THE SCHEDULES

“At this age I constantly had the ball at my feet – and there is no better way to increase your fine motor skills in the ongoing effort to make your feet become like your hands. So whether you’re a beginner at 6-years-old or you’ve been playing since you were wearing nappies, that ball constantly at your feet is without question the ultimate foundation point for every young player”.

“At this age I started working on more advanced ball skills and using different parts of my body to control the ball. Football became my obsession.”

“By this age I was well and truly spending every free moment I had dribbling in and out of cones, kicking the ball against the wall and breaking glass walls – much to the dismay of my parents. That ball never left my foot.”

“While I never stopped working on my ball skills, now came the point where reading different scenarios/pictures in a game such as learning to recognise when to pass and when to dribble became a very important part of my football education. Decision making became just as important – if not more – as my technical ability.

“By this age I was representing my state and was ear-marked for Institutes of Sport. I had by this time found I was most comfortable in midfield and then began to tailor my strength and weaknesses based on this position. Eg Midfielder: Constantly scanning the field, looking for space to receive the ball and to create options for my teammates in the form of little triangles.”