectations at each position.
Saskatoon Minor Football
6aside Football
  Coaches
  Coaches primarily are current and formers CIS/CJFL players who
are currently in their off-season from play.
  Coaches receive NCCP training as well as a philosophy clinic at
the start of each season.
  Season
  May 1 – Last Weekend of June
  Playing Football in an Off-Season Challenges
  Pilot in 2009 with 8 Teams
  Crossover between Fall and Spring Leagues
  Who are our players:
  23% of Players Play in Both Leagues These Players Have a higher than
average BMI
  Hockey Players in Spring
  Loss of participation numbers in older Flag Football Leagues but marked
increase in grades 1-4 Flag Football
Saskatoon Minor Football
6aside Football
  Coach Development
  Recruitment and Training of Young Coaches Currently Playing or
Just Finished
  Good Understanding of Best Practice and Latest Technique
  Develop the next generation of coaches.
  Official Development
  Officials play the role of educators
  Young Officials are recruited to learn under Mentor Officials in a
game that less distracting and easier to see infractions
  Player Development
  Players learn FUNdamental Football Skills
Offensive Philosophy
  Offensive Player Development – Whole Player Development
Part I
  Blocking is Taught Everyday
  Basic Offensive Concepts
  Calling Plays
  Positioning Players on Offence
  Six-a-Side Formations
  Basic Offensive Tactics
Defensive Philosophy
  Defensive Player Development – Whole Player Development
Part II
  Tackling is Taught Everyday
  Positioning Players on Defence
  Fronts and Responsibilities
  Basic Defensive Tactics
Special Teams Philosophy
  Specialty Skills will be taught to all
  Special Teams is omitted in minor football
  Reduced incidence of injury
  More time in practice to focus on fundamental skills
Other Coaching Considerations
  Season Planning
  Weekly Planning
  Practice Planning
  Development of Younger/Inexperienced Players
  Coaches on Field and In Huddles
  Role of Officials as Educators
  Proper Matchups
The Possibilities of Six-a-Side
Football
 Continued Growth in Rural/Northern/
Maritime/ Communities Across Canada
 Excellent opportunities for minor Football in
Small and Large Centres
 Opportunities for Regional Representation
and National Competition
 Greater Development of Football Coaches
and Players
 Growth of Women’s Football All Ages
References
  Anderson, D.I. (2002). Do critical periods determine when to initiate sport skill learning? In F.L. Smool & R.E. Smith
(Eds.) Children and youth in sport: A biopsychosocial perspective (pp. 105-148). Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt
Publishing
  Andrews, G. (1999). Fifty years of athletics in education: a history of the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic
Association. Regina: SHSAA
  Anshel, M.H. (1990). Sport psychology; From theory to practice. Scottsdale, AZ: Gorsuch Scarisbrick
  Bailey, R. (2006). Physical education and sport in schools: A review of benefits and outcomes. The Journal of
School Health, Oct 2006; 76, 397-401.
  Bee, H. & Boyd, D. (2007). The Developing Child, 11th edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
  Berk, L. (2000). Child Development, 5th edition. Needham Heights,MA: Allyn & Bacon.
  Brown, J. (2001). Sports Talent Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois.
  Bompa, Tudor O. (1999). Periodization: Theory and methodology of training. Windsor, Ontario, Canada: Human
Kinetics
  Claxton, G. (2007). Expanding young people’s capacity to learn. British Journal of Educational Studies, 55, 115-134
  Conroy, D.E. & Coatsworth, J.D. (2007). Assessing autonomy-supportive coaching strategies in youth sport.
Psychology of sport and exercise, 8, 5, 671-684.
  Conroy, D.E. & Coatsworth, J.D. (2006) Coach training as a strategy for promoting youth social development. The
Sport Psychologist, 20, 128-144.
  Coop, R.H., & Rotella, R.J. (1991). Sport and physical skill development in elementary schools: An overview. The
Elementary School Journal, 91, 409-413.
  Football Saskatchewan (2006) Annual report: Saskatoon, SK: Football Saskatchewan
  Football Saskatchewan trainer checklist (2002). Retrieved March 12, 2002 from the Football Saskatchewan Web
site: www.footballsaskatchewan.ca
  Football Saskatchewan emergency action plan (2002). Retrieved March 12, 2002 from the Football Saskatchewan
Web site: www.footballsaskatchewan.ca
  Gall, M.D., Gall, J.P., & Borg W.R. (1996). Educational research an introduction, White Plains, NY: Longman.
References Continued
  Global junior championship history. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2008 from the National Football League –
Global Junior Chamionship Web site: http://www.nfl-gjc.com/Results__97_-__07.htm
  Haubenstricker, J.L. & Seefeldt, V (2002). The concept of readiness applied to the acquisition of motor skills. In
F.L. Smoll & R.E. Smith (Eds.) Children and youth in sport (pp. 83-103). Dubuque, IO: Kendall/Hunt Publishing
Company.
  Petitpas, A.J., Cornelius, A.E., Van Raalte, J.L., and Jones, T. (2005) A framework for planning youth sport
programs that foster psychosocial development. The Sport Psychologist, 19, 63-80.
  Posner, G.J. (2004). Concepts of curriculum and purposes of curriculum study. In: Posner GJ (Ed). Analyzing the
Curriculum. (3rd ed) NY: McGraw Hill, 2004: 2-32.
  MacKelvie, K.J., Khan, K.M., & McKay, H.A. (2002). Is there a critical period for bone response to weight-bearing
exercise in children and adolescents? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 36, 250-257.
  Malina, R.M., Morano, P.J., Barron, M., Miller, S.J., Cumming, S.P., & Kontos, A.P. (2006). Incidence and player
risk factors for injury in youth football. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 16, 214-222.
  Malina, R.M., Cumming, S.P., Morano, P.J. et al. (2005). Maturity status of youth football players: A non-invasive
estimate. Medical Science of Sports and Exercise, 37, 1044-1052.
  Mirwald, R.L., Bailey, D.A., Cameron, N., & Rasmusen, R.L. (1981). Longitudinal comparison of aerobic power in
active and inactive boys age 7.0 to 17.0 years. Annual Human Biology. 8: pp. 404-414
  National Coaches Certification Program. (2006). Community Sport-Initiation Flag: Reference Manual for Novice
Football Coaches. Ottawa, Ontario: Football Canada.
  Passer, M.W. & Wilson, B.J. (2002). Motivational, emotional, and cognitive determinants of children’s agereadiness for competition. In F.L. Smoll & R.E. Smith (Eds.) Children and youth in sport (pp. 83-103). Dubuque,
IO: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
  Rauch, F., Bailey, D.A., Baxter-Jones, A., Mirwald, R., & Faulkner, R. (2004). The ‘muscle-bone unit’ during the
pubertal growth spurt. Bone, 34, 771-775.
  Rowland, T.W. (2004) Children’s exercise physiology. Windsor, ON: Human Kinetics.
References Continued
  Salkind, N. (1994). Child Development, 7th edition, Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company
  Six-man football history (2008) Retrieved January 27, 2008 from the Wikipedia Web site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-man_football
  Sherer, L. (2004). Do physical maturity and birth date predict talent in male youth ice hockey players?
Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
  SHSAA beliefs (n.d.) Retrieved December 10, 2007 from the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association
Web site: http://www.shsaa.ca/pages/const/index.php#belief
  Smith, R.E., Smoll, F.L., & Cumming, S.P. (2007). Effects of a motivational climate intervention for coaches of
young athletes’ sport performance anxiety. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29, 39-59.