Read on Twitter
5 myths of soccer development
I know these concepts are counterintuitive. But the ten year old with the ball under his arm is my guide--they want to be the best.
We can see what is being developed in play and compare it to the club players and systems and their development.
I know these concepts are counterintuitive. But the ten year old with the ball under his arm is my guide--they want to be the best.
We can see what is being developed in play and compare it to the club players and systems and their development.
1) Best players + best players + best coaches + best competition = Best Development
When young (before Peak Height Velocity) the optimal environment is random, play the more varied and mindless the better https://www.joyofthepeople.org/single-post/2018/02/13/the-revolution-will-not-hold-tryouts
When young (before Peak Height Velocity) the optimal environment is random, play the more varied and mindless the better https://www.joyofthepeople.org/single-post/2018/02/13/the-revolution-will-not-hold-tryouts
2) The coach knows what "best" is
Coaches do no know what "best" is because it doesn't exist except in hindsight. They can guess (and usually do) at what will work, but development is an algorithmic process of adaptation through a complex fitness landscape
Coaches do no know what "best" is because it doesn't exist except in hindsight. They can guess (and usually do) at what will work, but development is an algorithmic process of adaptation through a complex fitness landscape
...better to not guess, but explore
Remember Orgels 2nd law: "evolution is cleverer than you are"
(that includes the coaches)
3) Quality over Quantity.
Because we don't know quality until Monday morning, only quantity matters.
Low level, fun only, varied, random, repeated
Remember Orgels 2nd law: "evolution is cleverer than you are"
(that includes the coaches)
3) Quality over Quantity.
Because we don't know quality until Monday morning, only quantity matters.
Low level, fun only, varied, random, repeated
4) Play is ok for the coddled Rec kids where everyone gets a medal, but those kids will never develop a winning mentality.
If we want to get great at something (let's say competitive toughness) you are best served to play at it first before you work at it later
If we want to get great at something (let's say competitive toughness) you are best served to play at it first before you work at it later
Kids who play have a deeper, more nuanced relationship with competition
The science behinds this back it up. Skills learned in play are less susceptible to competitive pressure. They can apply their skills when it matters most.
This is why every great player grew up in play
The science behinds this back it up. Skills learned in play are less susceptible to competitive pressure. They can apply their skills when it matters most.
This is why every great player grew up in play
5) If I just let my kid play with his friends he will fall behind and be left back
Initially yes, but while the others will climb and get stuck on a sub-optimal peak, your child will explore- slower at first and set out for a much higher mountain, maybe the highest in the world.
Initially yes, but while the others will climb and get stuck on a sub-optimal peak, your child will explore- slower at first and set out for a much higher mountain, maybe the highest in the world.
