What is a Foundation Phase Football Coach

As an aspiring coach, you may have a passion for working with kids and developing talent.

Enter the role of a Foundation Phase football coach. This is a coach who works with the youngest ages of a footballing setup, with players ranging from 5–11 years old.

This can be in an academy setting at a professional football club, where the focus is on developing elite talent, or at a foundation or community trust, which is aimed at broader participation, inclusion, and social development.

A Foundation Phase football coach at a Premier League club’s foundation, who has been at the club since last year, spoke to GIS about his approach to coaching and what makes the Foundation Phase unique.

A main source of enjoyment that he finds in his role is the energy that children in the Foundation Phase can bring, as well as the creativity that the role allows.

“Something I enjoy about Foundation Phase coaching is that the kids are like a blank canvas”, he told GIS.

“Because they have minimal knowledge, it’s nice to see how quickly information can be taken on. Whatever route you choose to go down as a coach, you see results.”

Having previously worked for a Championship club as a Player Development Coach, he has also worked with players in the Youth Development Phase – the next set of age groups that includes players from U12–U16.

Working with such a wide range of age groups, he has to know how to keep the players engaged and focused despite their energetic nature.

The coach’s top tip was to vary what you’re doing. “Especially in the Foundation Phase, it’s really important. This includes regular progressions in session plans, but also individual challenges for those either excelling, in the middle, or struggling so that everyone remains concentrated.”

Coaches in this phase often follow the FA’s 4 Corner Model, which outlines a holistic approach to coaching that works on the social, psychological, physical and technical/tactical skills of their players. 

Outside of training sessions, communication with parents is another key part of the role.

“It is quite hard,” the coach explained, “especially when parents put a lot of pressure on their kids. 

“The expectations of parents on us as coaches can be to make their kid a professional footballer, which is rare, even in an academy. 

“It is difficult, but I think clarity and transparency is important, and being able to include parents and build a rapport with them as well as with their kids.”

Strong communication is one of the skills that plays a large part in the role day-to-day. He then gave some other important attributes that aspiring coaches should all develop.

“Confidence. You know what kind of coach someone will be based on how confident they are, and if they really believe in the ideas they’re saying.”

“Being personable is another – you need to be a people person in the job, so you need to be able to get on with people and relate to them.”

Coaching in the Foundation Phase comes with its own challenges and rewards – from keeping players engaged to managing healthy relationships with parents. As this Foundation Phase coach’s experience shows, it’s a role that requires confidence, strong communication, and a genuine connection with the players.

If you’re interested in being a Foundation Phase coach and nurturing football’s next generation, explore our coaching courses at GIS.

Article by Zakaria Anani