EnglandDNA.com launched at The FA's coaching conference
Read more at http://www.thefa.com/news/st-georges-park/2015/dec/england-dna-website-launched#EheX3qXHAe4kocp4.99


Clubs and coaches, at all levels of the game, can learn more about the playing and coaching philosophy of the England teams through the new EnglandDNA.com website.

The website - launched at the start of the FA national coaching conference, England DNA: Connecting the Game - features a series of interviews with FA technical staff outlining the vision for future England teams and players and the importance of a consistent and co-ordinated coaching approach for all England age-group teams.

Matt Crocker, FA Head of Development Team Coaching, hopes the EnglandDNA.com website will help to strengthen relationships with all those involved in English player development at all levels of the game.

“One of the aims we set out at the start of the England DNA project was to be open with everyone in the game and provide an insight into our beliefs on young player development and how the England teams operate,” explained Crocker.

“We hope that by releasing detail of the DNA methodology through the EnglandDNA.com website it will continue the communication process and also play a key part in supporting the ongoing education of coaches who will be encouraged to use the site as part of their studies.

Crocker added: “Coaches will be also encouraged to apply the ideas in their own context at the clubs they work at different levels of the game.”

Stars of future urged to 'Love the ball, love the game'

Aspiring generations of future England players are being encouraged to "Love the ball, love the game."

It's all part of the launch of new age-related guidelines designed to help coaches in their work with young players and provide a clear pathway for the development of future England internationals.

The England DNA age-phase priorities, which highlight the importance of 'staying on the ball and mastering the ball', 'exciting with the ball and seeking creative solutions', as well as 'Intelligent defending' and 'outwitting your opponent' have been launched at the four-day FA National Coaching Conference, England DNA: Connecting the game, which started at St George’s Park on Friday.

And FA technical director Dan Ashworth believes the nine headlines will help coaches at all levels of the game work more effectively with young players.

"Since launching the England DNA framework last December, we have worked in collaboration with the professional and grassroots game to establish some clear and simple guidelines for those working with young players in the three age-phases of youth development: 5-11 ; 12-16 ; 17-21," said Ashworth.

"We hope the England DNA age-phase guidelines – which you can learn more about through the new EnglandDNA.com website - provide ideas and inspiration for those that seek age-appropriate support for their work."

The development of the England DNA age-phase framework comes at the conclusion of the 12 month-long England DNA Leadership group which has seen FA technical staff working alongside experts from the professional and grassroots game as well as other sports, academia and research.

Ashworth has been enthused by the collaborative way of working.

"Encouragingly, the England DNA project has shown how different elements of the game and other sports and institutions can come together to share ideas and expertise on player development," he explained.

"We hope the launch of the guidelines will create further discussion and opportunities to collaborate with all those interested in this area," added Ashworth.

500 coaches are expected to continue the discussion about the importance of connecting each stage of a young player’s journey at this weekend’s annual coaching event.

Ashworth believes the best coaches working with young players have a clear view of the whole development journey.

"Whether your coaching role is to provide an enjoyable introduction to the game at the foundation phase or to expertly guide a 17-21 year old into the senior game – it is crucial to understand where the players in your care have come from and where they may go to next, tailoring your approach accordingly," explained Ashworth.

Pete Sturgess, FA Technical lead for the foundation phase, stresses that the development of future creative and technical players who can play the ‘England DNA way’ starts with the type of play encouraged with the very youngest players.

"Instead of players taking the easy option and playing the easy pass or kicking the ball out of play easily, we want coaches to say to young players ‘can you start something good for our team by staying on the ball and by trying to shield the ball and stay in possession’. We want to keep possession rather than surrendering it really cheaply," he explained.

image: http://www.thefa.com/~/media/images/thefaportal/pillars/england/u16s/2015-16/dan-miccoche-pointing.ashx?la=en

England Under-16s head coach Dan Micciche
Dan Micciche has provided his input into the new England DNA coaching guidelines

It is an approach, echoed by Dan Micciche, FA Technical Lead for players 12-16, who also identifies intelligent defending as a key part to attacking more effectively.

"In order to play an expansive attacking style the players have to be prepared to defend 1v1 or maybe outnumbered and they need to be able to able to cope in those situations.

"One of the other headlines is ‘winning the ball cleanly’. So for example, when the ball is in the air and the defender goes up to head the ball they should be looking for a cushioned header into a midfield player or look to bring the ball down on their chest, as opposed to heading the ball off the pitch."

Alongside the focus on intelligent play, FA Technical Lead 17-21 Neil Dewsnip, stresses that core defending techniques haven’t been forgotten.

"We still have to develop an attitude that the players want to defend. Equally as important are the skills of defending the goal which is crucial at every stage along a young players journey," explained Dewnsip.

The FA National Coaching conference England DNA: Connecting the game takes place on 4-7 December at St George’s Park.

The four-day conference will explore how to connect each stage of a player’s development journey in order to provide a positive experience of the game.

To learn more about the England DNA and the age-phase priorities visit www.EnglandDNA.com

Follow @StGeorgesPark for highlights from the conference.


Read more at http://www.thefa.com/news/st-georges-park/2015/dec/england-dna-age-phase-priorities-041215#HBqmm44JhBpvrdEX.99