So why is it not about `winning v’s development`….?
Football (soccer) is a sport.
And sport is by definition: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”
Compete: “strive to win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.”
This means that `wining` (and losing) are intrinsically built into sport and therefore are built in to football (soccer)…you can’t remove it or chose whether or not to have it! It’s not and it can’t be NON-COMPETITIVE! It’s a sport!
It can be child/player centred competition!
If we can accept that ‘wining` is part of the game, then we can stop the debate on if `wining` (especially at the foundation and developmental phase) is a good or bad thing. It’s neither, its simply part of the sport, just like the ball or the goals!
So if it’s not a question of winning v’s development, what is the real question...
All sports need a way to measure the success of the game, so in turn will conclude with a `Result`.
Therefore the real question for us to ask ourselves is `how important is the `result` over player/team development`. This is because, often making choices that better enhance our chances of improving the result of the game will impact on developmental (and learning) opportunities of the players. This is because the two can often be mutually exclusive.
`Result v Development`
This means there are essentially two approaches we could choose to adopt when coaching players. One is `Results focused` or `Short-term’ and the other is `Development focused` or `Long-term’.
What’s the difference between the two approaches;
RESULTS FOCUSED (short term)
· The result of the match is the priority
· Training is focused on how to achieve the best result
· Players only/often play in their `strongest` position and are played to their strengths
· The team plays rigid formations with limited decision making
· The coach gives the players lots of instructions during the game – Don’t, Do, Must, Never, Always
· Players are not encouraged to try things and mistakes are criticised
· Coach leads all team talks and tells the players what they must and must not do
· The Result is the measure of success
· Players are selected first on their physical strengths
· Players are told what they must do and how to do it
DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED (long term)
· The players learning is the priority
· Matches are there to support the training
· Players rotate and play all positions (when the game allows)
· The team plays formations that challenge the players to make more decisions
· The coach provides guidance and asks the players questions at appropriate times during the game
· Creativity and independent decision making is encouraged even if mistakes are made
· Coach encourages the players to lead team talks and share ideas about how they are playing and possible changes
· The players progress (individually and collectively) is the measure of success
· Playe
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Episode 107 - Maximising Coach Delivery, a conversation with Temisan Williams, former academy UEFA A coach and fonder of Excellence Academy
Episode 106 - Designing effective training practices and adapting for winter training, a conversation with Macauley Musgrave coach and owner of The Coaches Zone
Episode 105 - A Look At How Coaching Player Behaviours Can Support Player Development, A conversation with Dan Abrahams, sports psychologist and author
Episode 104 - How Coaching Abroad Has Helped Me Develop, a conversation with Billy Ready, UEFA B coach at PASS Abu Dhabi
Episode 103 - Using Positional Play To Better Understand The Game, a conversation with David Garcia, UEFA Coach, Coach Developer and founder of `It's Just A Sport`
Episode 102 - A look at the importance of Mental Training in athlete development, a conversation with Lindsey Willson founder of Positive Performance Training
Episode 101 - What we might be able to learn as youth football coaches by looking at the adult game, a conversation with Jamie Tompkins, Senior Manager at Brentford FC CST and Ascot United 1st Team Ma
Episode 100 - Facilitating Self Managing Teams, a conversation with Mark Bennett MBE and founder of PDS Coaching
Episode 99 - Reflecting Back on an U14's Season, a conversation with James Brooks, FA Level 2 grassroots and Development Centre Coach
Episode 98 - 10 Things To Consider When Coaching Adolescent Football Players
Episode 97 – Key Coaching Topics for Youth Football Coaches and CPD, a conversation with Ray Power, Academy Manager, Coach Developer and Best Selling Author
Episode 96 - The 3 A's to Maximising Player Game Impact!
Episode 95 - Quality Coaching and Player Engagement, a conversation with Faith Jasper, coach and recreational therapist
Episode 94 - Top Trump Coaching Tips, a Christmas Special!
Episode 93 - Developing Your Coaching Blueprint, a conversation with Jason Carney, UEFA coach and author
Episode 92 - My Coaching Journey, so far!...a conversation with Ali Speechly, UEFA B football coach
Episode 91 - Developing a Team Culture, a conversation with JP Nerbun, coach, author and founder of TOC
Episode 90 - What is Great Coaching?...a conversation with Shane Smith
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