Coaching Children with the CDEF Framework

Coaching Children with the CDEF Framework

Introduction

Coaching children is like planting a garden. Each player is a seed with unique potential, and the coach is the gardener who must provide the right balance of sunlight, water, and nutrients—or in this case, communication, decision-making, execution, and fitness—to help them grow. But just as some seeds need more water and less sunlight at different stages, young players require tailored training that aligns with their developmental stage.

When coaching children, how do you decide which element of the CDEF framework to prioritise? Is it Communication, Decision Making, Execution, or Football Fitness? The answer lies in understanding the cognitive development and physical capabilities of the group you’re coaching. By aligning your training focus with the developmental stage of your players, you can ensure that your sessions are both age-appropriate and effective.

This blog explores how coaches can use the CDEF framework to design training sessions tailored to the needs of children under 13 years old. By focusing predominantly on execution while laying the foundation for football fitness, coaches can create a structured and impactful learning environment for young players.

Cognitive and Physical Elements in the CDEF Framework

All football actions involve physical processes, but every movement is guided by cognitive processes. To clarify:

• Cognitive elements involve actions that happen unconsciously or are not directly visible, such as planning, processing information, or deciding where to pass.

• Physical elements include observable actions, such as passing, shooting, or running.

In the CDEF framework:

• Communication and Decision Making represent the cognitive elements that cannot be directly observed. For example, a coach cannot have an in-depth conversation with a 4-year-old to understand what the player is communicating or what decision the player is making. At this stage of cognitive development, young players are not equipped to articulate their internal processes, making it challenging to address these elements directly in training. Instead, coaches must rely on visible actions and outcomes to guide their instruction.

• Execution and Football Fitness represent the physical elements, which are visible and measurable, such as the quality of a pass or the speed of a sprint.

Understanding this distinction helps coaches tailor their sessions to suit the developmental stage of their players.

The Role of Age in Prioritising CDEF Elements

The focus of a training session depends heavily on the age and cognitive development of the players:

• Children under 13 years old are still developing key cognitive skills such as impulse control, planning, and evaluating actions. Research shows that the prefrontal cortex, responsible for these functions, continues to develop well into adolescence (Casey, Tottenham, & Fossella, 2002). Additionally, Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that children in this age range are transitioning from concrete operational to formal operational stages, which impacts their ability to plan and foresee consequences (Piaget, 1972). As a result, their focus during training often benefits from prioritising visible and repetitive actions like execution, which align with their developmental stage. Engaging them in discussions about their communication or decisions during play is often less effective at this stage.

• For this age group, the emphasis should be on Execution (E)—the visible, physical actions like passing, shooting, and dribbling. These actions form the foundation of football fitness and build technical skills critical for long-term development.

Structuring Age Brackets with CDEF Priorities

The developmental stages of players determine how the CDEF framework is applied. Below is a breakdown of age brackets and the rationale for prioritising specific elements:

This visual comparison summarises the shift in focus as players mature, highlighting the balance required for optimal development.

Designing Training Sessions for Children

For children under 13, the CDEF framework might look like cdEf, with Execution taking priority while still incorporating other elements. Here’s why:

• Frequent execution builds a strong technical foundation.

• Repeated football actions naturally contribute to developing football fitness.

• Cognitive elements like decision-making and communication can be introduced gradually as players mature.

Example Training Session for Ages 4–12:

1. Warm-Up: Dynamic exercises with simple instructions to engage players physically and mentally.

2. Main Activity: Small-sided games focusing on passing, shooting, and dribbling.

   • Encourage frequent actions without overloading players with tactical instructions.

3. Cool-Down: Reflect on their actions (e.g., “What did you enjoy most today?”) to gently introduce self-awareness.

Why Execution Should Be the Focus

Execution is the foundation upon which football fitness, decision-making, and communication are built. By prioritising execution:

• Coaches help players develop the fundamental skills necessary for the game.

• Players build confidence through repetition and visible progress.

• Training sessions remain fun and engaging, ensuring young players stay motivated and enjoy their time on the pitch.

Looking Ahead

To illustrate the difference between training children and adults using the CDEF framework, consider the following comparison:

Children’s Training (Under 13):

• Focus: Execution (cdEf)

• Key Traits: Fun, frequent repetitions, and technical skill development.

• Example: Small-sided games emphasizing passing and dribbling with minimal tactical instructions.

Adult Training (Over 18):

• Focus: Tactical elements like communication and decision-making (CDEF).

• Key Traits: Strategic planning, role-specific instructions, and higher physical intensity.

• Example: Full-field drills with set plays, pressing strategies, and communication emphasis.

These differences highlight how the cognitive and physical maturity of players shape the priorities of training sessions. Coaches should adapt their methods to match the developmental needs and capabilities of their players.

For older age groups and adult teams, the reasons for prioritising different elements of the CDEF framework can vary greatly. Coaches may shift focus to communication, decision-making, execution, or fitness based on tactical needs or match-day objectives. These nuances will be explored in the next blog.

Conclusion

Coaching children requires a tailored approach. By understanding the cognitive and physical demands of each age group, coaches can use the CDEF framework to design age-appropriate and impactful training sessions. For players under 13, prioritising execution (cdEf) lays a solid foundation for football fitness while gradually integrating cognitive elements.

Imagine a 10-year-old player named Liam, who started the season struggling to dribble past defenders. By focusing on execution during small-sided games, his confidence with the ball grew week by week. By the end of the season, Liam wasn’t just executing better—he was beginning to anticipate defenders’ movements, hinting at the early stages of decision-making. Liam’s story shows how a structured approach tailored to developmental stages can unlock potential over time.

Looking ahead, the next blog will explore how to design sessions for older players (13+) where decision-making and communication begin to take center stage. We’ll delve into how to gradually shift the focus from foundational skills to advanced tactical understanding. Stay tuned!