Football refresher course

THE South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) has rescheduled its Maximal Training Youth Refresher Course (MTYRC) to November 17-19 at the Johannesburg Stadium in Doornfontein.

The course was postponed from last weekend to enable coaches to support South Africa’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Senegal.

MTYRC comprises advanced theory and aerobic ball work practicals from 8am to 5pm each day. SAFCA’s high performance head, Sudesh Singh, says the course will help coaches understand the science behind Maximal Training, a coaching concept formulated by the late Ted Dumitru.

“In the three days coaches will unpack the principles and developmental targets for the youth, with a specific, but not limited, focus on ensuring continuous positive brain activation and stimulation throughout the process of coaching and training. We will also explore how exercise content reflects the multi-factor diversity of football, and look into specific exercise structures for developing the ‘weaker’ leg,” said the former Mamelodi Sundowns chief scout who has also worked in Asia.

The course will include subjects such as dynamic learning through unlimited ball touches as a key element in developing ‘ball feeling’ and a full scale of technical elements; perceptive abilities - basic and 3-D - involving concentration and development of distributive attention; built-in options and variations in exercise content and small games; and addressing individuality before team objectives.

SAFCA‘s interim chairman, Augusto Palacios, said the countrywide demand for youth-centred coaching courses was noted and plans were underway to develop a 2018 programme.

The course fee is R900, and participants will receive a course certificate, documentation, and a SAFCA t-shirt and cap. Meals are included.

For registration details contact SAFCA secretary general Thuso Tshabalala on 0795223971 or email coaches.safca@gmail.com