On Thursday 12th November a selection of more able footballers from Year 4 and 5 attended Fulham Football academy  with the aim of developing their own perceptions and ability.  The facilities were impressive and our arrival welcomed.

The group of boys played the Fulham U9’s in a series of 15 minute high tempo games.  The boys played a variety of positions with each 15 minute game separated by a debriefing and coaching period so that focus was on ‘how’ they played as a team not the goals scored.

Players rotated positions and team formation changed each game, to give players an idea of how to play as a group and the roles different positions and formations required.  By the final game they had stopped chasing the ball and begun to play better football.  Fulham proved a very tactical side constantly trying to outwit us.  Watching them play and organize themselves on field was not dissimilar to a complex game of chess where players positioned themselves strategically for an effect that became apparent much later.

All the boys enjoyed the game and I was certainly impressed by the way they were able to adjust to a much more academic way of play that called on them to think about what they did and anticipate what might happen.  Goals were scored by both sides, but the focus, and what is hopefully lasting, was the huge improvements individuals made in how they played as a team and their knowledge of the ‘beautiful game’.