FOOTBALL NEW  BRUNSWICK 
       ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT MODEL Adopted April 16, 2005

 

Draft
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Football Canada 

Athlete Development Model 

Last Amended Date June 8, 2004

Purpose of the Model: 

This model is a dynamic and inclusive planning tool that is a working guideline for the development of football players across Canada.   Although it is the intent of the model to assist in providing an integrated sport system for football, it will be necessary to revise and update specific content over time.  Football Canada will use this model as a foundation document to guide the implementation of athlete development, coaching programs, and competition considerations.  Provincial and affiliated organizations, community based clubs and school programs are encouraged to use this document as a template that can be adapted to provincial and local needs. 

Rationale: 

The model examines all aspects of football and is divided tackle and touch / flag football considerations and is adapted from Istvan Balyi's long-term athlete development principles.  The model recognizes athletes with disabilities at the introductory stages and provides opportunities for gender inclusiveness where appropriate.  The touch and flag games provide access to participation at the entry level, but also as an alternative to tackle football at the later stages of development.  The ideal progression for elite athlete development is identified in the model, examining each stage of development from the introduction of football to the completion of one's playing career.  While the model provides a pathway for chronological age, it is important to recognize that this is not always the best indicator of an athletes development, instead a training age is provided that accounts for athlete maturation.  It is therefore important to recognize the flexibility for players who enter the football model later in their athletic development.  In these circumstances late entry athlete may progress through a developmental stage at a faster rate based on previous athletic experience, however, it is important that skill components a preceding stages of development are progressed in an optimal fashion. 

In the tackle considerations of the model, game modifications are suggested at the Fundamental and Training stages where static defenses are encouraged in order to maximize skill development. 

Football Canada TACKLE – Athlete Coach Overview

Text Box: Community Football Text Box: School FootballText Box: AdultText Box: 17/18Text Box: 15/16Text Box: 13/14Text Box: 11/12Text Box: 9/10Text Box: U8Text Box: Senior Leagues Text Box: Community Coach Initiation Text Box: Competition Introduction Coach Text Box: Competition Development Coach Text Box: Position CoachText Box: CoordinatorText Box: Head CoachText Box: MasterText Box: HP Coach
 

 


 

Tackle Football – Athlete Development Overview

Considerations

Fundamentals

Training / Practice

Competition

Elite Performance

Age Range

·          12 & under

·          (0-4 training years)

·          11 – 16

·          (1-4 training years)

·          16 – 19+

·          (4-8 training years)

·          18 + 

·          (8+ training years)

Participation

·          Co-ed, Physical / Mental Disabilities

·          Early:  Coed – Predominantly male. Physical / Mental Disabilities

 

·          Late:  Male and female teams in certain regions by gender

·          Predominantly Male.

·          Predominantly male.

Selection

·          Overall positional selection (size considerations where appropriate, to ensure participation and safety.

·          Positional selection considered based on strength / speed, ability, size.

·          Positional Selection consideration based on strength / speed, ability, size. 

·          Based on basic fitness testing

·          Self and coach selection

·          General talent identification

·          Based on specific fitness testing

·          Talent identify position considerations

·          Selection for team considerations

Degree of specialization

·          Acquisition of basic skills for all players.

 

·          Offensive & defensive positions – basic introduction to positional play

·        Lineman

 

·        Inside Backs Skills (Eg. Linebackers / Offensive backs)

 

·        Outside Backs Skills (Eg. Receivers, Defensive backs)

·          Increased opportunity to specialize in offensive and defensive roles.

 

·          Offensive

o         Linemen

o         Back field

o         Receiver

 

·          Defensive

o         Linemen

o         Linebacker

o         Defensive back

·          Offensive Line

o         Guard, Centre, Tackles

·          Backfield

o         Quarterbacks, Running Backs

·          Receivers

o         Inside receivers, Outside receivers, Tight ends

·          Linebackers

o         Outside, Inside, Middle

·          Defensive backs

o       Corner, Safety, Half back

·          Defensive Line

o         Inside, outside

·          Kickers

o         Place, Punt

·          Special Teams

Game Modifications

·          Canadian Rules: Time, kicking, blocking, down & distance, field size, ball size, game time, weight restrictions, team size.  systems modifications in order to learn the basic skills of the game as per House league.

·          Defense is static:  No Stunts, blitz or penetration – Man on Man defense.

·          Blocking only above the waist.

·          Reduce number of players on field during competitions, if possible.

·          Option of using flag football @ this level. 

·          Canadian Rules:  Tackle Rule book

·          House league rules are adopted for regions and age:  Field size, Ball size, game time, weight restrictions, team size.  

·          Opportunities to play other versions of the game (flag or touch) create ongoing possibilities for participation.

·          Early:  Defense is static:  No Stunts, blitz or penetration – Man on Man defense. 

·          Blocking only above the waist.

·          Canadian Rules:  Tackle rule book.  House league rules are adopted in different regions – Eg. Length of game time

·          Canadian Rules:  Variations between CIS, Junior and Professional.  Adoption of rules will be specialized to context

Football Structure

·          Community: Tyke, Mosquito, lower Peewee.

·          Schools:  Jr High – Jr varsity

·          Community:   Peewee, Bantam, Early Midget.

·          Schools:  Senior Varsity – Early CIS

·          Community: Late midget – Early Junior

·          CIS: 3 – 5 year

·          Junior:  Later Years

·          Professional

Competition

(Number / Importance)

·          Limited Importance

·          Everyone plays – the outcome is motivational

·          Up to 10 games maximum.

·          Tournaments/Jamborees.

 

·          Limited Importance (Varies for later football structures) 

·          Peaking: None to one

·          Maximize participation – Every one has access to play the game*

·          8-12 games

·          Important (Peaking towards Playoffs – late season)

·          8-12 games

·          Very Important (Peak and Taper for each competition)

·          10-12 games*

Length of Season

·           

·          Competitive Season – 8-12 weeks (includes skills/introduction/training period)

·          Pre-season – skills introduction/training period (3 – 6 weeks (no competitions)

·          Competitive Season - 10-14 weeks -  (peewee, bantams & midgets)

·          10-12 weeks

·          Pre-season 2 weeks

·          10 - 16 weeks (CIS / Junior)

·          20 + (Pro)

·          12 Month Annual planning

Number of Practices

·          2-3/week

·          3 per/week maximum

·          1 game/week (normally weekends)

 

·          Skills Camps

·          2 days off / week  

·          3-4 on-field practices / week

·          Meetings: 1-2 / week

·          Pre-season:  1-2  practices per day (5 day cycle) Two a day on-field practices not to exceed 3 hours in total time

·          Skills Camps

·          In competition:  3-5 on-field practices / week

·          Pre season:  12 – 18 on-field practices / 2 weeks (varying intensity of two a day practices should be considered)

·          Meetings:  3-5 / week

·          Walk throughs

Length of Practices

·          1.0 – 1.5 hourrs

·          1.5 - 2 hours

·          1.5 - 2 hours

·          Practice:  1.5 – 2.5 hours

·          Meetings: 30 min – 1.5 hours

Impact

·          Recruit and retain participation

·          Strong regional leagues and organization

·          Involvement of parents (more MOM’s and dad’s)

·          Recruit and retain of participation

·          Strong community and school leagues programs (Positive experiences)

·          Better recruitment and retention of competent coaches (trained and certified)

·          Retain participation

·          Strong community and school leagues programs

·          National championships with representation from all regions (Canada Cup)

·          Better recruitment and retention of competent coaches (trained and certified)

·          Selection and identification of quality players

·          Retention and expansion of teams at CIS.

·          High visibility of programs in general public.

·          Better recruitment and retention of competent coaches (trained and certified)

 

*Appropriate equipment to meet the age group needs & availability of coaches.

*Amount of equipment may be a limiting factor on participation. 

 

*Top teams in CIS tend to be favoured with more competitions