The Future Game

Ahead of England’s participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup this summer, The FA has produced a brand new blueprint for the future of football in this country.

FA Learning, the educational arm of The FA, has begun distributing its innovative technical coaching guidelines document aimed at improving the technical aspects of training in England, especially amongst younger age groups where early development has been identified as key.

The guide which is entitled ‘The Future Game’ and was written by The FA’s coaching department, has been worked up collaboratively with expert coaches from the professional game and is initially being distributed to all Academy managers in England before being further rolled-out to professional managers, coaches and executives before an intended autumn grassroots launch.

Outlined in the document are the anticipated requirements that young players will need to play the game at the highest levels in the future. Also included in the 275-page guide is The FA’s playing and coaching philosophy and guidelines for player development in age specific sections with over 100 practice sessions.

Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA's Director of Football Development, said: “This is a vital document for the future of the English game. If we are serious about developing world class players for England, this is our start point.

“It has been many decades since The FA last produced a technical document aimed at reviewing the state of the game and projecting forward how we need to develop players to contest at the highest level of world football.

“These guidelines address the issues we face and provide a basis for the technical development of young players, which is key to England’s future success.”

The blueprint has been endorsed by many leading figures in the national game, including Gordon Taylor of the PFA, who added: “Our aim is to produce world class players, and to achieve that we'll need world class coaches. We feel these technical guidelines will help us achieve that goal.”

Howard Wilkinson, Chairman of the League Managers Association, said: “There has been increasing demand over the last five years for The FA to provide technical guidance for coaches working with young players in professional clubs.

“My experience working with UEFA have given me the opportunity to see similar coach and player development guidelines produced by the leading European football nations. As I fully expected, The FA Future Game document is comprehensive, up-to-date and as good, if not better, than similar publications I have seen.”

Ged Roddy, Director of Youth at the Premier League said: “The FA Technical Guide provides a well written and coherent resource designed specifically for youth coaches who are working with potential elite players of the future.

“The guide provides clear statements on how The FA sees the development of the game at elite level. To this end, it will help youth coaches to formulate successful coaching plans for youth Academies that aspire to develop elite players for the professional game.

“The technical guide will be welcomed by those in the game who are tasked with developing the next generation of Premier League players, its publication will contribute significantly to the future plans for the development of elite players in England.”

Graham Hawkins, Head of Player Development for The Football League Trust, added: “The Football League supports the publication of The FA’s new Technical Guide for Young Player Development.

“This document will allow clear understanding of The FA’s philosophy on how to train and develop young players effectively. I am confident that, together with the new FA Youth Awards Modules 1, 2 and 3, it will provide a much more co-ordinated approach to younger player development, which will ultimately benefit the national teams.”