JUNE 2019
TECHNIQUE OVER SIZE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE DON'T WORRY ABOUT SIZE, FOCUS ON THE TECHNICAL. BALL MASTERY TRAINING. CHANGING PACE IN THE GAME.
Welcome to the
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
MAGAZINE
CONTENTS PAGE 4 - WELCOME PAGE 6 - TECHNIQUE OVER SIZE PAGE 11 - BALL MASTERY SKILLS & TECHNIQUES PAGE 13 - BALL MASTERY TRAINING PAGE 15 - 1200+ TOUCHES PAGE 17 - TO DRIBBLE OR NOT TO DRIBBLE PAGE 21 - MONTHLY MASTERY PAGE 23 - STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PAGE 26 - FOLLOW US
Welcome Thanks for joining us for our June edition of the Player Development Magazine. This month we're looking at the influence of players who are physically more dominant than others and how we can help them, and those who are less of stature, reach their potential. We mustn't get caught up in thinking that a player is better than another due to their size. It's all about the technical! In addition to that we have ball mastery training and plenty of skills, techniques and videos for you, or your players, to learn. We hope you enjoy and thanks for joining us!
Elliott Everson, Owner, OpportunityElite
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Technique over Size. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
At youth level we, as players and coaches, all want to win. But what we must remember is that player development is most important. Quite regularly, especially in the younger age groups, we will see the best players typically being the most physically dominant and influential. Due to this it is very common to overlook the smaller in stature players, believing they don't have the same skill set, or influence on the game, as the more physically matured individual. We all want to win, but the key should be player development, not instant results. Practice should focus on developing all players, and giving game time to players of all sizes to allow them to flourish into the influential players that their potential shows. At the young ages, a player who can strike the ball powerfully, or dribble past players using their size and power, will stand out the most. More often than not, these players will score fantastic goals from distance, hold off three or four players and shoot, or jump higher than anyone to head the ball into the back of the net. This is great, but the physical advantage that these individuals have, at this stage of their development, is crucial to their success. If we applaud them and fail to see the areas of development that their potential requires, then we are doing ourself as a player, or coach, a disservice.
In youth development we shouldn't assess players based on their physical size. Instead, assess players on their technical ability. Assessing players on their technical ability, instead of their physical dominance, especially at the youth level, will greatly help players smaller in stature and also those who regularly dominate games due to their physical size. Technique should always come first.
It may seem that those players who are physically more dominant don't need to improve their close control, dribbling, or other core skills. They are already dominating games to such extents that it can seem that they don't need the help - but we couldn't be further from the truth. These players, as well as those smaller in stature, need to focus on the technical side of the game.
Physical development takes place at different ages, but eventually we all reach physical maturity. The differences in physical stature become less and less as we age, but what becomes more apparent is the difference in technical ability. Players and coaches need to look at their technical ability now, and how they can improve it for the future. The focus should be on technical development, not their influence on a game at this very moment in time. Quite regularly we hear of players who have been picked up by an academy at a young age. They would stand out in all their matches, dominating the opposition week in, week out. But, as their physical development slowed, the other players began to catch up, making it much harder for the individual to exert any influence on the game. These players, who have relied on their physical presence, will soon realise that as they get older, they begin to fall behind. Our focus, no matter what the physical size, is to look at the player in their technical development.
Why focus on technique if the player is physically dominant? We've seen players like this many times before, dominating the match with their size and presence, much more physical and stronger than their contemporaries. These players have a significant advantage over others on the pitch. Is there much need then to work on their technical skills, when they already dominate so much? Absolutely! We need to be working on their technical skills continuously, making sure that they are making the most out of their potential in the future. Due to their current level of ability, it may seem like we don't need to work hard on the technical side of the game, but these more physically dominant players won't always have this major advantage. Others catch up and develop at different stages. It may be that at 12 years old the player is 6ft tall, but sooner or later their growth will slow, whereas others are still growing. Eventually, these other players will begin to get close to, or catch up with, the previously larger player. What sets the players apart now? Technique! By focusing on the player's technical ability we will always have a clear understanding of their talents. Let's not just think that a player is good because of their size, think of how can we make their footballing skills and abilities better.
BALL MASTERY SKILLS & TECHNIQUES
The Benefits of Focusing on Technique for those of Smaller Stature Keeping the ball at the player's feet is one of the most important aspects of player development. We aim to have all players comfortable on the ball, under different amounts of pressure and space. This is incredibly important for all players, but the benefits of working on the player's close control and technique are huge for those of smaller stature. Development in Spain focuses on this greatly, placing technical ability over the size of the player. Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Lionel Messi (even though he is Argentinian) have all been developed focusing on close control and mastery of the ball. Players of larger size can't get near them. We shouldn't worry that a player is not physically as strong, or as firm in the tackle as others. In our opinion, we should work on the technical. Close control drills, dribbling, turning, and lots of ball mastery, will allow players to be comfortable on the ball in all manner of situations. Eventually, these players who are of slight stature will grow. When they do grow, their technical ability should be much higher than those who have relied on their size. Don't not worry if a player is smaller than others. Compare players through their technical ability.
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The more touches we can get the player to take on the ball, the better. Ball mastery will allow for an increase in technical skills, giving the smaller players confidence in keeping the ball away from others, and the more physical players confidence in moving the ball where they want. During physical development, players will quite often seem less coordinated, slower and with infrequent balance. This is all due to the changes that their body is making. Keeping them focused on the technical side of the game allows for the players to realise their progression, especially if they are feeling less co-ordinated. All in all it just makes for a better standard of footballer as they get older. We can't get complacent and feel that because a player is successful now (largely due to their size) then they will replicate that influence in later years.
We also cannot write a player off if they are small and lack a physical presence. Make sure that we work on their technical ability, giving them the tools to avoid the highly physical scenarios. Over time, all players will benefit from the technical focus, raising the level of their game greatly. Take a look at the next page for our 1200+ touches Ball Mastery training session, perfect for the technical training.
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TO DRIBBLE, OR NOT TO DRIBBLE?
Football has its fashions. At the moment it seems that quick, short, passes, moving the opposition out of position, is the desired way for most teams to play. Due to this, we quite often hear players and parents telling players to 'pass the ball!'. Now, we definitely want players to pass the ball at the right times, but it is incredibly important not to discourage the dribble. It is a part of the game that is very important and it will always have a place within football. I like to have players dribbling with the ball as much as possible, giving them confidence and the practice of being under pressure, while in possession of the ball. Dribblers develop creativity, quick thinking under pressure, and great skill on the ball. Sometimes, though, this can come at a detriment to their awareness. We should improve this awareness through coaching, but not through discouraging the dribble.
There is a tendancy, at the moment, to look at dribbling as a skill that is negative. We can assume that dribbling stops others getting on the ball; and dilutes the teamwork side of the game while creating selfish and individual players. In some cases, this may be true. We might have players who want the glory, who love dribbling around five opponents and then scoring. But, is that a bad thing? In youth football, the priority should be to have the child/player develop as much as possible. The more touches we take on the ball, the better we will become. Therefore, encouraging dribbling actually adds to the player's skill set and provides an exciting dynamic to their game. Possession-based drills are great. We need players to realise how to play in a whole range of situations, but if we are continuously discouraging dribblers, telling them to pass, then are we all not developing players who play in a similar way? Personally, I don't want every player to be like a midfielder. I love to see creators, dribblers, finishers, and also those midfielders who can control the game. Limiting players' touches on the ball, in training sessions and games, limits their learning and development and can make us all possessionbased. Dribbling is something so exciting, getting supporters on their feet, it will soon come back into footballing fashion, but, if we are coaching just passers, will we have the players of the right ability to dribble past their opponent? Personally, I think we should let players dribble as much as they like, especially up until the age of 11, at which age we should be coaching more structured ideas and points. But, the more dribbling we allow, the better players we will develop.
By allowing players to dribble, we are giving players the freedom to express themselves. By doing this we are able to see different characteristics and traits in their game that we may not have seen before, especially if we just focused on a passing style. Personally, I would much rather see young players figure out their own style of play, allowing us as coaches to get an idea of their strengths and what they enjoy. If we dictate a style of play, then we may be limiting their ability. Can we let the children play, encouraging dribblers, creative players and exciting plays. Limiting touches can, in some cases - not all, but in some cause players to miss out on their development. Let them dribble as much as they can, applaud the risk taking in the final third of the pitch and encourage players to take on their opponent. Dribbling, and keeping the ball away from an opponent, is a vital skill that can be quite frequently overlooked. There has been a shift from developing dribblers to developing passers. Let's not focus on one more than the other, but allow players to express themselves. If they want to dribble, we should let them do so. Every player, in our opinion at OpportunityElite, should be able to dribble. You just never know when the defender will need to step out in to midfield, or when the central midfielder will need to drive forward. In the professional game these players will more than likely not do this, but there are occasions where they have to. Letting them dribble from a young age gives the player the confidence to dribble, if and when, they need to, creating a more balanced and technically skilled player. The more that players dribble, the better they will become in their all round game. We love the dribblers; let's continue to develop them!
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Strength & Conditioning With our Strength & Conditioning Coach, George Lyons
This month we take a look at the kettle bell swing, developing core stability and joint extension.
STEP 1
To perform correctly, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, holding the kettle bell in both hands, with the weight hanging between your legs.
STEP 2
We now need to perform the swing portion of the exercise, which we create through our momentum. Bend your knees slightly and flex your hips. In a powerful manner extend your hips, knees, and ankles which will cause the weight to swing forward and upwards.
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER Choose a weight that is not too heavy, or light. You can bend over as much as you like, as long as your spine stays straight. Be aggressive in the extension, the weight doesn't need to move over your head, but the hip extension must be strong enough to move the weight. Ensure your feet are fixed to the floor and you don't lose control of the exercise by coming up on your toes. The exercise works in a pendulum like manner. Be sure to maintain control.
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