Football Queensland is pleased to be able to provide the Football
Squirts program. This is the only recognised and endorsed program for
children under the age of five and therefore participants and clubs will be
covered by the state insurance program.
Clubs are reminded of the risks involved in running non-sanctioned
events, as insurance coverage is not extended to non-sanctioned events. In the
event of an insurance / liability claim being made by a participant, cover will
not be provided.
If you wish to run a Squirts program, you can contact Football
Brisbane for the program and registration books. The cost of the program is $5
per participant and payment should be forwarded to Football Brisbane with
completed registration forms.
What is the Squirts program?
The Football Squirts program has been created to develop the
football skills of 3 to 5 year olds.The program will enhance the opportunities
for young children to receive quality, consistent coaching. The hope is that in
acquiring basic skills, participating children will not only learn correct
technique but will also develop a love of the “world game”.
The Football Squirts program promotes football-based exercise and
activity for younger children who are not able to be registered to play. It can
be used as a stand-alone program at specific times during the week or as a way
of involving younger family members on weekends while their older brothers and
sisters play scheduled matches
The program is not a “technical coaching” program, but a tempered
introduction to the great sport of football. The very basics of the game are
introduced and experienced by the participants through different drills,
practices and games.
The program consists of 50 actitivies.
The football itself is the Coach’s main tool and this ought to be
utilised as much as possible. Elite players are not the ultimate outcome we are
seeking, rather the development of the individual participant’s gross motor
skills in conjunction with them becoming physically active. Running, stopping,
ball control, jumping, turning, balance, agility, movement and general
co-ordination are all skills to be acquired and improve. Needless to say, all
sessions have to be fun practices. The coach has to be seen as fun, not as the
“finger-wagging” teacher or instructor.
What do we teach in Squirts football?
1. Coordination (body)
The very essence of movement should be an integral part of each
session. Basic skills such as running, jumping, turning and twisting are to be
introduced.
2. Motor Skills Development
With or without a ball, the children are to be challenged in
simple gross-motor skill movement.
3. Hand-Eye and Foot-Eye Coordination
This is integral for all sports and ought to be developed whether
or not football is ultimately their chosen sport.
4. Introduction to Stretching, Exercise and their Health
Benefits
Full body stretches are not advocated, but rather an introduction
to such activities to educate the children on the benefits of healthy lifestyle
choices.
5. Basic Fundamentals of the Game and its Skills
The skills are introduced in a fun and relaxed manner. By
introducing the information in a subtle way, the children are learning the basic
fundamentals under the guise of having fun.
6. Balance
This element is important not just for football, but for life in
general. One-legged stand has never been so much fun with and without the
ball.
7. Games and the Focus of Fun – not Winning
After several weeks of sessions and practice the concept of a game
becomes instinctive in the participant’s football development. Simple throw-ins
and goal-kicks skills are taught, but they are basically allowed to have fun and
permitted to learn through play. Participation and having fun is the key element
we are seeking to promote.
8. Sportsmanship
We seek to instill in participants a need to show courtesy to
others as they would like to be shown. The program aims to develop good athletes
who accept winning and losing in the same spirit and manner. Encouragement of a
positive outlook, to always look forward to the next game, is something we hope
to instill.
9. Rules and Regulations
We are aiming to give the children very basic rules so they can
enjoy the game to a greater level. The concept of tackling and body contact will
be addressed and monitored where needed.
10. Respect for Others and their Space
An underlying theme will “Be respectful of all players and
officials”. Enjoyment from participating in the game, regardless of the result,
is to be fostered.
Session Guidelines
0 -10 minutes - Warm up – Co-ordination, motor skills, stretching
10 – 18 minutes à Skills of the game introduced through fun activities
Drinks
20 – 30 minutes - Balance, Hand-eye / Foot-eye co-ordination
30 – 40 minutes - Skills of the game introduced through fun
activities
Drinks
42 – 50 minutes - Shooting or Single-Sided-Game (SSG) or “Beat the
Coach”
This is only a brief outline of the Football Squirts program.
