A STANDARD operating procedure (SOP) for football coaches in schools to bring out the best from promising young players.
That’s the view of SMK Clifford Kuala Kangsar, Perak coach R. Siva Anand on the national Football DNA plan, also known as Malaysia Way, that was introduced by FAM recently.
He said adopting a similar football playing style, as dictated by FAM at all levels, will make it easier for young players to adopt to the game and eventually improve their skill and performance.
“The DNA plan is certainly good news... I noticed most teachers with experience in the game (those who previously played or are still actively playing) prefer to use the 4-3-3 formation rather than the traditional 4-4-2. Football is now all about pace.
“As a coach, I have been deploying the 4-3-3 formation for my school’s Under-15 and Under-18 side.
“The formation will see three midfielders who can play different roles as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder and a false nine. And this also depends on the quality of the players,” said Siva Anand, a teacher whose players have represented the Perak state team at various age groups.
He said implementing the new DNA in Malaysian football is going to be interesting as proper early guidance in schools will be crucial to developing the players’ passion for the game and leading to massive positive changes in the sport.
SK Felda Kota Gelanggi 1, Jerantut, coach Mohd Syahir Shuhaimi said the Football DNA plan should be extensively introduced at schools around the country as these places are where young talents are plenty.
He said since Malaysia is going to have its own DNA, then the game should be introduced to children as early as possible, from pre-school.
“In other countries, clubs groom players as young as five years old by teaching them the required football DNA. So now, we should do the same.”
In reference to many students playing “half-field” (often six-a-side), he said there should be more 11-a-side matches and competitions so that players will be comfortable with the system.
“The 4-3-3 formation has long been used as most of the team have adopted the system. Even at school, we feel that style of play suits the players and allow them to produce positive results,” he said.
Physical education teacher Mohd Khairuddin Sani said the DNA plan should be given serious focus at primary school level as it will nurture promising footballers.
“At primary level, we have certified football coaches, players who train at football academies during weekends and even actively play in age group tournaments for certain clubs.
“To make sure the DNA programme is a success, it has to start at an early age with support from all quarters including, the Education Ministry and schools,” he said.
Form One student Nik Khaleef Fitri Nik Sukry described his experience playing with a football academy in Kuantan as an eye opener, which taught him about proper playing techniques, skill and blending with the fast paced-game.
The 13-year-old said playing with a certified academy with trained coaches has helped to lift his game as the coaches have always emphasised that his team stick to a certain playing system.
“We are trained from young to adopt a certain system and this makes it easier when we go on to represent the school, district or state. Training is not only about dribbling, kicking or scoring goals but playing with a system and everyone has to know their roles during a match.
“It will be good if all the young players practise and train under one formation (DNA programme). Some of us might represent the country one day and it would be easier for us to play together,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMK Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Muhammad forward Muhammad Fakhrul Nizam Mohd Helmi, 15, said the new DNA plan will certainly promise a lot of excitement in football.
“We already have a football system (at schools) but the DNA programme allows us to study about the game and take football to a higher level. I am sure with the DNA programme, other aspects of the game will also be looked into including fitness, diet and discipline.
“Students will certainly benefit a lot from this new plan,” he said.