Watching the Cup Final coverage on the BBC last Saturday, and basking pleasurably in the warm glow of nostalgia brought on by their excellent coverage, I was struck by the tendency of football fans to hark back to imagined golden eras, when every stadium was full, the goals flowed, and each team had a hard […]

This infographic highlights some useful tips for coaching child soccer. Following these tips will help you create a positive football coaching environment.

This infographic illustrates some effective measures to ensure safety of soccer players.

Playing any sport properly to a good standard brings a whole range of benefits for a young child, and can have a massive impact on their physical and mental well-being. Many parents assume that sporting talent is innate; a genetic inheritance that enables certain children to excel, whilst their friends might struggle. However, high quality, […]

Important elements that are essential for the success of youth football.

Thousands of players have passed through the First Steps Soccer Academy over the years, and it always gives the Coaches a great thrill to see our graduates competing, whether it’s for their school, junior club, or a professional academy/centre of excellence. We all find it fascinating to watch players develop, and we’ll often chat to […]

View our latest infographic and know how to prevent common football injuries affecting children.

Football Associations, like Governments, are instinctively drawn to Big Ideas whenever they are faced by a perceived crisis. So, when England are knocked out of yet another major Tournament, an F.A. representative is unlikely to shuffle his feet, look at the floor, then shrug his shoulders and say, “Look, I’m very sorry, but finding a […]

View our latest infographic and learn top ways to develop best soccer skills in your kids.

As the equalising Anderlecht goal hit the net, my Arsenal supporting friend had seen enough, “That! That…..!”, he moaned, eyes boggled, struggling for the words to express his disgust at another defensive capitulation. “My Under 13’s team defends better than that!” Poor Arsene Wenger is a man under siege; ex players joined the chorus of […]