It is BCSSA aim that each person leaves the course having improved their football skills, but also through playing and interacting with coaches and other players from around the world, they learn so much more!

For young people to achieve their potential BCSSA make the tasks set, enjoyable, challenging but achievable. To ensure that each person makes progress through the week BCSSA initially group the players in their chronological age group. If throughout the week, the player demonstrates that he would benefit from moving up a group, if this is feasible, BCSSA aim to ensure that it is done. This decision again would be in consultation with the player. For each age group, there are recommended phases of learning which if kept to would ensure that your child develops at the right pace.

All participants will be given the opportunity to play in games against local opposition.

As was pioneered by the Bobby Charlton Soccer School, all participants will take part in a number of Skills Challenges. One player from each of BCSSA courses will be selected to compete in BCSSA World International Skills Final which will take place in the Autumn. BCSSA do get many elite players visiting the school and BCSSA most famous past pupil, who won BCSSA Skills Final was David Beckham for whom BCSSA set up a trial with Manchester United.

On the first day, groups are established based on age and ability. During the weekend (for children staying more than one week), there are no practices only rest time or excursions.

Junior 8 - 11

The "golden age of learning". This is a great age, when the player is open to learning. They like new ideas, and usually work hard on task, to perform well. This is the phase where it is imperative to make sure that the players learn to become “football literate”

The Fundamental stage is when the players learn the techniques which they will need to become good players including: Passing, Finishing, Heading, Dribbling, Ball Familiarisation, Control, Running with the ball and Body Management. These skills are so important, and should not be rushed. BCSSA will ensure that these techniques are learnt properly by creative, innovative coaching. All these new skills and techniques can be used in small game scenario situations, always fun and challenging, but always developmental.

Throughout the week BCSSA also allow them to take the individual Skills Tests that they are famous for.

Senior 12 -16

Despite having played quite a bit of football, there still is a lot to learn about the game which they love.

Developmentally they should now all be quite good technically, but this is also the stage where physically their bodies and their hormones are changing rapidly, so their football education has to take this change into account if we are to get the best out of their stay with BCSSA.

The course will still work on the individual, working on technique.Along with the players around them, they are getting bigger, faster, and stronger and so their technique needs to be better and quicker also. But in this phase BCSSA will start to challenge the players tactically. What is their role and responsibilities when their team have the ball, what is their role and responsibility when the opposition have the ball, and what do they have to do when the ball is in transition. These three phases of play will be covered as well as the scenario work, covering what happens in these situations in different areas of the field. BCSSA will tend to do this through pairs work, into units, before moving to 8 v 8. Finally, BCSSA youngsters relish the chance to test out their new found knowledge against a local side that will come in to play the 11 v 11 game against BCSSA squad.

Youth 16 - 18

These young adults attend the course ready to work hard. They attend the course because they still want to improve. With this positive mind set BCSSA is able to work with them intensively.

Their course joins up all previous learning’s, technically and tactically, they will have the foundations to move forward and begin to really analyse the work that they do. BCSSA course will provide them with information and skills that will prepare them to move into the adult game. BCSSA will get them playing better, harder and smarter. This course will spend time working players Physically and Mentally, on and off the field of play.

GOALKEEPING

The goalkeeper is a specialist position on the field and therefore requires dedicated coaching. Goalkeepers need to develop unique skills to become confident leaders in and around the goal area. BCSSA has designed BCSSA programme to provide coaching in all aspects of the position to suit all goalkeeping requirements, focusing on optimising the player’s performance in goal.

Typical sessions include: angle and positioning, handling, diving, dealing with crosses, footwork, shot stopping, one vs one, kicking and ball distribution. BCSSA aim to help the goalkeeper achieve a level of success, regardless of ability. During the week BCSSA goalkeepers have the opportunity to try out their new found confidence and skills when BCSSA host matches between local teams.