Football Technique School
Football Training Curriculum For Boys & Girls - Melbourne
FTS Technical Training Academy
Our program has evolved considerably since its origins in 2005. We are entering our 17th year of youth-specific technical training and the rewards are now showing, with many of our older players now stepping into professional clubs both here in Australia and abroad.
In recent years we have added FTS Development Squads and have established our FTS Futsal Club, both instrumental in ensuring our players receive best practice youth player development.
The link between technical ability and intelligence is vital for player development and is pivotal within our curriculum.
For information on our programs, again visit our up to date Programs page.
Latest News
Nishan Velupillay (2001) – Melbourne Victory & Australia U23
Congratulations to Nishan Velupillay for his recent selection in the Australia U23 squad and reaching 50 Aleague matches with MVFC.
Term 1 2023 Program Information
Registrations are open for the Term 1 program starting on Monday 30th January 2023.
Season 2023 – U14/U15/U16/U18 NPL Trials
Players born 2008-2005 are welcome to attend our open NPL trials for season 2023. Trials will commence Saturday 15th October 2022.
We do not just put teams together to compete, our high performance program is specifically focused on developing the individual footballer. You do not get these years back again, it is important to maximise player development during this U14-U18 phase.
FTS Talented Player Program
Registrations are now open for the FTS Talented Player Program starting on Monday 3rd October 2022 (Term 4).
This is for players born 2016 – 2007. Please note that places in this program are limited.
2023 – Development Squad Trials
In 2023, Football Technique School will be going into our 13th consecutive year running FTS Development Squads.
This is for age groups U8 to U13 in 2023.
Player Developmental Phases
Youth player development is often a rudderless journey for parents, relying on others to guide and support their childs football development experience. Sometimes glancing ahead and setting a direction can help navigate the journey.
Player Profiles
Player Signings – Melbourne Victory U16s & U21s. Western United U21s
On behalf of FTS coaches and staff, it’s time to say goodbye and best wishes to Parker Williams, Josh Francou, Jack Mihailidis & Matthew Lichtenstein – joining Aleague clubs Melbourne Victory & Western United in 2022.
The FTS45 Home Program is purposely designed to provide players an opportunity to learn, refine and practice key techniques, whilst also developing relevant football speed, agility and balance.
Each activity is outlined, including repetitions, sets and times, with a custom video to accompany that will guide and inspire the player (or parents of the younger players).
The program can be easily adapted to backyards, parks and indoor areas. Each session will take around 45min to complete. You will receive the upcoming weekly program each Sunday.
The FTS45 Home Program requires a commitment from the player, a willingness to learn and a spirit to work hard to develop and improve.
The FTS45 Home Program is purposely designed to provide players an opportunity to learn, refine and practice key techniques, whilst also developing relevant football speed, agility and balance.
Each activity is outlined, including repetitions, sets and times, with a custom video to accompany that will guide and inspire the player (or parents of the younger players).
The program can be easily adapted to backyards, parks and indoor areas. Each session will take around 45min to complete. You will receive the upcoming weekly program each Sunday.
The FTS45 Home Program requires a commitment from the player, a willingness to learn and a spirit to work hard to develop and improve.
Opportunities and experiences are a key part of the youth football journey – at 12 years of age we provide
opportunities for the players that are ready, to travel, train and play in Japan.
“An individual players technique (or technical ability) is the most important developmental element”
FTS Roll Steps (made in 2013), nice blast from the past, 5-6 years is a long time in football. Since this video was made, 16 of these ‘baby faced’ players from our FTS squads have gone on and represented Australia in Youth National Teams, Overseas or A-League senior youth teams (U20 and above).
Our Philosophy
You often hear stories about certain events or circumstances that change a person’s life, well for myself it was a visit to Clairefontaine (French National Training Centre) in 2006. As well as personal interviews with Aime Jacquet and other French youth technical coaches, I was guided through the age specific developmental training curriculum. The message was very simple – “an individual players technique (or technical ability) is the most important developmental element”.
Gerard Houllier took it one step further when he suggested that if a player at 16 years of age didn’t have a satisfactory technique, there was no way of ever catching up.
In recent years, my research and knowledge of the Dutch and Spanish youth developmental approaches has further helped me to understand the importance of providing a specific environment conducive to advancing a youth footballers technical ability.
The years 0-16 are so important, lots of hard work and patience required, the footballer doesn’t get a 2nd chance to build the foundation. As they enter the years 17-22, they need to be bulletproof as they prepare for senior football.
Michael McBride
OUR VISION
The VISION for FTS is as follows:
- Develop individual technique, skill and tactical awareness
- Guide players to be composed on the ball in tight areas under pressure
- Remove the pressure to 'win at all costs'
- Accept mistakes as part of the learning process, encourage players to learn from their mistakes
- Support players to take risks and play with no fear
- Encourage players to be creative and innovative
- Incorporate elements such as 'minimal structure' and 'free-play'
- Challenge coaches/parents to find ways to effectively communicate with young players
- Mentor and support players and parents in a holistic approach to football development
- Follow the FFA National Curriculum and encourage ALL players to participate in FFV/FFA talented pathway programs
FTS Trickshot Challenge – The lost “Art of Play” – it’s the innovation, creativity, persistence, skill and passion that we love about these trick shots!!
Here are all the entries – whilst we all know that bouncing a ball off the roof into a garbage bin won’t directly get you a professional contract, however playing with the ball like this is the essence of the game – its the lost “art of playing” that we need in the backyards and school yards across the country!
Some Background
Michael McBride
Michael is the FTS Program Director, his particular area of expertise involves developing the technical abilities of young footballers. He has the AFC-A Licence, Sports Coaching Degree and Masters in Sport Management. Michael spent 3 years with the Socceroos as an analyst, which included the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was also Assistant Coach for the U17 National Team (Joeys) and the FV National Training Centre (NTC).
Curriculum & Insights
Our curriculum is unique and based on years and years of genuine research, knowledge and practical implementation.
Parent Guidance
The key objective to youth development is to create an enjoyable and challenging culture that will fast track the young players. Given each individual underpins and drives their own developmental journey, the culture at home is as important as the culture within the FTS Program. We help support families to setup this positive culture at home by sharing knowledge and unique insights along the journey.
FTS Futsal
FTS supports the growth of the Futsal in Victoria.
Futsal is a sport in its own right, with its own pathway.
Playing Futsal is also a great developmental tool for young aspiring footballers, given the speed of the game and the tight spaces involved.
Many of the best footballers in the world grew up playing Futsal and even attribute it as being a key factor to their success e.g. Pele, Messi, Romario & Neymar.
FTS Futsal Club is determined to provide young players a genuine opportunity to further develop their technical skills and game insight in the sport of Futsal.
