Accumulation of Hours & Number of Touches

Research suggests that it takes a player 10,000 hours of soccer-specific practice and play to reach high levels of expertise. Currently on Paramus and in the United States generally, our young players are not accumulating anywhere near these number of hours.

The Paramus United Soccer Development Framework focuses on providing players with more soccer opportunities that are tailored to develop the individual, more often. Structured soccer homework, regular skill and juggling evaluations motivate players to train on their own thereby receiving more touches of the ball and reach greater levels of technical proficiency. Particular attention is paid to the balance between soccer-specific deliberate practice (e.g. highly structured coach-led practice) and soccer-specific play (e.g. unstructured backyard soccer) throughout the player’s development.

Early Engagement

Research demonstrates that future professional and collegiate-level players begin playing soccer by the age of five, and that success is related to the accumulated hours of specific soccer training. However, rather than an early specialisation model, the Paramus United Soccer Development Framework promotes an Early Engagement approach. During this period (4-12 years old), soccer-specific play is emphasised to promote guided discovery and develop ‘intelligent’ players.

This approach of channelling early Phases of Competition back onto the individual helps create intrinsic motivation and develops the love for the game. This will drive young players into more deliberate practice and commitment towards excellence at later stages of their development. Elements with the Paramus United Soccer Development Framework also focus on creating physically literate players with the fundamental skills to remain active for life.

Recognizing Developmental Age

The timing and tempo of child maturation varies greatly between individuals during growth. This is described as the difference between chronological and developmental age. Players may be of the same chronological age but differ by two to four years in their developmental age.

The Paramus United Soccer Development Framework encourages coaches to be aware of these individual differences when they design training programs and select players. Late maturers should be given as much attention as early maturers, so that no gifted players drop out or miss out on learning opportunities.

Training Emphasis Periods

The physiological systems of young players grow at different rates and times during development. To reach a players’ genetic potential, different fitness training components need to be emphasised at the correct period during a players’ development. The training periods are never completely shut, but improvement may not be optimal.

The Paramus United Soccer Development Framework is structured to provide periods of soccer-specific training without the distraction of competitive league games or back-to-back tournament play. During this period, players develop the technical and tactical foundations they need to play the game effectively and avoid the development of bad soccer habits.

Four Pillars Approach

The gradual, progressive development of players is fundamental to their enjoyment, technical competency and retention in the game. Becoming a well-rounded and successful soccer player at the highest levels of competition requires a balance of mental, physical, and emotional factors, all of which must be fostered throughout a young player’s development. The Four Pillars Approach requires an integration of the following elements:

• TECHNICAL SKILL
• TACTICAL UNDERSTANDING
• PHYSICAL FITNESS
• MENTAL & EMOTIONAL QUALITIES

Although priorities will vary during the player’s different phases of maturity, the Four Pillars model provides a basic framework for coaches.

For more information, see our Four Pillars of Development page.

Identification and Recruitment

Player development is dynamic and non-linear, and there are multiple pathways that young players may take. The Paramus United Soccer Development Framework aims to provide all players with the skills, knowledge and ability to decide for themselves where, and to what extent, they wish to take their soccer careers.

There are specific events and transitions in a players developmental pathway. The Framework is designed to maximize age-appropriate opportunities for players to participate in and be exposed to different environments in which they can be recognized. 

Framework Integration and Alignment

Long-term development depends on an array of stakeholders, including clubs, schools and family and outside coaching. To optimise player development, the Paramus United Soccer Development Framework asks that different clubs and institutions become aligned with each other, so they are mutually supportive, clear in their roles, and aware of how they contribute to player development.

Coaches should not deter players who participate in other programs seeking additional training in a competitive environment as long as it doesn’t effect the dynamics of the current team. Likewise, clubs that have a clearly defined mission to develop competitive players should have specific programs for competitive development or clearly delineated training environments that cater to non-competitive players so that all players are able to maximize and enjoy their experience.