Shift the focus from winning to learning

Competitive club play and the need for development of players at a young age.

Day in and day out, the repetitive routine persists within competitive clubs. Players endure endless repetitions of the same drills without grasping the fundamentals, especially the young ones aged 5 to 10. They're thrust into a win-lose dynamic that stifles their growth but, true development hinges on a holistic approach, one that prioritizes teaching the technical, mental, and tactical dimensions of the game. All while being tailored to suit young minds and bodies.

It's crucial to shift the focus from winning to learning, instilling a deep-seated love for the sport. Investing in a comprehensive developmental framework ensures long-term success, nurturing players who understand the essence of the game beyond mere victories. Decision-making and problem-solving skills are paramount, laying the foundation for adept play on the field.

The pressure-cooker environment of competitive play at a young age often leads to burnout, sapping the passion from promising talents. It's advisable to delay entry into this realm until the age of nine, ensuring players are adequately prepared for the rigors ahead.

My advice to many parents, considering the lack of emphasis on development, is to invest in diverse developmental programs or a private trainer who demonstrates consistent progress; it’s critical that young players have a clear progression plan. Moreover, define your desired achievements by a certain age before seeking guidance. I've witnessed several players succeed after taking gap years and rejoining clubs with remarkable improvement, surpassing those who initially had an advantage.

While playing is essential, prioritizing development at a young age means allowing them to participate in open environments, even recreational ones, and gradually move up as their skills set them apart. The transition at this age happens swiftly. However, the issue lies in our insufficient support for them during these crucial developmental stages.

Understanding the evolving needs of adolescent players is key. Each age group demands tailored training methodologies, from fostering creativity and ball control in the early stages, to honing decision-making abilities and tactical acumen as they mature. As players progress into their teens, the emphasis shifts towards refining skills like chipping and long-range passing, while nurturing their soccer IQ through strategic gameplay scenarios.

ADOLESCENTS TRAINING NEEDS

• Ages 8-10: You see that there is individual creativity with some players handling the ball, but you usually don't see this age being creative off the ball.

• Ages 11-13: This age group still needs much 1v1 and 2v1-2 work. Yes, and of course ball control skills.

• Ages 14+: This is a critical divide in skill level. Most 14-year-old athletes are freshmen. At this point, we begin to see division into JV and Varsity levels of play. We also see changes in social expectations of play.

• Ages 15+: Athletes need to be solid with their chipping and long balls. One major weakness in this age group is vision and decision-making. Instead of 1v1 training, these athletes need 4v2, 7v4, and 7V7 experience; higher levels of decision-making should be demonstrated.

As we move into summer, we've refined our focus and programs, staying true to our belief that most programs fail to adequately educate players in the technical, tactical, and mental aspects of the game, hindering their ability to reach their full potential both on and off the field.

We look forward to working with young players to reach their full potential on and off the field.