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Review
. 2023 Feb;17(1):22-27.
doi: 10.1177/18632521221149057. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

FIFA 11+ Kids: Challenges in implementing a prevention program

Méline Franchina  1 , Marco Turati  2   3   4   5 , Stéphane Tercier  6   7 , Barbara Kwiatkowski  7
Affiliations
Review

FIFA 11+ Kids: Challenges in implementing a prevention program

Méline Franchina et al. J Child Orthop. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Soccer is a popular sport among children and adolescents that exposes to a high risk of injury. Several prevention programs, including the FIFA 11+ Kids program have been developed to decrease this injury rate. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge and use of the FIFA 11+ Kids program among soccer coaches of skeletally immature soccer players in a Swiss canton and analyze difficulties of implementing such a prevention program.

Materials & methods: First, an online survey was sent to all soccer coaches involved in Swiss training programs for male players from 7 to 13 years of age. Coaches were identified through existing Swiss coaching networks. A total of 237 coaches completed the survey. Second, the FIFA 11+ Kids program was implemented in three soccer teams (players from 7 to 13 years of age) during 6 months in the same canton. Utilization of FIFA 11+ Kids program and compliance of coaches were recorded by the research staff.

Results: Around 84% of the included coaches in the survey were certified. Of those, 59% had been taught injury prevention during their course(s). Only 14% of the included coaches knew one of the FIFA programs (11, 11+, 11+ Kids), of those, about one-third (10 out of 237) used the FIFA 11+ Kids program. After 6 months, none of the soccer coaches applied the entire FIFA 11+ Kids program twice a week. One coach had completely abandoned the program. The main reasons for their disapproval were the time and surveillance needed and the players' lack of motivation. They stated, however, that the exercises were good if used occasionally.

Conclusion: Injury prevention should be integrated in every soccer coach education courses. An adaptation of the FIFA 11+ Kids program should be considered, especially for the youngest players.

Keywords: FIFA 11+ Kids; prevention; soccer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Evaluation of the players from the 16 trainers that apply one of the FIFA’s programs (11, 11+, 11+ kids). Responses to five affirmations with “yes,” “uncertain,” or “no.”
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Strengths of FIFA’s programs (11, 11+, 11+ kids) according to the 16 coaches who apply it.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Weaknesses of FIFA’s programs (11, 11+, 11+ kids) according to the 16 coaches who apply it.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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