Enjoy seeing your child taking their first steps in football. We want all players to arrive and leave with a big smile on their face, because we know that every moment is so crucial when just getting started with the beautiful game. Having fun is the aim of all our sessions and making sure our little diamonds go back home with that big smile they came with.

We tell the story to all our Reception footballers that the ball is your best friend, treat it with love and affection, protect the ball, shield the ball and keep the ball close to you. Some footballers may come to us with this being their first step into football, and that’s totally fine. Smiles on faces and lots of fun guaranteed.

Whilst reinforcing the fundamentals which our footballers learnt during the Reception & Pre-School phase, Years 1 to 6 are the ‘Golden Age’ of learning. All players are encouraged to gain confidence with the ball. Each player has a ball, ensuring a high number of touches per session which combine fun games and small sided matches.

All players are encouraged to gain confidence dribbling the ball, with sessions focused on individual play and learning new skills. They begin their development towards a complete mastery of the ball. This can only be achieved through regular contacts and time spent on the ball, of which they get as part of their sessions at MDFS.

Dribbling and passing are being developed by all players. Technique is enhanced by working on turning, controlling and running with the ball throughout fun games, maximising ball contacts.
Our players will get activities that are enjoyable, simple and engaging. Practices will be delivered with enthusiasm.

At this age you will be able to see the players develop their movement capability through a wide variety of physical and sporting activities. They will be now making decisions on the football pitch, learning by making mistakes, encouraged to try new things. As coaches, we will be showing a greater interest in their development and their wider life.

Players will not have achieved complete mastery of the ball yet. Maintain lots of individual ball contacts but place this more and more into games of varying numbers and formats. As players they can now begin to develop their decision making by playing complex games with more of a tactical focus. They will be developing a sense of team and the variety of roles this may bring. It is the responsibility of the coach to give every player the opportunity to participate to help them develop further.

For our older footballers, they will be learning the principles of play. This includes playing out from the back, controlling possession, positioning, movement, compactness, combination play and counter pressing.

For our older footballers, they will be learning the principles of play. This includes playing out from the back, controlling possession, positioning, movement, compactness, combination play and counter pressing.

The Skills Clinic is for footballers who are wanting to take their skills to the next level. Delivered every Friday by MDFS founder Mark, sessions are designed to improve confidence on the ball and adapting new skills into game situations.