Armenian coach and referee courses held

The first two stages have been completed of a new, four-stage B coaching licence course organised by the Football Federation of Armenia (HFF) which aims to improve coaching methods among trainers of young players in the country.

"This course is aimed at youth football, and our primary task is to teach coaches and give them training methods which are unique to each age group because every age group has its own physiological features," said course instructor Albert Safaryan. "There are 48 participants on the course. We have created good conditions for organising and conducting courses at the football academy."

"The main task is to teach coaches modern training methods. We have many talented children and doing the right work with them, in particular improving their technical skills and speed, will help them become good players. The exercises should be dynamic and suited to the players' ages, while strenuous physical exercises should be avoided. It is also important to improve communication with children, using a training style, language and gestures that encourage them to become respectable individuals."

The academy also held a training course for referees in July, with the course for officials in the Armenian Premier and First Divisions being conducted by former FIFA referee Valentin Ivanov, and FIFA physical training specialist Grzegorz Krzosek.

The course comprised theoretical and practical sessions, a fitness test, as well as the observation and analysis of the referees appointed for the Premier League match between FC Mika and FC Pyunik. Ivanov presented the changes to the Laws of the Game as well as also leading practical courses for referees and assistant referees. For the practical courses, he was assisted by Krzosek and head of the referee department at the HFF, Karen Nalbandyan.