Fun Football
Training football intelligence
Developing Game Intelligence using FUNINO – an intellegent learning concept developed by Horst Wein
In 2011, Cross Cultures invited the Grand Master Horst Wein to introduce our Balkan network to his football philosophy and how to stimulate and unlock Creativity and Game Intelligence. It was a VERY inspiriting seminar to all of us – Horst inclusive. In Skopje Airport on his way home, Horst started to draft the wonderful and relevant manual: FUNINO – The Beautiful Game for Kids”, which to Cross Cultures is an excellent contribution to kids football, and which is also consistent with Cross Cultures Fun Football philosophy and our specific Integrated learning approach, which we know Horst Wein highly appreciated as well.
The FFA-man is a tool where pupils go through a conflict with the guidance and mediation of an adult.
The FFA-man is developed in order to show pupils what may really be take place in any given conflict, in an appropriate manner.
Unfortunately, Horst is no longer among us, but allow us to send Horst our warm thoughts and introduce you to his philosophy as his philosophy is all based on a systematic 3-dimensional learning approach.
Preparatory/corrective games
To develop game intelligence coaches should begin by using the games listed in Preparatory/corrective Games for FUNINO. These exercises and games are proposed in a progressive manner, so that the young players can grasp the basic requirements for playing in simple and then progressively more complex situations. The games start 3v0, then 3v1, then 3v2 until players are ready to enjoy playing and discovering all the 3v3 variations.
Series of FUNINO games
The series of 26 games with their many variations offers a comprehensive menu to stimulate and develop creativity and game intelligence.
- The smaller pitch, and more especially, the options created by having two wide goals at each end, encourage young players to play the game first in their head, befare they finish the action with their feet. Reading the game situation and knowing which goal to attack demands good perception skills in order to make good decisions.
- Because of the two-wide goals, players are less likely to swarm, giving
- The position of the two wide goals at each end naturally encourages the players to look up in order to see what options are available, in this way, developing good peripheral vision, the first step in playing intelligently.
- With few players the game situations are easier to analyse for the coach and the player and decision-making is much easier.
5. The frequent repetition of the most important game situations allows players the opportunity to learn and master them.
6. The multiple variations of FUNINO require the players to be ever-alert to changing situations and stimulates innovation, improvisation and creativity.
7. The simplicity of the game means that the players gain experience in defending and attacking more intensely than in bigger games.
8. Because of the physical intensity of the game, players are more actively involved and tire more quickly which forces them to cooperate with their teammates and to pass the ball.
Note: Players at this age are very ego-centered and like as much time on the ball as possible, to dribble and to score goals. They will naturally keep the ball to themselves and should not be forced to pass by the coach. Allowing them this time to practice dribbling and beating opponents to create scoring chances is very precious.