Objective. To provide a comparative analysis of innovations in the multi-year preparation of football players for achievement of the highest sports mastery that were employed in Western Europe from the perspective of their use in children and youth football.
Methods. Analysis of program and regulatory documents and training programs from leading European football teams and federations.
Results. The competitive practice of Ukrainian young football players at stages of long-term perfection was analyzed. It was found that activity of Ukrainian children’s coaches in children and youth football teams is oriented on the current outcome, rather than the quality and efficiency of training process, aimed at individual development and training of a creative player.
Conclusion. The need was identified for changes in the national system of multi-year preparation, practice of children and youth competitions, and pedagogical approaches to management of sports activity of young football players.