While categorization is done on a general level, training loads of a football player can vary based on rather biological than on chronological age. The Football Future Pro Coaching Academy program is divided into two yearly blocks. We consider the following teams and age groups as relevant to our program: Feeder Teams DP program U6/U7, U8/U9, SAP program U10/U11, U12/U13 and FFPCA Elite Teams U14/U15, U16/U17 and our High Performance Group U23s Cambodian Future FC being the benchmark and the semi professional team of the academy.
FFPCA Discovery U3s/U4s/U5s
Football skills base for little people. That is, FFPCA Mini Kickers aged three to five years old, having their first time experience of the world game in a fun oriented games environment. The innovative program creates a love of the game which will last a lifetime. The football based activities promote the development of motor skills, cognitive skills, encourage group interaction, social and communications skills, and all of this offers an excellent form of exercise. Mini Kickers enter the program having never kicked a ball and leave with a wealth of football experience. For those that wish to progress to club/academy football, they are developing a level of skills, knowledge and experience while having the time of their lives.
FFPCA Discovery U6s/U7s and U8s/U9s
During these blocks of two years the aim is to develop game-related techniques with the emphasis via fun and enjoyment. The coach creates an appropriate positive learning environment to enable players to master the ball and to foster their natural development through playing small sided games. There is a small amount of unopposed technical practice and instruction as required, however the amount of tactical information is minimal in Year 1 and limited in Year 2. The players experience different activities, play many small sided games of 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 and experience playing in different positions including goalkeeping. By the end of the stage, the players have learnt how to act with the ball purposefully with confidence.
FFPCA Teams SAP U11s/U12s
This is an important age range for acquiring a good technical foundation and to continue the development of game related techniques. The coach creates an appropriate learning environment to enable players to master the ball and move towards development via opposed situations while encouraging creativity. Possession practices are directional if possible to encourage awareness and receiving the ball to enable the player to play forwards. A host of tactical situations are introduced. The overall emphasis for the age group is to learn through playing small sided games.
FFPCA Teams SAP U13s/U14s
These age groups the aim is to continuously build on the work done in the Feeder Teams and to develop technical competency and ball mastery. Our goal is to develop players with the confidence to play with both feet. There is emphasis on directional passing practices and developing 1v1 proficiency. The players will make the transition to playing 11v11 football and will need the basic tactical knowledge on a group level to enable them to perform within this different environment.
FFPCA Teams U15s/U16s
As the players get older the emphasis is on developing tactical proficiency on a group level as well as enhancing tactical skills on a team level. The coach incorporates proper passing into sessions such as switching play, receiving into playing through the thirds or midfield players playing side on. At this stage, there is still an obvious need to work on technical development and morning sessions can be used for this work that is covered in isolation.
FFPCA Teams U17s/U18s
At this stage sessions are aimed more at individual players or small groups of players always relating to specific game situations. These sessions develop strengths and improve weaknesses. The players spend more time analyzing their performance both individually and as a team and developing their decision making and their ability to perform effectively. The main focus changes to ensuring that players leave the academy as fully equipped as possible to play at the highest level.
