Football in Germany/HollandKnox Athletic Development – Danny Deigan

Bayern Munich FC

Michael Sorg – Bayern Munich U17 coach, soon to be Germany U19 National team coach

Manner of coaching – strong communication

Interactive – hands on, lots of actions

Bayern Munich FC

Pools at Allianz Arena in Home & Away Rooms heated to 37 degrees (body temperature)

Not enough room for dynamic movements

Ice baths, massage facilities all at club which is 20min drive from their stadium

Substitutes in U19 Bayern match warmed up for the entire duration of match – because of cold?

Stuttgart FC

Tomislav Maric – U16 Stuttgart Coach / Legend Striker

Helmut Rohlaender – GK Legend / German Champion

Joachim Cast – Bundesliga Player Agent

Good interaction and energy

Enthusiastic body language while coaching

Stuttgart FC

Outside Strength on side of pitch– Chin Up bar on fence, Squat rack, Bar, Med Balls, Tyres, Sleds, Kettlebells

Gym incorporated Strength Equipment and Functional Training space

Training fields, Club Offices and Gym / Recovery facilities all adjacent to stadium

Incorporate functional training into all sessions with Academy and Professional players

Bayer Leverkusen

Freddy (Under 15 Bayer Leverkusen Coach)

Oliver (Bayer Leverkusen Goalkeeper Coach)

Firm with good presence

Gave lots of direction to players (demonstrations)

Bayer Leverkusen

1sts facility beside stadium, Reserves and Academy separate

Gym work 1x a week in season (2 off season)

1-2 Main Strength Exercises then Functional Exercises

Did use Adidas MiCoach in shoes, however were issues with players changing shoes

Physios work with fitness coaches, problem players work with the first team fitness coach

Gym had a studio feel and look, mostly functional equipment (Foam pads, Bosus, Rollers, Broomsticks, Rebounders, TRX’s, Crash mats)

Viktoria Koln

Implementing Conditioning into Drills

Ball Mastery in Warm Up – Hopping / Balance / Stability

Decision Making / Speed Drills (eg. 2 goals, 1v1, etc)

With and Without Ball

Change direction of goals to include COD/Agility

Changing length of sprints to determine speeds

Feyenoord

James (Head of Scouting – Feyenoord)

Glenn and Gerard (Feyenoord Academy Coaches)

Emphasised the importance of “Quality”

Team approach amongst the coaches (all on board)

Very professional, very organised

Explaining the full session before commencement

Feyenoord

All coaches on board with the program (know what is going on)

2 Full time Academy Fitness Coaches (12 teams)

Fitness completed first 30-40min of EVERY field session

Indoor facility predominately used for Rehab, Functional Movement, Injury Prevention

Session focus is intensity (not volume)

Ajax

Mark (Academy Coach)

Good enthusiasm, more relaxed coaching style

Emphasised quality of training

Coaches displayed teamwork, great organisation and professionalism

All coaches on board with how the club operates, and understand all parts of the program

Ajax

Strength & Conditioning done for first 30 mins of EVERY field session

Gym facility has studio look and feel, based around functional training

Focus on Functional Training

Under 13’s do Gymnastics and Judo – Focus on Movement Quality

No Strength work done during growth phase – Only Flexibility and Movement

Senior teams have 1-2 key lifts then functional training

Heavy emphasis on Monitoring Training Loads & Wellness (daily inputs)

Key Learnings – Athletic Development

Importance of integration into Field Sessions / Training Sessions for Sports

- Maximises time efficiency

- Integrates into training program

Key Strength lifts then Functional Training

- 1-2 key lifts then functional training

- Incorporating injury prevention

- Importance of training movement

Key Learnings – Athletic Development

Team Approach

- Professional, Organised, “All on board”

- Coaches understanding and being part of the program

Coaching

- Look professional, be organised, work together

- “On” time – be coaching, be firm, interactive and show energy

Discussion Points / Questions?