The aim of the Curriculum is to implement a high performance developmental program to assist footballers of age’s u6-u19 to achieve a major improvement in player quality and performance in their preparation for playing at their highest possible level.
The PFASA is committed to providing an environment where excellence can prosper and is focused on building a new generation of footballers in Australia who can become internationally competitive.
The PFA curriculum is based on and closely follows the FFA National Curriculum which provides direction and an integrated and coordinated approach to the overall development of players.[i]
The Curriculum Rationale
As in the FFA National Curriculum, the PFASA Curriculum also works with 2-year age group blocks where there is specific age related development objectives related to the mental and physical development phase.[ii]
The Curriculum Framework
Development Goals Age Groups
Learning to master the ball U/6-U/7
Learning to act with the ball purposefully U/8–U/9
Learning to play together purposefully U/10–U/11
Learning the positions and basic tasks in 11 v 11 U/12–U/13
Learning how the basic tasks link together U/14–U/15
Learning how to play as a team U/16–U/17
Performing / winning as a team U/18–U/19
Individual skills and competencies that are position specific and partly depend on the style of play / formation are always defined by Technique (technical ability and skill), Insight (awareness and vision) and Communication. These 3 characteristics will be emphasized throughout the player’s development at varying degrees.
The Curriculum also provides clarity on a style of play and a 1-4-3-3 game formation to be used when the 11 v 11 game is played. This will be the focus for Elite Squad training.
Physical fitness is also an inseparable component of football’s structure therefore conditioning will be achieved through football training and game related football exercises. [iii]
The Curriculum is based on a program specifically designed by the FFA and Zoran Maricic (PFASA Technical Director) and provides best practices derived from various sources from around the world.
Curriculum Structure
Relevant Training Content
U6-U7
Links to S2S, Footy4Kids Resource and Developing Youth Football Players Book by Horst Wein and Grassroots Football Coaching Manual
• All sorts of FUN games involving ball mastering / running with the ball (each child with a ball)
• All sorts of small sided games, 1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3 and 4 v 4
U/8–U/9
Links to S2S, Developing Youth Football Players Book by Horst Wein and ZM Soccer Academy Resources
• Ball mastery.
• Running with the ball, 1v 1, shooting, passing and receiving, first touch in various FUN games.
• Variations of 4 v 4and 7v7.
U/10-U/11
Links to S2S, 1 v 1 Academy Soccer Coach Online Coaching Network, 4 v 4 Games from Man U, Harrison Journal (World Class Coaching), Chelsea Coaching Sessions, Possession Games from Soccer Coaching International, Michler Journal,
• Functional game skills in possession of the ball: Passing and receiving, running with the ball, 1 v 1, first touch
• Defensive game skills: 1v 1; block tackle; sliding tackle
• Skills transfer: Executing the game skills in corresponding game-related situations (1v 1, 4 v 4, basic positioning games)
• Training games: Various small sided games to develop ball possession objectives.
U/12–U/13
Links to S2S and Core Smart Sessions and Finishing Exercises e book
• Functional game skills and skills transfer (special attention for passing drills and heading)
• Positioning games: the primal forms (basic)
• Training games (Learning the general Principles)
• 1–4–3–3 game training (basic formation) (Elite Squad only)
• Functional game skills and skills transfer in possession of the ball
• Defensive functional game skills and skills transfer.
U/14–U/15
Links to S2S and Advance Smart Sessions
• Functional game skills and passing drills (basic)
• Positioning games (basic) )(Elite Squad only)
• Training games (basic)
• 1–4–3–3 game training (basic)(Elite Squad only)
• Dynamic Stretching and Core Stability Exercises
U/16–U/17
Links to S2S and Better Soccer Coaching Resources, Soccer Tutor Journal
• Positioning games (specific/advanced)
• Passing drills (specific/advanced)
• 1–4–3–3 game training (advanced) )(Elite Squad only)
• Training games
• Dynamic Stretching and Core Stability Exercises
U/18–U/19
Links to S2S and World Class Coaching Resources, PSV Eindhoven Journal, Nebraska Coaches Clinic, Malawi Journal,
• Positioning games (specific) )(Elite Squad only)
• Passing drills (specifc)
• 1–4–3–3 game training (advanced) (Elite Squad only)
• Individual training
• Training games
• Dynamic Stretching and Core Stability Exercises
[i] Ben Buckley CEO, FFA
[ii] FFA National Curriculum Rationale
[iii] FFA National Curriculum Framework