Science and Practice of Youth Soccer

Michael Duncan is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at Coventry University and a British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences accredited (BASES-accredited) Sport and Exercise Scientist with research interests in the field of children, motor competence, movement science, physical activity and exercise. He is a Fellow of the BASES, a member of the International Motor Development Research Consortium and a UEFA licensed football coach. Mark Noon, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science. He is a Chartered Scientist, a BASES-accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist, an accredited strength and conditioning coach, and a UEFA A licensed coach (accredited level 4 coach). Mark’s previous employment includes sport science and coaching roles in football at international, professional and semiprofessional levels. André Seabra, PhD, is a Professor at Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, and Director of the Portugal Football School, Portugal Football Association (PFA). He holds a PhD degree in sports science, a master’s degree in high performance training and a master’s degree in public health. In 2013, he received the sponsorship of UEFA and PFA to implement an intervention study titled "Football as Novel Therapeutic Approach to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Portugal".

Section I: Coaching in Grassroots Soccer. 1. Pedagogical Approaches to Grassroots Coaching. 2. The Race to 11 vs 11: Structuring of Competition Environments in Grassroots Youth Soccer. 3. Planning and Practice Design in Grassroots Coaching. 4. Building Creativity and Decision Making into Coaching. 5. Working across Genders in Youth Grassroots Soccer. 6. Working with Disabilities in Youth Grassroots Soccer. 7. Talent Development in Grassroots Soccer. Section II: Physiology and Strength and Conditioning. 8. Growth, Development and Maturation in the Young Soccer Player. 9. Principles of Training. 10. Strength and Conditioning for Youth Grassroots Players. 11. Motor Competency, Physical Fitness, and Skill Assessments for Grassroots Football Coaches. Section III: Sports Psychology and Motor Development. 12. Effective Working with Parents. 13. Psycho-Social Development of the Grassroots Player, Including the Voice of the Child. 14. Effective Development of Fundamental Movement Skills as a Foundation for Soccer Performance. 15. Using Principles of Nonlinear Pedagogy to Develop Soccer Skills.