He's educated countless teammates in the art of defending on the pitch, but this week Jamie Carragher dropped by Northway Primary School to turn his hand to teaching tactics in the classroom.

Video: Carra goes back to class>>

The Anfield vice-captain left children delighted as he popped by in a surprise visit to help launch Liverpool FC's five-week Tactics 4 Families project at the Wavertree school.

Year five and six pupils learned why being part of a successful football team is similar to being part of a strong family.

And the kids were encouraged to explore why a 'team of Carraghers' wouldn't work in reality as the best sides are always comprised of individuals who each have their own special talents and skills.

After chatting about his own family life, Carra joined pupils in some workbook exercises before holding an entertaining Q&A session with the youngsters.

"I've done this type of thing before, and with having a family of my own, it does mean a great deal to me to get into the schools and try to make the kids' day a bit better," Carragher told .tv.

"Hopefully they can learn something from it.

"There are all different things you can do within the community, but I do enjoy the events with the children because you never know quite what's going to come up, or what comments are going to be made.

"They certainly bring you back down to earth - they're typical kids from Liverpool and I was probably the same myself at their age. They've always got a smart comment to make and I like that type of thing.

"Hopefully we can give them as many opportunities as possible. That's what this work is for."

Tactics 4 Families is one of a number of projects set up by Liverpool FC to benefit local communities, and Carragher is well positioned to discuss the strides forward the club have made in order to give something back to the city.

"It's getting bigger and bigger all the time," he said. "When I first started I didn't realise how big it was or how much involvement the players had, but with the finances in football now, it is important we give something back.

"But it's not just Liverpool, it's all of the clubs in the Premier League and the players are happy to be involved."

While Carragher took time to sign autographs for children - of both Red and Blue persuasions - LFC Family Officer Mark Chester explained the messages behind the Tactics 4 Families programme.

He said: "Tactics 4 Families is all about supporting and encouraging strong family relationships.

"We work with children in years five and six in the cities' schools, and the programme looks at how a football team works and then how a family team should work - how the skills you need in a football team are very similar to the skills you need in a family.

"The theme of our first lesson was team work. Hopefully the children will take away the message that a family is a team and it's important to work together to achieve goals.

"Tactics 4 Families is going really well, and our new workbook has gone down a treat.

"In the past we used worksheets, which were fine, but now we've got highly-illustrated, vibrant workbooks. The kids love it and it's become a bit of a souvenir for them as well. It educates, but entertains as well."

Mark believes it is vital first-team players lend their support to such programmes and added: "It's great to have Jamie's support. He speaks passionately about his own family and how important his family is to him in his life.

"If the children hear that coming from someone like Jamie, they'll take notice and listen. Hopefully they'll apply those principals to their own families themselves.

"Jamie's great at getting involved and talking to the kids. He's good fun and was a fantastic classroom assistant. The kids loved having him here."

Click here for more information on Tactics 4 Families>>