What is soccer development?

I read a lot of soccer blogs, news, and watch a lot of soccer… not only the news channels, but probably 2-3, or 4 games on TV a week. I coach 5-6 days a week, so I am pretty submerged in the beautiful game. One of the articles I recently read was posted on 3-4-3, a very good coach centered site written by a couple of people that have their heads in the right place as they look critically at the game of soccer in the U.S. Below is an exchange I had with some of the other readers and thought you may enjoy the exchange. I think some very important points are raised by Gary, you can read more responses on 3-4-3:

Player Development: Accountable for What? And to Who?

by Gary Kleiban on July 10, 2011

I don’t know if real accountability for player development is possible.

What are the metrics?

• Is it how many players you place in college?
• Is it the number that get called to youth national teams?
• Is it the number of professionals you’ve touched while they were amateur?

Tyler Dennis July 11, 2011 at 10:04 am

Gary Kleiban July 12, 2011 at 4:58 pm

I’m with you Tyler. I think the target must be the moon and the stars.

Now, here’s a problem;
If we consider the vast majority of American MLS players “not developed”, then were their respective youth coaches “good”.

For instance, was the coach who had a big influence with Altidore, Wynne, Casey, et al an excellent developer of players?

Reply

Tyler Dennis July 12, 2011 at 9:44 pm

I would say they weren’t good coaches. If those players were able to make it to the professional level/National team without their “special” physical attributes, I’d say yes.

Altidore is 6’1?, Conor Casey 6’2?, Marvell Wynne is 5’9? but possesses freakish speed. Those guys still aren’t good enough to be special even with those attributes. When it’s easy for a coach to pick a player based on their physical attributes, and they don’t help that player become a phenom then they aren’t good. Sorry, but if Marvell Wynne had a great coach, he’d be playing left back for Barcelona or Chelsea. Altidore scored only 1 goal in 28 appearances for Hull City in the EPL… nope, not good enough.

We don’t have those coaches. I think there are very few coaches in the American system that would pass up size or speed for a skillful player. Remember, they’ve got to get the kids into college so that they can market their programs… and Colleges want to win… athletes win because its a game of multiple subs and athleticism.

It is hard to get kids to play attractive soccer. It takes a lot of time and attention to detail. It also takes intensity at practice to create an environment that is game like. I just don’t see coaches willing to require that intensity, nor do they pay enough attention to detail to get the kids better. They are too afraid to lose the kids and the parents or they just don’t know what it takes to be damn good.

I still see too many coaches, with credentials galore, playing kickball, bypassing the midfield, not playing out of the back, having a defender take the goal kick, looking for big strong forwards…

So, my answer to your question about the coach of those guys is no, he wasn’t good… because those players had physical attributes that should have given them a huge advantage in the world of soccer and they aren’t in the top 200 in the world.

Reply

BillR July 13, 2011 at 6:52 am

Tyler,

Excellent post, I think you’ve hit the nail on the proverbial head!

My only quibble is with your comment about Wynne, I don’t think he has the level of concentration or creative ability to step up to a World class level. I think the mental capacity to concentrate for 90+ minutes is underestimated by people looking at players (or the game in general). Soccer may place a greater toll on concentration/mental strength than almost any other sport (certainly team sport). No time outs, constant pressure, and a single lapse can cost you the game.

Wynne has World class physically to be sure, but the mental side of the game appears to be well short of the mark. His skill level was probably stunted by his ability to overpower everyone as a youth player.

Bill

Reply

Tyler Dennis July 13, 2011 at 8:44 am

Bill,

I agree with you about the mental capacity being very important. I think that mental capacity is developed with an intense practice. If the practice is lackadaisical, then the player’s mind just isn’t challenged. We have to make them think while they are in practice, call them out on it when they don’t and do our best, as coaches, to get the kids to keep pushing the limits of both their physical and mental game. A good coach is one that inspires and pushes a player to be what they can be and doesn’t let them just be what they are.