Club Philosophy

McDonalds Community Club Project

Thistle Youth Football Club

Contents Page

Page 1………………………………………………………………. Introduction

Page 2…………………………………………………………. The Thistle DNA

Page 4…………………………………………………….. Thistle YFC Growth

Page 3……………………………………………………………………. Coaching

Page 5-6…………………………………………………………….. Style of Play

Page 7……………………………………………… The Development Cycle

Page 8……………………………………………………………………. Mentality

Page 9…………………………………………………. Athleticism/Nutrition

Page 10………………………………………………………………. Formations

Page 11………………………………………. Parents – Code of Conduct

Introduction Thistle Youth Football Club was established in 2015 by a small group of likeminded individuals

from North East Aberdeenshire who were looking to provide a platform for children and

youths in the area to develop and learn in line with the SYFA Player Pathway. This is firmly

underpinned by the volunteer coaches, committee members and club supporters creating a

culture and environment, in line with the SFA Positive Coaching philosophy, that ensures

players of mixed ability can learn and play with confidence without fear of exclusion.

The aim of the Thistle Youth Football Club is to provide a safe environment and to encourage

and promote the development of football and health within the community of Newburgh and

North East Aberdeenshire through the provision of youth [or senior teams] teams for boys

and girls that foster fair play, participation for all, irrespective of race, colour, religion, sex,

sexuality or disabilities.

The Goal in the Club’s Badge refers to our vision to develop all players and coaches, regardless of ability, in a positive way so they learn, progress and maximise their potential whilst enjoying football for the long term building strong friendships and a sense of belonging along the way. The intention of the club philosophy document is to inform and educate each club member and stakeholder of the core values and principles of Thistle Youth Football Club. Thistle Youth are fully invested in the ‘redefining success’ initiative outlined by the SFA that puts player development and wellbeing ahead of results. This is complimented with focused and structured coach education and knowledge sharing to ensure each player can achieve their full footballing potential in a safe and fun environment playing with their friends. The philosophy will cover the key aims of the club through various elements of the game but is intended to be a live document that is being continuously reviewed and amended as the club evolves and matures. The philosophy has been established by identifying the achievements we want each player to strive for through their footballing journey with Thistle Youth FC and ensuring the necessary building blocks are built into the sequence progression through each phase of the journey to enable this to happen.

Teamwork

The Thistle DNA Thistle Youth F.C. looks to promote a healthy learning environment for all players and

coaches. We want to foster, and give every child the tools to help fulfil their potential. Below

is the DNA that the whole club live by to help achieve our main aim of providing a safe

environment of football and health within the community of Newburgh.

Environment

Learning

Togetherness

Success

Individual

Humble

T To promote a 'team' ethos in every squad where players, coaches and parents all

work together. There's always opportunities to be part of the Thistle family, even

after completing the full cycle of the Thistle experience.

Take the ego out of coaching and playing, remain humble and work hard.

Have respect for your coaches and what you get given.

To have our OWN identity and not be like any other. Everyone should be

confident in who they are and what they do.

To re-define success for players/coaches and parents. We want a healthy

winning mentality with the emphasis on development. Player progression

is a marker for success.

Everything done is for the benefit of Thistle Youth and not for any individual. We

promote a family feel and belonging. After completing the Thistle experience we

want all players/coaches and parents to still be part of the ‘Thistle Family’

We want to provide the right tools and platforms for our players and

coaches to flourish. We want an ethos on learning and development. We

want to create better people, not just better footballers.

H

I

S

T

L

E We want the environment to be fun, enjoyable but also challenging. This

means players and coaches can be nurtured and developed, where they feel

supported and confident to express themselves and feel valued.

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Thistle YFC Growth With Thistle YFC being a relatively new club, we have grown a considerable amount over the

last few years, however, we want to constantly grow the club and enhance on what we

already have. There are a number of outcomes we hope to achieve in the coming years to

grow the club: -

Achieve Legacy Quality Mark Status – The Quality Mark Award scheme is designed to

support and recognise the work of clubs and teams who have a desire to be the very best they

can be. Thistle currently have Development Quality Mark Status which is the third award up

the Quality Mark ladder. ‘Legacy’ is the top award and Thistle hope to achieve this in 2018.

Astroturf Pitch at Gallowshill – Currently at Gallowshill, we have a grass area, and an artificial

tennis court to work with. All Thistle teams train in different locations around Aberdeen and

Aberdeenshire. Having a brand new 11 a side Astroturf at Gallowshill will give us a hub for the

whole club to work from as well ensuring we get as many games on as possible.

Establish a girl’s section – Although our boys section is well established we want to mirror

this in the girls side and encourage more girls in and around Newburgh to join Thistle by

providing them the opportunity to play.

Create a Club Coaches Curriculum – Having a Curriculum for coaches to work from for training

will allow everyone in the club to be moving in one direction. All messages being passed on

to players will be consistent and will coincide with our One Club One Goal motto.

Team at every age group – Although we are an established club, we would like to offer all

players a continuous path to play football for Thistle YFC and have a team at every age group

across both our boys and girls sections.

Have more players playing regularly – We want as many youngsters around Newburgh to be

encouraged to join Thistle YFC, in the knowledge they are going to have fun and learn. We

want to grow the number of boys and girls playing football in Newburgh.

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Coaching Thistle aims to have the best coaches who have a drive, determination and motivation to be

the best possible coach they can, for the good of the team and the club. Thistle will provide

tools and support for coaches to improve. A Thistle coach will look like: -

Motivated – a motivation to do their best for the team and the club. As well as motivated to

make themselves better. Be able to give players extrinsic motivation as well as encouraging

intrinsic motivation.

Humble – Take the ego out of coaching. Everything that is done is for the team and the club,

not for the coach’s ego. Take pride in the work you do with the players and keep working

hard while encouraging these behaviours in the players.

Knowledgeable – Have the appropriate knowledge to pass on to players. Have effective

ways and means to pass on this knowledge so that all players can learn in their own ways.

Have a knowledge of not only coaching, but dealing with challenging behaviour, etc.

Adaptable – Be able to adapt to challenging situations and different age groups. Be able to

adapt sessions to number of players, age group, etc. Also, when actually coaching during

games, adaptable to change systems and playing style depending on situation.

Teacher – Teach the players the game and educate them on all aspects of the Thistle style of

play. Not only educate them on playing the game, but also including life lessons so that

we’re not only developing better players but developing better people.

Role Model – All players are a reflection of their coach, therefore any behaviours the coach

shows are those expected of the players. Players are not expected to follow any behaviours

that coaches wouldn’t do themselves. Coaches need to be positive role models for the

children.

Club Aware – Ready to share his/her knowledge and guidance with other Thistle age groups

and see’s themselves as a club coach as well as an age group coach. They are enthusiastic

about the club and positively promotes Thistle’s interests and supports their fellow coaches

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across the club. While also being aware that they have the influence to change anything

they think needs improved.

Style of Play

In Possession Team Individual

Each Thistle team should show the below qualities in each game. These will be worked on at training to coincide with the Club’s ethos.

Each player by the time they leave Thistle should have an understanding of, and be able to execute all of the below, in

games under pressure.

Width

Making pitch big when we have ball to stretch teams, to either play through middle or get crosses into box.

Passing

Players should be able to pass

with both feet. Encourage

mistakes to learn and practice

to make better.

Triggers when to get wide when in possession

Be able to pull off different

types of passes. Drilled, inside

of foot, chipped, long,

outside of foot, flick on’s.

Look to regularly switch play to move opponent about. Must be done quickly to create overloads.

Encourage passes of different distances, heights, techniques, spin on the ball, etc.

Building From The Back

Emphasis to play from back in all situations to help players be comfortable taking the ball under pressure.

Dribbling

Be able to dribble with both

feet comfortably. Protection

while dribbling and knowing

the right moments in games

when to dribble.

Prioritise building form the back but show options to go longer.

Able to execute different

types of dribbling. Driving

into space, changing direction

quickly, driving at somebody

1v1.

Work on different rotations, as well as triggers to build.

Be able to use all parts of foot

comfortably when dribbling.

Inside, outside, sole, laces.

Possession

No ‘hit and hope’ mentality. Look to play on the ground if possible but show options to go longer to keep possession.

Finishing

Be able to execute different

finishes with both feet,

finesse, drilled, chip, toe-

poke, curved, volleys.

Players comfortable taking ball under pressure, and confident to give to players under pressure. Shield and protect.

Be able to have the

composure in front of goal to

have the appropriate finish.

Show movement off the ball to get on it, players should never switch off and always look to get on the ball.

Be able to finish with head. Looped header, driven header, flick on’s.

Encourage free playing attacking football.

Be able to control the ball

with all parts of feet, outside,

inside, sole, laces

Attack with pace and intensity.

Touch out of feet and play on

the front foot, as well as

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Attacking Control protecting the ball, and

playing away from pressure.

Good decision making in final third.

Be able to control the ball comfortably with different parts of body thigh, chest, head.

Out of Possession Team Individual

Each Thistle team should show the below qualities in each game. These will be worked on at training to coincide with the

Club’s ethos.

Each player, by the time they leave Thistle, should have an understanding of, and be able show the below qualities in

games.

Defensive Shape

Work together as a unit, communicate with each other and move together to stop opposition playing through.

Aggressive

Being aggressive in 1v1’s and determined not to get beaten.

Appropriate distances between players so that they can cut off passing lines.

Aggressive in tackle to win ball back effectively.

Choosing right moments and working off triggers of when to press and when to sit in shape.

A winning appetite and pride to keep clean sheets.

High Press

Press from the front where possible, to win ball back high up the pitch.

Accountability

Don’t blame others for mistakes, take responsibility and react in positive way.

Force opposition into mistakes, make tackles and intercept any poor passes.

Win together, lose together. Have a mentality, that the team is the most important thing when making decisions.

Ensure defensive line is pushed up high to cut off gaps in middle of the park when pressing.

Don’t blame outside factors for mistakes/defeats, ie. Blaming refs, weather, etc.

Depth

Provide depth for players going to press to cut off gaps and provide cover if they get beat.

Tackling

Triggers when to tackle and executing proper tackling technique, ‘approach’ and ‘tackle’

Don’t get caught square when defending so that we can’t be played through the middle easily.

Approach – body low and on from foot to react to any quick changes, watch ball and time tackle.

Appropriate distances when giving cover to affect play.

Tackle – aggressive to win ball back, don’t ‘dip toe’ use body for extra protection when tackling.

Compact

Force opponents away from goal either by going back, or into wide areas.

Blocks/Clearances

Proper technique of blocks and clearances, how and when to execute them.

Make the pitch small when defending to cut off space for attackers.

Don’t ‘shirk’ away from the ball stand up and take block if required for good of the team.

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Work together to be narrow so cut off any gaps in between players.

Clearances to feet or in space for player to run on to so we can retain possession.

The Development Cycle At Thistle, we want to capture the learning process players and coaches need to go through from

matches to training to be challenged and keep learning /developing.

When the mental and physical challenge players get reduces, winning becomes easier which in turn

means players using winning as a metric for how good a footballer they are rather than how much

learning and improving they are doing. They then don’t relate hard work in matches and training to

how good they are, more how many games they are winning. They also don’t know how to handle

adversity and losing games. We want competitive teams who have kids that are challenged in

competitive games week in and week out, so we produce technically and tactically astute players who

always work hard in training to improve, and are mentally strong enough to keep playing and

competing even if they are losing matches.

Players, coaches, and parents should use the below Development Cycle after every game to review

their performance and look ahead to the next game.

DO – the match, apply all training and learning into the match. Matches should be challenging.

REVIEW – Look back at the game and review what went well and what didn’t go as well.

PLAN – From there plan what to do at training for the next game, with game realistic

scenarios.

Do

Review

Plan

Practice

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PRACTICE – Practiced what is planned, as well as improving areas that the team and individual

team need.

Mentality We at Thistle YFC believe that a player’s psychological makeup is the most important aspect of their

footballing ability. The mind leads the body, which consequently enables any person to thrive and

achieve in any specific area of choice. However, learning to master such a complex organ is much

easier said than done.

At Thistle we have created the ‘Pyramid to Success’ to enhance the child’s mentality. We suspect that

the model will encompass many qualities encouraged by your child’s school combined with you as

parents and we are optimistic that it will symbolise a consistent and united commitment to their

development as young people.

The focus is always long term and we believe that fun and enjoyment are at the forefront of each

child’s development. It is inevitable that the journey will always produce highs and lows, but the most

important thing is to try and enhance each child’s love and passion for the game. We believe, that for

elite players, this comes from working hard, learning and growing.

We want to foster an environment and an attitude whereby players can speak openly about any

element of the pyramid they are struggling with safe in the knowledge their coach has their back and

will guide them towards success.

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Athleticism/Nutrition At Thistle, we encourage players to be as fit as they possibly can be through exercises and nutrition. Each player

at Thistle is issued with our ‘Player Development Resource’ which we developed alongside an RGU Sport Science

student. We have also developed a ‘Coach’s Resource’ which is given out to each Thistle YFC coach to enhance

our coaches’ knowledge of the following.

Athleticism Speed

Speed is very important in your game as it affects your ability to get to a loose ball quick, follow or get away

from your marker and get up and down the pitch quickly.

Endurance

Endurance is the most vital aspect of your game. It impacts your ability to last an entire game, to be able to play

your position effectively throughout and keep your skills at the high competitive level.

Power

Power is required for a lot of the explosive movements you will carry out in a game such as shooting, heading

and accelerating. Having high power will allow you to carry out these actions quickly with a lot of strength.

Agility

Agility is important for a lot of the technical moves you will use in game. Using skills, going past opponents and

changing direction all rely of your high level of agility to carry them out quickly and fluently.

Nutrition Carbohydrates

• They supply most of the energy you need to last an entire game

• Carbohydrates and the primary fuel used by the body during physical activity.

• Any carbohydrates that are not used for energy during physical activity will be stored as fat in the body.

• As well as fuelling the body for physical activity it fuels the brain for use throughout the day.

Protein

• It helps to build and repair muscle tissue

• Helps develop strength and assists in recovery for training or games.

• Cannot be stored and so needs to be consumed more throughout the day but in less quantities.

Water

• You should aim to drink between 2 and 2.5 litres of water every day.

• When playing football, you should look to have small amounts of water throughout to keep yourself

hydrated.

• You don’t want to drink too much water though as it could have negative affects to your performance

and body.

Fats

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• They act as a secondary energy source when carbohydrates run out.

• They help the nutrients be more effective in the body.

• Helps insulate the body and keep your body temperature at a good level.

Formations Although we encourage all Thistle teams to be adaptable, it’s important to have a structure

to work to so that all Thistle teams can promote the same values in each squad, while

providing a visible pathway for all young players through the Thistle age groups.

7 a-side 11 a-side

2-3-1

The 2-3-1 formation offers balance across the pitch as well as

offering cover in all areas.

2 defenders can act as the two CB’s in 11 a side, however they can support attacks from behind and overlap as a full back would to give variety.

Midfielder acts as a deeper player who starts attacks/screens passes and makes interceptions, this is similar to the pivot role in the 4-3-3 formation.

2 wide players have more freedom to go forward in the knowledge they have protection in behind at both sides.

1 main striker similar to in 11 a side where this player needs to link up play to supporting players as well as thinking of creative movements to get on the ball.

4-3-3

The 4-3-3 formation allows us to overload the middle area against

our opponents, so we can dominate the ball, as in our style of play.

Back four should be balanced with full backs offering support in attack as well as being defensively disciplined. CB’s should look to dominate defensively but be confident to get on the ball.

Midfield 3 can either be 1 pivot and 2 forward or 2 deeper and 1 forward. If 1 pivot, then this player acts as a screen/starts attacks and makes interceptions. If 1 forward, this player looks to get on the ball on the half turn and start attacks.

The front three can either be interchangeable to allow to play through the middle or play wider to stretch defences with a central striker playing through the middle. This will allow us to get the ball wide and get crosses into the middle.

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Parents – Code of Conduct We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the game.

As a parent representing Thistle Youth FC, you have a great influence on children’s enjoyment

and success in football. Children play football first and foremost because they love the game

– it’s FUN. Remember children’s football is a time for them to develop and learn. We want

them to have a winning mentality, but not at all costs. Play your part in supporting your child,

and all the children on the pitch so that they keep playing football and Observe the Thistle

Youth Club Code of Conduct at all times.

As a player’s parent, or spectator, representing Thistle Youth FC I agree that I will:

Remember that children play for FUN.

Applaud effort and good play from both teams.

Always respect the match officials’ decisions. They are usually volunteering parents.

Remain outside the field of play or within the Designated Spectators’ Areas.

Let the coach do their job and not confuse the players by telling them what to do.

Encourage your child, and others, or be quiet. Praise effort and performance, not results.

Encourage the players to respect the opposition, referee and officials.

Avoid criticising a player for making a mistake – mistakes are a crucial part of learning.

Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting, or abusive language or behaviour.

Parents must develop an appropriate supportive relationship with both the coach and their child based on mutual trust and respect.

Support the coach’s decisions and discuss any concerns directly with the coach, not amongst other parents.

I understand that if I do not follow this Code of conduct, actions may be taken by my club,

league or National Association to address my behaviour. Further information on Fair Play,

behaviour and keeping football positive for children can be found on the SFA website

(http://www.scottishfa.co.uk) under Positive Coaching Scotland.

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