The document outlines the youth development programme of the German Football Federation (DFB). It details the structure and goals of the programme, which aims to develop youth players through an age-appropriate system from basic training to elite promotion. The programme is organized into 4 steps covering ages 3-18+ and involves clubs, schools, regional associations, centers of excellence, and youth national teams. The overall goals are to motivate youth to play football and develop their technical, tactical, physical and personal skills to achieve success at the international level.

1. Youth development programme
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

2. 01 Agenda
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ Basic information
ᕢ Youth development structures

3. ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
Development through teamwork
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
DFB
Regional
associations
Clubs
School
system
02

4. 03 Goals
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
Interactive goals
Motivation to
play and move
Fascination
football
Top ranking in
international football

5. 04 Guidelines
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
Interactive guidelines
Systematic
development
Individual
development
Personal
development

6. 05 General concept
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
Enjoyment of
the activity
Will to
win
Technique
under pressure
Team structure
and hierarchy
Tactical
concept
Multifunction
fitness

7. 11-14 YEARS
21-29 YEARS
06 Youth development levels
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
30 YEARS PLUS
3-6 YEARS
Perfection of peak performance
Preparing for peak performance
Stabilisation
Learning
Playing
Stabilising peak performance7
6
5
4
3
2
1 Moving
17-20 YEARS
15-18 YEARS
7-10 YEARS

8. 07 Youth development structure
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
Step 4 Top-level football
(18 YEARS PLUS)
Step 3 Elite promotion
(15-20 YEARS)
Step 2 Talent development
(11-18 YEARS)
Step 1 Basic training
(3-10 YEARS)
İİİİ
NATIONAL TEAMS
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
BUNDESLIGA
YOUTH-
NATIONAL TEAMS
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE/
ELITE SCHOOLS
ELITE SCHOOLS
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
CLUB TEAMS
SCHOOL SYSTEM
KINDERGARTEN

9. 08 Key benefits
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕡ BASIC INFORMATION
Permeability
between all develop-
ment levels
Provision of
training principles
Cooperation
between all develop-
ment levels
Nationwide
scouting system
Individual
promotion of
talented players

10. 09
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE
Step 1 Basic training (3-10 YEARS)
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Kindergarten, school system and club teams

11. 10 Goal: Holistic personal and physical development
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 1 BASIC TRAINING KINDERGARTEN, SCHOOL SYSTEM AND CLUB TEAMS
Social learningCognitive skills
Health Motor skills

12. 11 Learning points
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 1 BASIC TRAINING KINDERGARTEN, SCHOOL SYSTEM AND CLUB TEAMS
Experiencing
football
General movement
skills
Learning by
playing football

13. 12 The role of the coach
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 1 BASIC TRAINING KINDERGARTEN, SCHOOL SYSTEM AND CLUB TEAMS
Assistance Training
Games

14. 13 Age-appropriate football games
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 1 BASIC TRAINING KINDERGARTEN, SCHOOL SYSTEM AND CLUB TEAMS
20 m
15 m
4 vs 4
4 vs 4 4 vs 4
4 vs 44 vs 4
7 vs 7 ca. 55 m
ca. 35 m ca. 35 m
7 vs 7
5 vs 5
6 vs 6
ca. 40 m
ca. 25 m
ca. 35 m
System of play: 4 vs 4 (no Goalkeeper)
or 4 + Goalkeeper vs 4 + Goalkeeper
Field Size: 20 x 15 meter
Goals: 2 meter
Game operation: Exhibition games
System of play: 5 vs 5 up to 7 vs 7
(including Goalkeeper)
Field Size: circa 35 x 25 meter (5 – 5, 6 – 6),
circa 40 x 35 meter (7 – 7)
Goals: 5 meter wide, 2 meter high
Game operation: Recreational games
System of play: 7 vs 7
(including Goalkeeper)
Field Size: circa 55 x 35 meter
Goals: 5 meter wide, 2 meter high
Game operation: Local leagues
U3 to U6 U7 to U8 U9 to U10

15. 14
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE
Step 2: Talent development (11-18 YEARS)
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
1. Youth development programme
2. Centers of excellence
3. Elite football schools
4. Regional associations

16. 15 Organisation
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 1. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
366 Regional bases
1.000 Coaches
14.000 Players between
11-15 years
29 Coordinators
600.000 Scouted players
Systematic training

17. 16 Goals
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 1. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Scouting and promotion
of regional talents
Technical and tactical
perfection
Encouraging players to
practice at home
Individual promotion without
pressure to succeed
Additional
individual training
Support for regional
club coaches

18. 17 Principles
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 1. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Systematic
training!
Holistic
approach!
Detailed
feedback!
Individual
coaching!
Playing and
practicing!
Long-term
goals!

19. 18 Organisation
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
45 Centers of excellence
Promotion of the most
talented players
ca. 200 full-time coaches
Required since 2002
Licensing-system since 2008
Further education
Manual of best practices

20. Standards of excellence19
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Highly qualified coaches
Optimal field and practice conditions
Promotion of the most talented players
Extensive scouting system
Integration of academic and vocational training
Housing for external players
Optimal injury prevention and rehabilitation

21. 20
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
Goals
Promotion of the most
talented players
Integration of academy
players into the first
team
Cooperation with
regional amateur clubs
Identification of the
supporters with regional
professional players
Development of as
many professional
players as possible
Transfery
players for
refinancing

22. 21
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
Principles
Professional
attitude!
Enjoyment of
the game!
Support players
own initiative!
Integration of football
and academics!
Individual
training loads!
Develop and challenge
players individual!

23. 22
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 3. ELITE FOOTBALL SCHOOLS
Organisation
28 Elite football schools
Holistic promotion of the
most talented players
There of 7 for female players
Additional training
Coordination of academic and
athletic concerns
18 Accreditation criteria
Standardised practice plans
Regional teams

24. 23
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 3. ELITE FOOTBALL SCHOOLS
Goals
Training
Football training/
Individual promotion
Studying
Academic and
vocational training
OPTIMAL
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMME
Living
Personal development

25. 24 Principels
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 3. ELITE FOOTBALL SCHOOLS
Teaching values such
as fair-play, honesty,
consideration, respect
and ambition
Optimal development
of academic and
athletic goals
Integration of the
youth into all processes
Promotion of
goal orientation on
and off the field
Qualifying youth players
for future tasks
PERSONALITY

26. 25 Goals of regional associations
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 4. REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Game
operation
Club
support
Employee
education
Talent
development

27. 26 Quality criteria
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 2 TALENT DEVELOPMENT 4. REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Promotion of girls
and school football
Nationwide scouting
system
Coaching
education
Select teams
Close
cooperation
Broad grassroots
programmes

28. 2727
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE
Step 3 Elite promotion (15-20 YEARS)
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
1. Youth national teams
2. Centers of excellence

29. 28 Goals
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 3 ELITE PROMOTION 1. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAMS
Goals
ᕣ Integration of international trends and
developments
ᕤ Promotion of high levels of professionalism
ᕥ Promotion of team-oriented players with
a strong personality and will to win
ᕡ Individual promotion of the most talented
players/international titles
ᕢ Training and playing on the highest possible
international level
ᕦ Development of a team structure and
hierarchy
ᕧ Exemplary behaviour and representation
ᕨ Coordination of athletics as well as
academic and vocational goals
ᕩ Optimal regulation of individual
training loads

30. 29 Planning for peak performance
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 3 ELITE PROMOTION 1. YOUTH NATIONAL TEAMS
Medical assistance
Personalised fitness
training
Position-specific
training
Optimal
self-management
Maintaining health
Video-feedback Performance tests
Psychological
assistance
Technique
Tactics
Personality
PEAK
PERFORMANCE
Fitness
İİİİ
İİİİ

31. 30 Structure of further support
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 3 ELITE PROMOTION 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
TALENT
U19
Personal
coordinatior
Choose cooperation with all
team coaches
Analysics of system games
and practices
Individual game and practice
schedule
Analysics of individual training loads
ĭ
ĭ
ĭ
DFB and regional
associations
First
team
Second
team

32. 31
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE
Step 4 Professional football (18 YEARS PLUS)
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

33. 32
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 4 PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
General concept
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
DFB GAME AND PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY
ĭ ĭ ĭ
ĭ ĭ ĭ
PROFESSIONAL
FOOTBALL
TALENT
DEVELOPMENT
COACHING
EDUCATION
Orientation for
coaching education
programmes
Long-term
concepts
Game and practice
concepts for
professional teams
Drills, practices and
coaching principles
Age-appropiate
philosophy
Guidelines
for coaching
instructions
Trends in
international football
Traditional strenghts
ĭĭ

34. 33
ᕢ YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STRUCTURE - STEP 4 PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Table of content for trend-analyses
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
ᕢ Playing out from the back
ᕡ System of play
ᕣ Attaching principles
ᕤ Defending principles
ᕥ Set pieces
ᕦ Goalkeeper-analyses
ᕧ Star players
ᕨ Finishing
ᕩ Tactical variability
µ Highlights
EM 2004
Technical report of the
European Championship
WM 2006
Technical report of the
World Cup
EM 2008
Technical report of the
European Championship
ANALYSE
EUROPAMEISTERSCHAFT 2004
ANALYSE
WELTMEISTERSCHAFT 2006

35. 34 Youth development programme
DFB - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
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