I remember my school days with real clarity, not the lessons or the teachers but the almost daily PE lessons and the fantastic playground football which we played at every opportunity! Those were the good old days.
Now I am a coach and PE teacher I really hope that in ten or twenty years time the players and children that I come into contact with can look back and remember the sessions/lessons with fond memories.
In an age where so much emphasis is placed on physical capabilities and the art of tackling seems to be lost, Bobby Moore reminds us that defending like all aspects of the game is a skill! Despite lacking pace his awareness and anticipation more than made up for it. With the likes of David Luiz commanding transfers fees in the 20`s of millions it makes you wonder how much a defender that had mastered the art of tackling would go for today?????
How much of what we see of LIONEL MESSI on the football ground can be associated with coaching? Is ‘star’ quality something that is teachable? I don’t believe that production-line coaching methods can produce ‘Ferrari-type footballers’. Coaching, especially in the UK, has a history of providing ‘commercial vehicles’ for ‘Grand-Prix’ events. I fervently believe, however, that playing standards can be dramatically improved and ‘stardom’ can be produced far more for the game than in the past as long as the work that is applied from ‘cradle to professional, public exposure’ is correctly designed for purpose – to produce ‘great footballers’.
The outstanding player in the premier league this season, David Silva`s ability to twist, turn and roll off defenders is a joy to watch. He combines his comfort staying with the ball with strength and awareness. Enjoy this clip of the little magician.
By Sam Wilkinson
I was recently watching an academy match with a former professional player who is now a coach. During the match he made an observation about the full back for the defending team not reading that a long pass was about to be played in behind him even though it was obvious through the player in possessions body shape and movement that the long pass was coming. As a former full back he spoke about always reading and anticipating whether the ball was going in behind or to feet in order to make sure he was a step ahead of his opposing winger. This got me thinking about the anticipatory skills and heightened sense of awareness that great players all seem to have. The set of skills that are akin to a “street wise” hustler – the ability to never be duped and to always be one step ahead of those around you. How are these skills of craftiness learnt? And are we producing “street wise” players?
The Rebound Box`s are a great tool for players to do extra training with. Below are some training ideas using the Rebound Box. The footage was taken from the recent Premier Skill`s Professional Opportunities Course in New Zealand.
LIONEL MESSI, has just received, for the third consecutive year, FIFA’s Player of the Year Award – and he thoroughly deserves every one of them. Along with MESSI, in the Barcelona team, there are several other players, such as XAVI, INIESTA, ALVES etc. who are also star players and equally deserve praise for their outstanding playing qualities. Also, on the sideline, PEP. GUARDIOLA, has received the FIFA, coach of the Year Award. Once again, nobody should be surprised considering the success he has had over the past few years; he has developed and nurtured a brilliant football team that is a joy to watch.
Some great clips of the master.
By John Cartwright
We all enthuse over the playing quality of Barcelona FC and of the ability of the individuals within the team. Throughout they have produced or purchased players who possess high individual skills and have moulded individualism with the team-play requirements of the club. The skill(s) of passing the ball provides the ‘cement’ for team possession; the ability to move the ball accurately, purposefully and effectively between players provides the core for success.
