Reader,
Over the years at PDP we’ve often talked about ‘redefining success’ in player development. For me, there are a multitude of factors which define success in youth football, but three that stand out are…
However, one of the things I see constantly is an emphasis from adults purely on the scoreboard. This creates a narrative that the only metric we define our performance by is the win, draw or loss.
When I was working at Brentford’s academy, we had three definitions of game day success.
- Did we dominate possession? (Playing style)
- Did we have the best player on the park? (Individuals & recruitment)
- Did we win the game? (Result)
If we achieved two out of three, that would be seen as success on game day, but more so, the true measure was how many individuals we supported through the system.
Several years later, there are dozens of players successfully playing as scholars or professionals in England who emerged through what was a highly regarded programme delivered by a diverse, high quality group of coaches.
I share this because this was a professional academy environment where the result was not the be all and end all but developing players was the focus.
Yet, every week in community, grassroots or school football, I continue to see styles of play which show that the win is all we care about. Players kicking the ball out, parents telling players to “pass it”, coaches telling players to “get off the ball”. This creates a story of fear, a story that by staying on the ball, retaining possession, taking risks, that we could lose a game.
But the reality is, if we don’t encourage kids to do this, it’s an even greater loss to their development.
They lose because if players aren’t encouraged to be brave, they will never have to solve the problem of retaining the ball under pressure, finding a way out of trouble and perhaps, never meet their potential.
Like the title of John Cartwright’s famed book, ‘Football for the Brave’, if we adopt this approach, what is the worst case scenario? We concede a goal in a game of kids football.
When interviewing Everton’s Player Development Lead, Dan Micciche many years ago, he spoke about his policy as England U16s coach of “regaining and retaining” the ball – a clear principle which put development first and something I would encourage coaches to implement.
Two things to consider.
- Avoid telling players the answer to a problem on game day. Let them find a way out.
- Do you incorporate 1v1 practices into your sessions every week to develop the ‘independent player’?
Two thing for you to try this week.
- Observe the adults at your game whether it’s coaches or parents. Watch and listen as to what the story that’s being told by sideline behaviour is and how this could affect the players.
- Note down how many times your team kick the ball out vs regain it and retain it at your next fixture
One critical resource on the topic.
Check out our library of content on 1v1s to help your players stay on the ball.
