Give Us Back Our Game News Page

JUST IMAGINE!

2008-02-03T03:09:00.000-08:00

Just Imagine!

Just imagine for a moment Youth football organised solely for the benefit of the development of children

Where coaches’ desires of living out their football managerial fantasies were non existent

Where parents sporting ambitions were not being lived via their children

A system of sports development that did not focus upon winning over development

Where the improvement of a child learning to kick a ball with his weaker foot was heralded as much as the top goal scorers latest hat-trick (or a 40 yard screamer)

Parents smiling on the touchline, non-judgemental, win or lose

Referees enjoying their duties as official, due to the genuine thanks and respect they receive from players, parents and coaches

Football designed for children and not for mini adults

An environment and culture that cultivated a respect for your opponents

Training programmes that stretched and motivated children of ALL abilities

Youth football matches played in a competitive but aggression free environment

A structure of football that catered for the specific and changing requirements of youngsters as they mature to prevent the drop-out in the early teens

Football facilities that allow the development of football skills all year round

Coach education that maximised the potential in our youngsters

Just imagine! For without imagination great goals can never be achieved

With imagination, belief and resolve English football could truly be “The Beautiful Game!”

Just imagine “England World Cup Winners!”

(c)Mark Edwards

INDEPENDENT ARTICLE

2008-01-31T00:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a recent article from the Independent about children's football and GUBOG
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/turf-war-how-britains-playing-fields-became-a-battleground-769949.html

GUBOG ON RADIO 4

2008-01-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a piece about a mum and coach who took the Give Us Back Our Game route.
Excellent piece, very funny and well done Vanessa!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/saturdaylive

COACHES TRIP TO HOLLAND

2008-01-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

GUBOG has joined forces with the dutchUK football school in organising a coache's trip to Holland.
The trip is from 10th - 13th April and will include visits to professional and grassroots clubs to watch coaching and games from young children through to adults.
We will have talks and presentations with top coaches and watch a professional match.
The trip includes hotel accomodation, full board, tickets to game and a luxury coach to take you around Holland.
For further information please contact Paul Cooper on giveusbackourgame@gmail.com

THE POPE JOINS THE DEBATE!

2008-01-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

Children's football has been in the public eye for a while now, with some excellent debate.
Now the Pope has joined in by saying how important children's football is to their development as people.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7179757.stm

RADIO 4 - YOU & YOURS

2007-12-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the link to the Radio 4 YOu & Yours programme on pressure in children's football.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/
30 minutes in from the start

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

2007-12-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

GUBOG feature in another article, this time in the Sunday Telegraph
My mother, the football hooligan

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/02/nrfootball102.xml

Tommorrow - Monday we feature on You & Yours Radio 4 at noon in a feature on pressure on children in football.

SCIENCE BACKS GUBOG

2007-12-01T06:24:00.000-08:00

Here is the scientific argument backing GUBOG's philosophy

A Neuro-physiological Basis for Developing Future Skilful Players
--
Why The Give Us Back Our Game approach is THE best way to produce Young Gifted Players.

Rick Fenoglio
Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sport Science
Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire
Co-Founder: Give Us Back Our Game

The reason that most traditional football teaching techniques and commercial coaching programmes often fail to deliver is because they are based upon outdated models of how young children actually acquire new skills.

The majority of methods used by coaches to develop football skills in our young children consist primarily of skill drills with lots of repetition of the skill to be learned. Approaches such as these are based upon the notion that as a child first attempts to learn a new football skill, the body begins to lay down a neuromuscular or motor ‘pattern’ of movement that the player can access whenever he or she plays football. The young player, in terms of skill acquisition, is viewed as a ‘motor pattern learner’ and, so the theory goes, by repeating or practising the movement or skill, the ‘pattern’ eventually becomes engrained into the player’s neuromuscular football-related arsenal of skills. Possibly, the coach may have ‘demonstrated’ the technique to be learned.

There are several problems with this very common approach. The first problem arises when the player has to use the skill in the ever-changing environment of real football play. Techniques learned by the player on their own usually do not transfer into effectiveness in matchplay or games. Why? Because, essentially, the player has to ‘re-learn’ the skill (almost from scratch) within the ever-changing context of playing the game. As a result, it makes you wonder whether the skill would have been better taught within the game context in the first place in order to save time. Secondly, this ‘motor programme’ approach grossly underestimates the abilities of children (and their neuromuscular systems) to learn highly complex movements quickly if given the correct environment and stimuli. Furthermore, by trying to duplicate the demonstrated movements of the coach, the player-learner will be less likely to experiment and find his/her own ways of manipulating his/her body (and the ball) in order to be successful on the pitch. History shows that the best players developed their own way of playing and being skilful.

The Give Us Back Our Game approach to player development is different. The not-for-profit campaign views the player-learner as a whole child whose learning and skill acquisition comes not from repetition or mimicking a coach’s demonstration, but from ‘interacting’ and playing within adapted matchplay and games (e.g. small-sided games). Instead of a theoretical basis that has the development of ‘motor patterns’ as its goal, Give Us Back Our Game draws upon ‘constraint-led approaches’ in skill acquisition and a ‘dynamical systems’ approach to learning new tasks. These relatively modern approaches to skill acquisition and player development view young player-learners as very highly developed, adaptable and responsive learners who are highly reactive to the changing environment and stimuli encountered during football. Real and lasting learning and skill development arises out of interaction with the game, the environment and the other players on the pitch.

As a result, these relatively modern approaches redirect the focus of player development back onto the use of play-based activities and adapted, small-sided games that most effectively and most quickly advance a player’s football development. Real football learning and skill development arises not from repetition of one-dimensional movement patterns, but rather from an interaction and adaptation to the specific demands of the task or game being played. From a neurological perspective, the billions and billions of ‘neural networks’ in each young player help him or her to first analyse, and then develop, skilful solutions to the problems encountered during football play. If the boy or girl play enough small-sided games, the ability to the child to be a successful problem-solver on the pitch (that is, to be skilful) within the context of the game increases dramatically. Physiologically, performing successful skills in football is a highly complex task involving coordination, strength, spatial awareness, body control in the context of the immediate challenge facing the player. To young players, each of these challenges is unique and children need as much gameplay as possible to decipher situations and find solutions using their new skills. Hence, the dicta…let the game be the teacher and let the children play! The coach’s role is to manipulate and adapt the small-sided game so that particular skills and abilities are developed in context where players (and their neural networks) are provided with plentiful and varied opportunities to analyse, synthesise, act, react, make mistakes, try new things and have fun during football play. Several of the games and the abilities they develop can be found on www.giveusbackourgame.co.uk. The results are a more matchplay-related, faster and more robust learning of the skills needed to successfully meet the challenges that playing football offers and that young players so enjoy.

But you won’t get this by playing 7 v 7, 8 v 8 or 11 v 11 where players hardly touch the ball and play in set positions. You won’t get it in the current system because the physical requirement for young players is too high and there are too many influences distracting children from learning, such as spectators and, too often, coaches. Furthermore, studies from our Department found that in terms of number of touches of the ball, number of passes, number of shots and number of 1 v 1 encounters, 7 v 7 and 8 v 8 were quite similar to 11 – a –side football. We concluded that 3 v 3, 4 v 4 and 5 v 5 were the optimal small-sided games for the 5 – 12 age groups as they combined optimal number of touches without being too strenuous (as in 2 v 2 or 1 v 1 football). Certainly Rinus Michels and others had no knowledge of current learning theories; they simply used commonsense to decide that smaller-sided games, and 4 v 4 in particular, were most appropriate and effective for developing good young footballers. It is only now, from current theoretical data and what we see on the pitch, that we see that the approach has too many merits to ignore. Add to this the Give Us Back Our Game demand for more ethical playing environments and more child-centred approaches and you have a solid blueprint for developing young, gifted British players. But we are already playing catch-up with other countries!

Tips for coaches:

Use the GUBOG 80/20 rule for training and matchplay (if possible). 80% (or more) of the training time should be spent with the children playing adapted small-sided games. The remaining 20% can be used for warming-up, instruction and other fun non-football games that develop multilateral co-ordination. Small-sided games are a more effective and more matchplay-specific method for learning skills than drills. Drills are too far removed from actual play to be highly effective;

Mistakes are good! Praise the bravery that goes into trying. Studies show that children either take no notice of criticism or play worse as a result;

Evidence shows that the first coach a young player has is vital for instilling a love of the game by creating a safe, non-threatening and enjoyable environment in which children can learn. By giving some ownership of training to the boys and girls themselves and by letting them make some decisions, you foster independent learning;

Training should be variable so that learners can explore and discover their own solutions to football problems. Remember that history shows that the best players developed their own way of playing skilfully and achieving success on the pitch.

‘Instruction’ from coaches can be used – but this should be in the form of ‘nuggets of information’ that the player can quickly and repeatedly attempt in a small-sided game.

Demonstrate only briefly then let players experiment and try to find their own way of performing a movement or skill.

Use guided discovery and question-and-answer techniques rather than prescriptive coaching.

In the Give Us Back Our Game approach, coaches shape and guide rather than direct; and know that game intelligence and skill can be more quickly and more effectively developed by the use of adapted, game-related activities.

Let the Children Play!
© Rick Fenoglio – November 2007
www.giveusbackourgame.co.uk

References:

Davids, K., Button, C. and Bennett, S., Dynamics of Skill Acquisition (2008),
Human Kinetics Publishers, Champaign, Illinois. ISBN: 0736036865.

Fenoglio, R. (2005), A 4 v 4 Pilot Scheme for U9 Academy Football Players. A Research Report. In-house publication. Manchester Metropolitan University.

Verheul, M (2004) Constraints on Coordination: Intrinsic dynamics, behavioural information and asymmetry in bimanual rhythmic coordination. PhD Thesis, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, ISBN 90-9018278-0.

Whitty, A.G., Spinks, W., Murphy, A., Watsford, M.L. & Pine, M. J. Coordination changes of a complex motor skill under differeing practice conditions. The University of Technology, Sydney Australia.

Williams, A.M. & Hodges, N.J. (2005). Practice, instruction and skill acquisition: Challenging tradition. Journal of Sport Sciences, 23(6), 637-650.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Mr R Fenoglio Manchester Metropolitan University. All rights reserved.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

2007-11-30T00:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Supporter

This has been the most amazing year for both myself and Rick Fenoglio, co-founders of GUBOG
We had no idea when we started out that we would find ourselves overwhelmed with so many emails of support and encouragement.

GUBOG is becoming the most influencial campaign in children's sport for years and in order to continue as we are, we desperatly need funding.
We are a not for profit organisation working towards charity status and need additional funding from sponsorship and advertising.

Therefore we are appealing to all our supporters for help.
Do you own or work for a business that might be interested in sponsoring or advertising with us?

A huge thankyou to everyone out there who has helped to make this campaign the success that it is.
I look forward to hearing form you if you can help us.

Kind Regards

Paul Cooper
giveusbackourgame@gmail.com

THE DUTCH APPROACH

2007-11-28T00:48:00.000-08:00

In today's Times is this article on the Dutch system for youth football.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2957535.ece

In April, Give Us Back Our Game in conjunction with the dutchUK football School is organising a coaches trip to Holland.
This is to see how the Dutch system works, which has the child at the centre.

The tour visits both professional and amateur clubs and looks at training and games with both children and adults.

For more information, please contact Paul Cooper on giveusbackourgame@gmail.com

GUBOG IN THE TIMES

2007-11-27T01:03:00.000-08:00

There is an article about Give Us Back Our Game in the Times today as well as several pages on 'The Lost Generation' - what is wrong with kids football.
Here is the article on us
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2951191.ece

We will also feature in another article in the Times about football in Holland later this week

GUBOG IN THE PRESS

2007-11-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

Since England were knocked out of the Euro 2008 qualifiers we have been contacted by a lot of the media who are interested in what is happening at grass roots level both here in the UK and what is happening abroad.
Is it really connected?

The important thing is that it opens the debate again into children's football.

Here are the two articles that appeared in Sundays papers. The Observer and the Sunday Mirror.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2007/11/25/there-is-hope-98487-20158004/

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2216617,00.html

CHIPPENHAM TOWN COUNCIL

2007-11-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

I had a great morning watching an U7s GUBOG Matchday Experience event run by Chippenham Town Council.
They do this once or twice a month and are looking at doing it every Saturday and including more age groups.
On a bitterly cold morning 32 children turned up (a great number for 4v4s!)
The children were made up of boys and girls from two clubs and a number of individuals as well (anyone is welcome)

6 teams of 4, all played 6 x 10 minute matches
After the first game we changed a few players around to make the teams roughly even and the football was great.
The teams are all mixed and I walked around asking parents their thoughts.
They all said the first 2 weeks the kids were a bit unsure about going out of their club side teams, but now love it. Something different each time and it really helps with both their social and football development.

The council have just purchased some portable floodlights and are now looking at running a weekly GUBOG event for teenagers underlights on grass.
Can't wait to go and see that!

Give Us Back Our Game, Chippenham Town Council and North Wiltshire District Council working together for the children.

MORE COUNTY FA's JOIN UP

2007-11-19T23:11:00.000-08:00

As well as Staffordshire and Shropshire County FA's wanting to do GUBOG fun days and festivals. They have been joined by Huntingdonshire and Lancashire County FA's.
One of the FA skills coaches based in Lancashire said that the 4v4 fun games where kids referee themselves and where there is no coaching is the perfect environment for children to try out their newly found skills.

ACADEMIES - C of E's

2007-11-18T13:19:00.000-08:00

Sue Palmer is an author and writer on children's issues. She has two best selling books, Toxic Childhood and Detoxing Childhood (which featured GUBOG)
Sue is at present writing a book on 'Boys' and is interested in interviewing anyone who has had experience of excessive 'hot housing' in Academies and C of E's that has ruined players.

If you have a story to tell, please can you contact me in the first instance.
Paul Cooper giveusbackourgame@gmail.com

CREATIVITY

2007-11-16T02:11:00.000-08:00

Why are we not creating imaginative creative players like we have in the past.
Because adults know best?

Creativity and Consciousness
Chris Lucas
"A mind that is stretched to a new idea,
never returns to its original dimension

Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

"In 1968, George Land gave 1,600 5-year-olds a creativity test used by NASA to select innovative engineers and scientists. He then re-tested the same children at ages 10 and 15. The test results were staggering! 98% at age 5 registered genius level creativity, 30% at 10 year and 12% at 15 years of age. The same test given to 280,000 adults placed their genius level creativity at only 2% ! In his book 'Breakpoint and Beyond', co-authored by Beth Jarman, Land concluded that non-creative behavior is learned".

COMMUNITY PROJECT

2007-11-15T04:50:00.000-08:00

Give Us Back Our Game have been working along side a terrific community project in Ashford called South Side FC.
Every Saturday children from 10-13 years old play 4v4 and other SSG's in Victoria Park. Every week they are getting 5-6 new players and the kids are playing some great imaginative football.

I am at present working on another project which is in my own neighbourhood called the Chesterton Project.
We are looking at running fun SSGs for the local kids at two grass sites.
There has been a lot of problems with drink, drugs and arson recently and there is very little for the kids to do.
This will be run more on youth club lines than football club lines and we have already sorted out insurance etc.
If we get this up and running, GUBOG would like to use it as a blue print for community projects all over the country.
Lets get kids out and playing football.

COUNTY FA's TO WORK WITH GUBOG

2007-11-14T12:08:00.000-08:00

It has been a very busy week and we are delighted to announce that both the Shorpshire FA and Staffordshire FA will be holding GUBOG fun days and festivals throughout their respective counties.

Last Saturday we had a great workshop at Faversham Town in Kent which we shared with two of the FA skills coaches.
Yesterday we had a meeting in Batley, Yorkshire about a joint GUBOG, schools fun day on the 12th December involving 7 schools.

This coming Saturday I am attending the Chippenham Council run 'GUBOG Matchday Experience' for U7s and U8s. They are also doing GUBOG sessions at many of the local schools.

Next week we have a meeting with Bulmersh School in Reading about a 5 school fun day and also discussions with Cotswold District Council about some community projects.

Give Us Back Our Game is out there and 'living' with boys and girls from football clubs, schools, council run projects, youth clubs, soccer schools and playgroups 'playing' football on their own terms, having fun and using their imagination

YOUR FOOTAGE OF JUNIOR/YOUTH FOOTBALL NEEDED

2007-11-08T06:29:00.000-08:00

DO YOU HAVE FILM FOOTAGE OF PARENTS, COACHES, MANAGERS OR ADULTS BEHAVING BADLY AT YOUR CHILD'S FOOTBALL MATCH OR TRAINING SESSION?

Give Us Back Our Game and Dont X The Line have been approached by an independent television production company currently producing a documentary on children's football and the real life stories of players, coaches, parents, officials and supporters. The Producers are currently compiling footage of video, digital cameras and mobiles to help illustrate the plight of children's football.

The ultra-competitiveness that exists on the touch line of training grounds and match day pitches in junior/youth leagues is now cause for concern.

If you would like to submit any footage or stories no matter how ludicrous to be considered for the programme please contact the producer Ernie Brennan at ernie@capricornproductions.co.uk or log onto www.capricornproductions.co.uk for further information.

GUBOG part of FA Working Party

2007-11-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to report another significant milestone in the short life of Give Us Back Our Game.

We have been included in the FA's working party on Mini Soccer. The other people on the working party include County FA's, Leagues, EFSA and the FA The findings of the party will be presented at both the National Game Conference and the Football Development committee at the FA later this year.

We have only been able to get this far because of your tremendous support. We have already had a lot of feedback on mini soccer, and welcome more of your experiences both good and bad.

Thank you for your support!