BFA Select

• About: The British Football Academy Select team’s (BFA Select) training and matches is the newest addition to the Academy's programmes and is aimed at middle school-aged footballers (aged 13-15 years old) who have and can demonstrate superlative technical, physical and cognitive football ability. Unlike our other (fundamental) football programmes that focus on developing techniques and skills, the BFA Select system provides professional game conditioning and a competitive arena for talented players to get plenty of essential match practice and training with players of a similar ability.

• In detail: Advanced principals of defence and attack, including but not limited to: defending from the front; defending 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 etc.; defending by applying pressure; defending as a team; counter attacking (transitional play), switching play, attacking in the final third, attacking 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 etc. finishing (accuracy, power, flair and finesse), turning, dribbling (tricks and feints), running with the ball, movement off the ball, crossing, as well as dedicated goalkeeper training will be focused on, largely WITHIN game playing situations (i.e. our FA qualified coaches will do the majority of the coaching in training sessions, during the game (realistic) situations).

• Location 1: The initial training location will be at Tokyo International School in Tamachi, weekly sessions will be on Thursdays from 6:10pm - 7:30pm, players (trialists) are advised to arrive no later than 6:00pm for their session. For more details about the location, please click here. In the event of rain please call the office: 03-3770-0288

• Fees: A monthly fee of ¥9450 will be debited from your account, to cover the training sessions and match coordination. Team uniforms and training wear will be available to purchase shortly.

• Sessions: The weekly 1hour and 20min sessions, will lead up to at least one competitive match per month and, schedules and availability of grounds willing, a lot more. These matches will then be deconstructed and individual and team needs can be addressed over the following training sessions. A typical session will follow the structure outlined below (session structure may change at the coaches discretion):

• Structure:

10-mins: Warm up. Dynamic stretches, jogging, skipping, simple ball walk, shuttle runs, static stretches as necessary

15-mins: Fitness/Focused Technical work. Plyometrics - fast-feet ladders, hurdles, resistance training (parachutes), endurance training. Ball work as necessary.

5-mins: Water break (players to bring their own non-carbonated sports drinks or water).

30-mins: Coached game (structured).

(Water break if necessary)

15-mins: Free play (providing the technical and tactical elements coached in the conditioned game have been covered, understood and demonstrated effectively)

5-mins: Warm down, stretch, training de-brief: action points for the following session/match

• Eligibility for Existing BFA members: A selection policy for existing BFA members will be an ongoing process, as players come and go, however as the 'Select' team will be involved in matches ranging from 7 to 11-a-side, a cap will initially be put on the squad size. As enough talented players are selected (or pass their trial) A, B & C teams may be selected based on ability (and availability of suitable training facilities) - although the overall standard and expectation of the selected players in training sessions will be extremely high. Selection will be at the coaches’ discretion and based on attitude, manners, ability, experience and sportsmanship - shortcomings in any of these areas will mean a player will not be selected. Parents may wish to make it known to the coach that their child wants to be considered, but that's where the parental influence will stop.

• Eligibility for non-BFA members: Non-BFA members are encouraged to attend one of the training sessions for a free trial. The player’s performance will be judged in accordance with the prerequisites mentioned above and, following the trial, the parents will be notified by the British Football Academy about the result. If your child is interested in attending a trial, please contact us.

• Availability: As far as possible we will provide parents with ample advanced notice of matches (schedule changes) and would ask that BFA Select players make this team their priority over other teams (school, club) and other activities that may clash with training and weekend match schedules. As a team, it's of the utmost importance that players regularly train and play together - team spirit and continuity are key factors in the success of any team.

• Communication: All correspondence about BFA Select schedules, including weekend matches, will be made by e-mail to player's parents, we advise you to check your e-mail from XXXXXX@footyjapan.com regularly.

• Parental/School/Teacher support: Parents of BFA Select players can assist in the development of this programme by assisting with transportation for 'Away' games, refereeing (if they have good knowledge of the game), promoting the programme to International and Japanese schools (and clubs) and possibly helping with arranging new fixtures. If you'd like to find out more about how you can help, please contact us.

For more information about BFA Select please contact us.