The athletic training at AFA continuously develops the technical-tactical and conditional performance of children and young people. Training is precisely designed and individualized according to age and performance level.

Forms of games and exercises primarily include playful movement and coordination exercises to train the ability to react, orient, change and balance. The exercises are planned in a varied and alternating manner so that each training session remains inspiring for the youngsters.

Conditioning exercises are systematically started only in the advanced level or for players from thirteen years of age. An individualized homework program is also used in the development and performance area, which complements the team training with the aim of stabilizing the players in terms of prevention and sustainably increasing performance through greater strength development. A “mobile gym” is therefore developed for each player. After an intensive introduction to the basics of stabilization training, the players are given a program tailored to their needs, which allows them to perform the tasks on their own responsibility.

Training at AFA should not be reduced only to its sporting function – technical-tactical and conditioning factors – but also has the very important mission of promoting the development of the personality of young people.

Our coaches are required to take into account social and educational goals in the design of training. In this way, players learn to develop personal skills such as self-management and a sense of responsibility for themselves and others, as well as the ability to comprehend and reflect on their own actions and achievements. Respect and cohesion are especially valued in a team sport. In this way, young people playfully learn not to exclude anyone, but to be open to other cultures, attitudes and opinions.

In one thing the parents of the young players can be absolutely sure at AFA, personalities grow here!With us, in every type of training, with every age group and every level of performance, the players should, in addition to the sporting aspects, improve the following qualities, among others:

• Teamwork and social skills
• Cognitive skills
• Self-confidence, independence and responsibility
• Health awareness

In team sports, it is not the individual player who wins and loses, but always the whole team together. That is why the ability to work in a team is a fundamental basis for sporting success. This includes skills and qualities such as empathy, consideration and the ability to understand others, helpfulness, critical faculties, tolerance, the ability to cooperate, communication skills and, as essential points, a certain degree of frustration tolerance and the constructive resolution of conflicts.

Just as in life in general, sports are not always about winning. In competitive sports, you are forced to learn how to lose and cope with disappointment. On the playing field, you have to learn to accept the decisions of the coach or referee. Moreover, in every community there are situations – even and especially in a soccer team – where you have to compromise for the benefit of the community.

Cognitive skills include attention, memory, creativity and planning, belief and will – all of which are of great importance for the learning and development process. Through changing and varying tasks in training, players are required to meet increased demands in this area. The strategic increase of cognitive demands in training results in an improvement of the players’ cognitive abilities. This further leads to the improvement of athletic performance. The cognitive skills are a significant basis for effective and efficient learning – also in school. Therefore, our coaches always take into account the cognitive dimension in their training planning.

Enjoyment and passion for sports as well as the shared experiences with teammates strengthen the self-confidence of the young people. Individuality is an important factor for us. Each child and each young player is considered an individual and during training their strengths and weaknesses are taken into account and developed in the best possible way. Each player is a valuable personality with us and we maintain an uncomplicated and honest atmosphere, which contributes to a strengthening of the self-confidence of the young people. Only a player who trusts himself is able to make independent decisions and take responsibility for them.

Self-confident people who are ready to take responsibility for their lives, who set goals and work on achieving these goals in a committed, ambitious and consistent manner and equipped with a plan are among the winners in life.

AFA is aware that health is the prerequisite for a player’s performance. In addition to the wide range of services in the field of health management, we educate players of all ages to take a responsible approach to their own health. Through comprehensive information on the topics of prevention, regeneration, and nutrition, we develop the players’ health awareness.