I'm surprised Basha is going to the UK for training?

There also sound like shocking machinations occurring all over the country about selections.

Krones has thrown light on what one coaching change did in Queensland's state FFA branch, Peter de Roo, and how he perceived different qualities in players.

True. FFA is very dogmatic about promoting its own system.

For the record this is my point of view only as i see it. Not Basha's.

Basha goes to asia and the UK for qualifications and his educational systems but employs coaches from around the globe. Why would someone with coaching, training and talent want to be steamrolled with the stupid FFA system. If he wanted to become a brainless FFA drone and produce nothing then FFA would be the place to go.

The guy has a group of 16 year olds that would kick arse anything FFA could put together and call them socceroos. The next few years for ASA is going to be bigger than previous years and australia will miss out on them because of the current system. But the system doesn't give a shit about anything other than promoting it's own system at talents expense.


Life in the current australian football world...You can either be borged or be talented. At least that option is still in our hands.

This is constantly posited by opponents of the FFA NC. It is also a fair comment.

I can be accused of pushing the FFA party line, but we have not had trained in this current methodology from the critical ages of 10 upwards (SAP, Skillaroos), like what is occurring now. FFA realise Japan is just so far ahead of us, and Asia is a fast improving zone. Like Gregory Parker has suggested, it is very difficult to improve players' decision making at older age levels. We will see improvements in national teams, but it will take time.

Note Craig Foster's changing attitude to the FFA system. His brother is a FFA staff coach. Craig has been privy to changing methodological changes in FFA over the last 6 years.

Craig Foster has just completed the FFA centralised C Licence. He is now much more patient about change.

I feel like some FFA sessions I've seen don't encourage straight out drill and repetition for improving technique per se. We had an interesting discussion about first touch at a FFA session last night for targeted coaches. One rep coach wanted to improve her rep teams's first touch.
I suggested juggling , straight out one touch passing from two metres apart, plus Barca Academy's Directional Control, at the same time suggesting to the FFA instructor that I knew they dislike isolated drills not taught in a game sense. I still differ from FFA, that sometimes technique needs to be taught explicitly.

The FFA instructor then added a very clever game sense corollary to Directional Control. However, I thought he missed the point about the cold, hard technique. Then again, I've massively changed to incorporate a lot less isolated training in my program in the last few months. The players also like it a lot more.
The FFA session taken last night was the best I've seen, apart from Schans and Derkson from the KNVB. I learnt heaps.

Edited by Decentric: 2/8/2012 11:37:22 AM

He can't say it publicly because he is owned by the system. The same as players cannot be picked with better talent because of the system. If we are at the point where the system is failing then time to get rid of the system and those that have turned the system into a dictatorship. No system is bigger than Australia and it's success and people should be able to speak their minds about it.

This isn't germany 1943 or a communist country. If we are all going to walk around and let the king have no clothes then we will be left exposed as well. Japan have made the leap forward in advanced techniques which suits their players. Yet we embrace an old outdated system that has produced sweet feck all. Hence the downward spiral. The system is like a rolling bulldozer that will squash anything in it's path. So while we let this happen get used to being flogged by asian countries and australia will slowly rank lower and lower and qualify for less and less. It's already happening. And I see nothing in the future of our youth of the current applied system to suggest otherwise.

This is where I strongly disagree. The German federation used the Dutch model in the early mid 2000s to overhaul their system. The leading lights in German football considered their system wasn't producing the players Holland was per capita head of population. Dutch methodology is not archaic. In KNVB courses they say they can't play Total Football, now, because the contemporary game has changed. They contend modern teams can negate it, with superb counterattacking abilities.

The Dutch also strongly advocate constant updating of knowledge for all coaches. FFA's Norm Boardman, Kurt Reynolds and Anthony Alexander, the latter two over the course of the last year, and the former in two workshops have been inculcating me with this ideology.

NB used me as an example in a training session two weeks ago. Randomly, NB selected me and asked me my occupation. He then suggested I was greatly advantaged to train footballers, because of my working background. Subsequently, he asked me to explain how teaching had evolved over the last 20 years. I expounded.
Then, NB pushed the compelling case that we must all keep updating our knowledge through coach education, like they do in Holland, France and Germany to keep abreast of changing phenomena and trends in the game.


As for Euro, Holland were disappointing over three games, but were apparently fantastic in qualifying. As we know there are fine margins between winning and losing in major tournaments. They apparently lost against Denmark, when they should have won. This would have almost guaranteed progression to the next round.

In the 2010 WC, Holland reached the final, if we are discussing tournament results.

It seems I'm fortuitously being deemed to be one of the coaches right in the FFA loop at this point in time. I'm getting access to a lot of Skillaroos, SAP training for a few selected coaches (I'd like to see all get it, but many are not interested), almost weekly, even though I'm not a current rep coach.

Compared to the old training I did, pre 2007, the progressions are fantastic and really stimulating. Nevertheless, I will take your point, and others too, that the Dutch system is based on a team plan, like Brisbane Roar's. Players fit a system. Roar have played the best football we've seen in Australia, aesthetically speaking, and I know you like watching them.

Sometimes it can be harder to fit players with a unique skill set into a the game plan, Scott McDonald, but ultimately we will be better off.

A year ago, I was right out of the FFA loop, for different reasons. I really need to work on heuristic training for game sense that FFA is now doing so well. I'm also fortunate that I have access to some very good coaches in the FFA system, but as you and others probably correctly point out, they are not widely enough spread. What I also like about these coaches, is they welcome constructive criticism, e seeing every coaching or truing sessions as a learning opportunity. The three FFA staff coaches I've cited, are open minded and welcome differing views.

Berger has been candid in blaming himself, for we as coaches in Australia having less prior knowledge than he assumed. The Dutch training is highly cerebral and believe it or not, not prescriptive,, but imparted within a framework. What we have to acknowledge is the new Berger led emphasis on coaching education will improve training ground practice.

It puzzles me that some coaches who understand the NC, fail to want to implement it, but we are often talking about older coaches, intransigent in their ways.

Tony Basha is achieving considerable success, by from what you say, not adhering to the NC. I wonder If he were deemed to be a targeted coach by the FFA hierarchy, like yours truly, and was constantly being provided with coaching educational opportunities ( at a much higher level than me), if he would still feel outside the FFA system, like I did a a year ago?

Always enjoy your contributions to discussion, Aussiesrus.:)











Edited by Decentric: 2/8/2012 11:09:32 AM

Edited by Decentric: 2/8/2012 11:13:08 AM

Edited by Decentric: 2/8/2012 11:14:14 AM

This is a fair point, but I think it amounts to subjective selection by coaches - not a failing of methodology.

ASA has results with players not wanted in the system, but a different coach within the FFA system may have selected the two lads who have gained contracts with EPL clubs through ASA.

I imagine in NSW there are so many players with similar abilities, good players can regularly miss out. Apparently Kewell, Tobin and Cahill missed out on some rep teams in the past.

I don't agree with Berger that we rid Australia of private academies. I know a state FFA TD who agrees with us privately, but can't say it publicly.

Judy (Chips) knows nothing about changes in curriculum. He has a very limited capacity to deconstruct. He has limited capabilities to compare changes in curriculum, having failed a very basic FFA refresher course.

Aussiesrus suggests different, but plausible perspectives. His views are probably based on seeing a decent academy in operation, but ignored by FFA, plus unfair selection processes in rep teams. One can contend that the latter is an Australiawide phenomenon.

I take issue with him on methodology though. While still respecting Aussie's opinion, he proffers an interesting antithetical view.

I know I'm being pendantic but I do beleive we (many coaches) are comming around to developing content which we believe will satisfy the NC criteria, of that I'm certain. By looking at the AFC C licence requirements I'm even more certain.

While the time aspect is important to move forward, traditionally we train twice a week, but if our 14-19yo are training 4 nights a week it must have an effect on a players development and performance.

Berger's updated NC will either affirm what we are doing or cause a rethink.

They (Being Han Berger and Team) believe that they can "change" these coaches view.

Needs Judy on here.

If a coach isn't implimenting the curriculum it's because they think it's no good or is of no use to the drills etc.

If a person is going to the trouble to write detailed instructions then it is silly to assume they know steps 1, 2 and 3 and leave them out.

As you guys know i'm not a fan of this new system. The system is outdated back to the days of hollands golden days of "Total football" well the rest of the world has moved forward and this system is rather archaic.

Also if the dutch system is so good why does a team like holland fail to get out of the group stages in euro2012 without winning a match? If even the dutch can't play it with any success what makes berger think australians can and it suits us?.

It's ok for berger to claim at this point the fruits of the system will come when those exposed to it come to the fore but in essence we have had AIS and NSWIS of the last 3 years tooled from it and it has returned dismal results. I've seen first hand and watched some of these AIS products train and play weekly and I can tell you it does not impress me.

Sorry to the believers but this new system just reminds me of the cosmetic product "Avon" It's costly, it may make you look good but deep down it does nothing else.

There are systems that get results and there are systems which no matter how much you promote them do not.

Decentric, You know what system i'm talking about. No other australian system, club can boast a player signed with manchester city. I can tell you if it wasn't for the system i'm talking about this kid would not even get into a rep side. Yet those that have been through the current system can't get off the bench at most clubs they are signed too. Other systems provided by successful academies are just a slap in the face for berger which is why he wants them out. Because it makes his system look 3rd rate which in my opinion it is.

The fact australia has failed to qualify at any level for the olympics is a sign of the future and a bad workman always blames his tools for a shitty job. Sound familiar?

but know one in authority is asking it.

Good question.

Han has the power to replace them.

You blokes are making my blood boil everything you are saying is hitting the nail on the head.
too many for me to quote.
but

this one from hans makes me really mad.

please someone tell me

[size=9]WHY ARE THEY STILL THERE[/size]

Well nobody is doing this amount of training apart from the NTC that I know of.

In this aspect, time committed to training ground instruction, hardly anybody is doing the NC.

Had 2 smile the other day when a SAP coach used an exercise (used alot at EPL academy )developed by the England FA as part of its revamped age appropiate courses

One reason I bring this up is that some clubs claim that they apply the curriculum yet when you take into consideration that the U10/U11 group is required to train 3 times a week, U12/13's & U14/15's four times a week and the U16/17 & U18/19 upto six times a week, yet these clubs provide two sessions per week only.

So how do you implement all components of the NC if your training for 3 hours a week when 4.5 hours 6 hours per week is required?

Just heard that at the last Skillaroos coaches camp the Melbourne coaches session was called a good "grassroots" session and after one of the NSW skillaroos coaches session the poor coach was hauled over the coals by Berger.
Which surprised me as I know how much and how well the Victorian Coach applies himself to the job.

Hadn't heard that Berger was unimpressed with the NTC and state teams not following the NC.

The SAP and Skillaroos certainly are following the NC from the many sessions I've observed.

I am now understanding that the Dutch instructors are shocked at the genuine lack of knowledge in Australia. Even some FFA coaches have been pleased to receive Dirk's Academy sessions as a great training ground tool.

The local SAP trainer makes all his sessions up from a sound knowledge base. He is one of the joint authors of the FFA SAP program.

Two other split state league senior coaches have told me they make their drills up at sessions, but neither follow the NC. They only touched the ball 200-230 times per session when I observed them. According to FFA's Game Development Manager, Norm Boardman, there is now an expectation players will touch the ball for a minimum of 600 touches.

I think our club is, but not so much that players do specific things at specific ages per se.

Some players develop more quickly and need different training to extend them. Others develop more slowly and need reinforcement. Ironically, we are not part of the state league next year.

Another club not precluded from next year's state league is definitely doing the FFA NC.

There are some club youth coaches doing the NC, but there is not the carry over to senior level.

i think some clubs would be willing to implement it of they felt they had the knowledge base. Many coaches lack confidence, even after completing FFA coach education courses.







Edited by Decentric: 1/8/2012 01:14:33 PM

I think in our discussions on this forum we certainly discussed that content was lacking. Also eveident by the amount of drills and articles researched from the internet by forumites.

While as a friend pointed out to me how many clubs (In Victoria) are actually doing the NC?

We were hard pressed to find any in fact we doubt there are any. My club Nunwading and Caufield Cobras being closest.

Does anyone beleive that since the NC came out in 2010 is any club following the curriculum in your state?

Are there any clubs claiming to follow the Curriculum in your State?

While it is not necessary for a club to follow the NC, does any one think that the NTC, State Teams etc are actually following the curriculum?
I have heard that Han Berger was not impressed with the quality of sessions conducted by our Skillaroo coaches recently. Maybe thats why the more detailed NC is comming out, as he would have more contact time with them.


So we would have to say the the NC has been a failure in its first two years as no-one has been able to implement it.



Edited by Arthur: 1/8/2012 11:10:45 AM

“Version two will explain everything I took for granted, and how it relates to version one. It will be more in-depth and practical - exercise sections will be included.

“Last time I presumed that if they understood the philosophies, the coaches themselves would be able to design the drills.”



Most coaches who did the KNVB course felt like this.

No wonder the KNVB coaches looked perplexed when we wanted prescriptive exercises to use on the training track.

They assumed we had greater knowledge, like they obviously have in Holland.

With Dirk's Academy Sessions I've started modifying some of them, but it is great to have a primary source.

Arie Schans just simply said, "Try the internet". As many of us know there is a lot of garbage on the internet.





Edited by Decentric: 1/8/2012 12:39:54 PM

FFA Technical Director Han Berger says Australian football needs a shake-up, writes Fox Sports' Simon Hill

By Simon Hill
FOX SPORTS July 26, 2012 5:28PM

FFA Technical Director Han Berger has issued a stark warning to Australian stakeholders in the world game, particularly those charged with developing the next generation: implement change now or Australia will be left behind in its bid to become a power on the global stage.

Berger, who has been in the job for three years, says there is still much confusion as to what the National Curriculum is designed to achieve. So much so, that he is currently writing a second, updated version, due to be released at the end of the year.

“Fundamental change is never easy,” says Berger. “New processes do take a while, but I’m not sure we’re moving fast enough.

“Youth development is still all over the place, and the general level of youth coaching is still very poor.”

Berger admits he himself is partly to blame.

“I assumed certain knowledge levels and understanding when writing the curriculum,” he says.

"The first version was about the philosophical approach, but some haven’t been able to grasp it. Others understand, but aren’t keen to implement it.

“Version two will explain everything I took for granted, and how it relates to version one. It will be more in-depth and practical - exercise sections will be included.

“Last time I presumed that if they understood the philosophies, the coaches themselves would be able to design the drills.”

Berger’s vision is of a unified system of development from the A-League down.

The National Competitions Review - unveiled only last month - has been designed to create a level of elite clubs under the A-League with the proper structures; “Pathways to develop players from under-12s upwards,” as Berger puts it.

“A licensing system will ensure that these clubs (the current State League clubs) have accredited coaches, junior teams down to under 12s, a football plan, and a Technical Director,” Berger adds.

“The A-League clubs should have the same structure and in 5-10 years time, every A-League club should have its own youth academy.”

But putting all that into place doesn’t only take time, it takes money. Who pays? Berger doesn’t have the answer, but he is unequivocal in his stance.

“We have to make a choice,” he says. “The game is only sustainable with these structures in place.

“If Australia cannot build a real football culture, then progress will be difficult.”

“At the moment, people don’t work together. At State League level, youth coaches move around and take players with them, or clubs try to offload kids overseas because they smell money, or are linked to private or overseas academies. Where is the pathway?”

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Progress has been made in coach education, with FFA designed courses replacing the generic qualifications presented by regional body AFC.

“AFC have approved our new courses and, along with Japan, we are the only AFC member federations which are allowed to run its own courses instead of the generic AFC ones,” says Berger.

“But educating a new generation of modern coaches is a time-consuming process and it will take time before we see the result of that.”

The Japanese of course are the regional benchmark. The Blue Samurai are Asian champions, their women’s team World Cup holders and their under-19 side thrashed Australia 5-0 recently in AFC under-22 Cup qualifying.

Berger was in Sumatra to watch the Young Socceroos campaign, and believes Japan's year-round football is a huge advantage (he’d like to see all NYL teams follow Newcastle Jets' lead and play in the local state competitions), but it’s their long-term plan that really makes the difference.

“They have a 50-year strategic football development plan which aims to win the World Cup by 2030, cut into various steps with timelines and objectives along the way. They are very structured in what they do.” says Berger.

And so, Berger implores clubs, coaches and administrators to put the plan for Australia’s long-term future into place. Now.

“If we are serious about being a leader in the world game, then we must implement these changes and create these conditions. If we are unable to, then we must revise our aims.” says Berger, whose updated version of the curriculum will have as its sub-title: “Roadmap to World Class”.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a- ... public_rss