THE FA SOCCER STAR CHALLENGE
1) Introduction
The Soccer Star Challenge is a soccer coaching, learning and assessment program, for boys and girls aged 6-16 years.
Since its launch in 1988 this unique soccer coaching program has been used by over 20,000 coaches and teachers, with over 500,000 children in over 20 countries worldwide.
The program consists of practices and games to enable children to learn essential soccer techniques, together with six simple reliable tests.
2) What is the F.A soccer Star Challenge ?
The challenge focuses on six essential soccer techniques
• Running with the ball
• Turning with the ball
• Speed (Changing direction without the ball)
• Dribbling
• Heading
• ShootingThe tests will reflect technical ability of the players in these techniques. A learning program of practices and games with key coaching factors is provided for each technique.
3) For whom is the soccer star challenge designed ?
It is designed for the use of coaches and teachers, with boys and girls of any ability from 6 to 16 years of age.
4) What is the feed back provided ?
For the player?
Free certificate to
indicate the player's grading.For the coach?
A readout of the group's performance.5) Validation
? The Soccer Star tests have been validated by Professor Tim Holt of the Social Statistics Department of Southampton University, England following extensive research with over 10,000 children before the launch in 1988. They have been proven to display over 90% reliability and over 90% validity in being able to distinguish between young players in the following categories:
? A. Academy/Centre of Excellence players.
B. Players not selected for Academies but representing their town or country on 'all star' teams.
C. Players not selected for (A) or (B) but playing for their school or club team.
D. Players not registered with a club or school team.6) THE SOCCER STAR CHALLENGE, THEREFORE REPRESENTS THE LARGEST WORLDWIDE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF YOUNG PLAYERS' TECHNICAL ABILITY
Six grades or stars are available to be awarded on the basis of the test scores of the child and the 'norms' for the child at that age. The 'norms' have been refined over the years since the launch in 1988 and reflects the scores of the half a million children who have completed the tests in this period. The six star graded represents the top of players tested in any country to date.
The Football Association accept that the challenges do not predict or reflect playing ability as there are other factors (physical, mental understanding) related to playing ability but the challenges clearly do reflect personal technical proficiency.
7) Goal setting
The Soccer Star Challenge allows children to set simple performance goals and view development in terms of personal improvement. Children who rely too heavily on favorable comparisons with other children in sport are in danger of being disappointed. Children who focus upon their own improvement are more likely to be motivated, enjoy their sport and maintain participation.
The Soccer Star Challenge provides simple opportunities for children to achieve success and improve their overall self-esteem by focusing upon their own performance not others. The reward and feedback provided in the challenges can be immediate and intrinsic.
8) What are the main benefits of the Soccer Star Challenge to boys and their parents?
- It's fun to do and captures kids imagination.
- Adds value to soccer program for boys and girls.
- - Includes free Soccer Star certificates.
- - Profiles and records children's strengths, weaknesses and progress.- -Rewards achievement.
Provides simple goal setting opportunities for kids.
Allow kids to practice and improve on their previous scores.
- Provides tangible feedback to parents.9) A review of the current England Under 21 squad highlights a number of players who have undertaken the Soccer Star Challenge and obtained the top six star grading.
Name Current team Age when achieved Soccer Star 6 star rate Michael Carrick West Ham United 10 years Michael Bridges Leeds United 11 years Matthew Upson Aresnal 10 years Jon Harley Fulham 10 years Jonathan Greening Middlesbrough 10 years John Curtis Blackburn Rovers 11 years Matthew Etherington Tottenham Hotspur 10 years Paulo Vernazza Watford 11 years
