Northern Beaches
Our training philosophy, put simply, is for players to become technically competent with the ball, work to develop the required physical components before going on to excel in game situations. We aim to continue raising the bar of player development to levels not seen, perhaps not yet dreamed of, creating the complete eleven-a-side player.
Our program is of a long term nature with the emphasis initially placed on the individual rather than a team methodology. We believe the game should first be seen as an individual pursuit and complete domination and mastery of the tool of the game, the ball, be attained before the player moves into game play.
"Our program is of a long term nature with the emphasis initially placed on the individual rather than a team methodology."
Simon Clifford draws the analogy with music in that a young and aspiring musician would spend a minimum of three or four years perfecting and developing the command of their instrument before being invited to perform in an orchestra.
The individual nature of Brazilian Soccer Schools training is supplemented by an increased number of training hours, where through constant repetition players can refine and improve both basic and complex skills.
Work with the smaller (size 2) and heavily weighted (10% rebound) Futebol de Salão ball is used particularly in the early years to aid the development of the individual in game situations. The game and ball provide the best skillbuilding environment for 11-a-side football.
As players grow older the focus is still very much on technical development alongside a far greater emphasis on physical training, game play and tactical training.
Conventional footballs (size 4 and 5) are used for longer passing, heading and shooting, alongside balls of other weights and varieties used to achieve specific learning outcomes. A size 1 and weighted ball has been designed to aid the development of our youngest players, whilst the slightly weighted (30% rebound), size 4, Futsal ball is used on grass to support older players converting their skills to the 11-a-side game.
Brazilian Soccer Schools’ training sessions vary in duration depending on age. A typical two-hour training session would be split into thirds constituting individual ball work, paired or group work and game play. The sessions and game play are of a very intense nature with little time for stopping or instruction.
Elite Brazilian Soccer School players are encouraged to train for two-hours each day within their regional program. Brazilian Soccer Schools also encourage players to devote an hour a day to individual practice working with a ball following the Brazilian Soccer Schools Skills Badge Scheme very much in the same way a musician would practising their instrument.
