The Springhead AFC Way 1922 Springhead AFC Clubhouse

‘The Springhead AFC Way’ 1922 Springhead AFC Clubhouse Ashfield Crescent, Off St John Street Lees, Oldham OL 4 3 DG 0161 627 0260 www. springheadafc. co. uk

‘The Springhead AFC Way’ 1922 Who We Are How We Play The Head Juniors' Player How We Coach How We Support

Who We Are 1922 Origins A Club For Life Springhead AFC were formed in 1922 when we were known as Lees AFC. Around the 1960 s we moved to our present location. We are an FA Charter Standard Club. Our clubhouse was built by players and members for todays players and members. In 2009 we were elected the West Riding County FA Community Club of the year. In 2010 / 2011 we were given the WRCFA 'Outstanding Contribution to Community Football' award. In 2012/2013 we were voted both the WRCFA and FA North of England Community Club of the Year. We currently have over 250 players and 30 Qualified coaches We believe in providing football from cradle to grave for all who want to play. We do not hold trials and membership of Springhead is based on a first come, first served basis, limited only by the number of coaches available.

Who We Are 1922 Philosophy Why we’re here The club prides itself in being accessible to all and includes players of all abilities. We are here to encourage players to play and enjoy football. We recognise three main reasons why children play football are. . . “It's fun”, “it keeps me fit” and “I can play with my friends”. How we measure success The club measures success by the number of players with the club, the low number of players that leave the club and the improvement in ability of players. Playing philosophy 1. Every squad member will play at least 50% of the time (allowing for injury and other mitigating factors) 2. We will maintain a high level of sportsmanship. 3. We will try to play attractive and creative attacking football. 4. We will try to win every game (but not at the expense of points 1, 2 & 3 above) Respect Springhead AFC adhere to the FA Codes of Conduct for Players, Coaches and Club Officials

How We Play 1922 Philosophy Springhead AFC will endeavour to play attractive attacking football by playing out from the back and through all thirds of the pitch. We recognise that the key elements in this philosophy are ● In Possession ● Out of Possession ● Transition ● Set Pieces ● Formations Importantly, the goalkeeper is included in all aspects of the playing philosophy both in and out of possession. Our goalkeepers are viewed as part of the team, and not apart from the outfield players. We do recognise that the practical application of this philosophy will vary dependent on the age and Ability of the players in each team

How We Play IN POSSESSION 1922 SAFC teams aim to intelligently control possession selecting the right moments to progress the play and attack the opposition. ● Counter Attack ● Retain and Build ● Progressing through the thirds ● Creating and Scoring The fluid nature of the game means each aspect of possession is closely linked. Similarly, possession may be lost at any stage prompting a transition to the out of possession philosophy. COUNTER-ATTACKING Counter attacking is the execution of quick and incisive attacking play that exploits opponents’ defensive state and leads to goal-scoring opportunities. RETAINING AND BUILDING Effective ball retention is the domination of possession for the purpose of identifying and creating opportunities to progress the play and create goal-scoring opportunities. PROGRESSION AND PENETRATION Progressive and penetrative play is the execution of forward passes or forward running and dribbling (or a combination of both) that moves the ball between and beyond opponents into advanced areas of the pitch to create goal-scoring opportunities. CREATING AND SCORING Creating and exploiting goal-scoring opportunities is the ultimate aim of the playing philosophy. Intelligent individual and combination play together with the execution of a variety of finishing techniques are encouraged in this phase.

How We Play 1922 OUT OF POSSESSION SAFC teams aim to intelligently regain possession as early and as efficiently as possible, taking into consideration the state of the game, the environment and pre-determined game plan ● Emergency Defending and Goal Prevention ● Pressing ● Delay, Deny and Dictate The fluid nature of the game means each aspect of the out of possession phase is closely linked. Similarly, possession may be regained at any stage prompting a transition to the In Possession philosophy. PRESSING Pressing is the intent to regain possession by pressurising the opposition in a strategic, intelligent and controlled manner. DELAYING, DENYING AND DICTATING Delaying the opposition, denying space and the preferred method of attack and dictating the direction and speed of play is the next preferred method of defending if opportunities for pressing are denied. EMERGENCY DEFENDING AND GOAL PROTECTION Emergency defending is the process of protecting the goal when it is at its most vulnerable. DEFENSIVE SECURITY During both In Possession and Out of Possession phases the defensive security of the team must be considered. All players will contribute to defensive security by effective positioning, awareness, organisation and communication.

How We Play 1922 TRANSITION Transition is the process of recognition and response in the first few moments following the regain or loss of possession. Transition is one of the most important aspects of our playing philosophy ensuring our teams exploit opportunities to attack intelligently and organise defensively. SAFC teams sense changing moments in the game and react instinctively and intelligently ●Recognise change of possession and state of the game ●Good decision making ● 1 st individual actions ●Unit reaction ●Team reaction

How We Play 1922 FORMATIONS SAFC teams will play with tactical flexibility, influenced by the age and ability of the players and the requirements of the match or competition For example, a team could use a nominal standard formation of 4 -2 -3 -1. Allowing flexibility of formation, this could change to a 4 -4 -1 -1 when out of possession and a 2 -3 -2 -3 or 2 -1 -2 -5 when in possession SET PIECES SAFC teams will be proficient with set pieces, both in possession and out of possession. Emphasis will be given to the following set pieces. . . ● Corners ● Goal Kicks ● Free Kicks from Central Areas ● Free Kicks from Wide Areas We recognise that Set Pieces often lead to a change of possession and we will set up to deal with the transition as well as the initial set piece.

The SAFC Juniors' Player 1922 Springhead AFC Junior players up to and including U 10 age group will be encouraged to play in every Position including goalkeeper. Position specialisation should not be considered until U 11 age group. Springhead AFC Players will be developed in all four corners of the Sport England Long Term Player Development programme ● Technical ● Physical ● Social ● Psychological We will encourage players to be aware of various formations, tactics and strategies.

How We Coach 1922 Ethos Teams and Squad Children usually play in school year groups from under 7's to under 18's. Teams are selected to match, as near as possible, the ability of the leagues in which they play. As children develop at different rates, players could transfer between teams during the season to allow more game time, matching of abilities, injuries etc. This needs to be carefully explained to the children and their parents before any change. Movement between teams should be kept to a minimum with major changes occurring as the teams move from 5 to 7 to 9 to 11 a-side (i. e. every two years at U 7, U 9, U 11 & U 13) Practice Sessions Teams at the same age level should be seen as a single age group rather than individual teams. Where possible, all players in an age group will practice together at the same time and venue. At least a quarter of the session should involve all players working together. Coaches should work with all players in the age group and not just their team. Coaches must recognise that understanding the way children learn is more important than an advanced knowledge of football (Refer to FA Youth Award). Players should be allowed to develop skills and tactics themselves with the coaches giving guidance as appropriate. More touches means more improvement. For age groups up to and including U 15, Coaches should not take part in practice drills and games, other than to demonstrate. Coaches should always have a session plan that is part of a season plan. Coaches should ask questions rather than give answers. Coaches must be aware of the Relative Age Affect.

How We Coach 1922 Ethos Match Days Match days can be emotionally charged but coaches must use them as an opportunity to develop players. Coaches must let the players play. (It is not a game of FIFA 18 where every action of every player is controlled by the coach. ) Patrolling the side-lines continually shouting orders to players does not work. Remember Praise, Praise and Praise again. All players in a squad should get at least 50% game time. Over a season all players should get equal game time. If, for disciplinary or non-attendance reasons, a player does not get equal game time, this must be explained to the player and their parent/carer before the game starts. Priority for team selection should be given to players who regularly attend practice. All leagues allow rolling substitution. Players should be rolled on and off the field to allow for breaks, to allow other players to play and to move the players into different positions. For age groups up to U 12 (i. e. 5, 7 or 9 -a-side matches) players should be used in a variety of positions during a season (including goalkeeper). Coaches should recognise there is no such thing as a ‘natural position’ for a young player. All teams in an age group have equal priority for pitch usage and the Pitch Controller should rotate KO times equally. Teams must not play longer matches than the league rules allow. (Typically 5 -a-side - 30 or 40 minutes, 7 -a-side - 40 minutes, 9 -a-side 60 -minutes, 11 -a-side 70, 80 or 90 minutes).

How We Coach 1922 Ethos Close Season The close season is an important time for players (and coaches) to rest and recharge. Long term injuries and burn out can be avoided by ensuring this is implemented. Junior teams should have a minimum of 6 weeks close season in the summer with no practice sessions or matches. Typically this will run from the End of May to the Middle of July.

How We Coach 1922 Best Practice Qualifications All team managers and coaches must hold the FA Level 1 (FAL 1) Coaching Award or equivalent, including an Enhanced CRC certificate, Emergency First Aid certificate and Safeguarding Children certificate. New coaches will be expected to take and pass the FAL 1 course within 12 months of taking up the role. After 12 months, if this award is not achieved, we will need to confirm a plan for completion of the qualification. All helpers at coaching and on match-day must have a valid CRC certificate (or have an application being processed by County FA) At U 7 & U 8 levels, due to the number of small-sided teams involved, it is acceptable for a non-qualified parent to assist with team management on match days whilst under the supervision of an FAL 1 coach. Continual Development All qualified team managers and coaches are expected to keep up to date with best practices and to attend, where appropriate, coaching courses and seminars as the club or FA may organise.

How We Coach 1922 Best Practice Dress Code All coaches must wear club issued kit whilst at practice and on match days. Club issued Shirts, Sweatshirts and Rain Tops should be worn as appropriate for the weather. It is recommended that socks, shorts and track suit bottoms should match club colours. Acceptable colours are predominately Red, black and white. All coaches must wear their WRCFA CRC ID Card or FA Licensed Coach ID Card when at practice and matches. Behaviour All club coaches, team managers and match day assistants must adhere to the FA Respect Code of Conduct Smoking is not allowed whilst representing the club at practice and matches. Please note that several of the club venues (including playing areas and car parks) are designated legal No Smoking areas.

How We Coach 1922 Fundamentals

How We Support 1922 …. . . the Player and the Coach The club will providing funding for all coaches to reach the required accreditation levels for their role. Coaches will be provided with SAFC kit where funding is available. All SAFC Juniors teams should be coached by a qualified FA Coach. All coaches must have a current DBS certificate where required All coaches should be accredited in Emergency First Aid and Safeguarding Children procedures. All coaches must wear club provided kit Players and Coaches will be encouraged to make use of our partnership with Oldham Athletic Football Club Community Trust, MCFC in the Community and MUFC foundation. All coaches will have access to a qualified FA Coaching mentor whilst at our club.

REMEMBER 1922 This is a living philosophy which will change over time, We need to ensure consistency throughout all age groups WE ALL NEED TO PLAY OUR PART!