By John Cartwright
HEADLINE: ENGLAND’S NEW ELITE.
SUB-TITLES: The ‘Future Game’ document has paved the way.
Our U/17’s are a match for the Spanish.
Brooking insists the latest ‘master- plan’ to emerge from the FA coaching Dept. will have far-reaching effects on the game here with children as young as 5 playing in a style more in keeping with the Spanish, Dutch and German’s. He goes on to say, that “ everything is in place for us to build for the future with the introduction of the ‘Elite Performance Plan’ and that it will revolutionize the game as we know it in this country.”
Brooking’s, confidence seems to be built around the success of the U17’s in the Euro Championship in 2010 where we beat Spain in the final. I was not at this Tournament, but I was briefed by an experienced person who ‘scouts’ for a Premier League club who saw all of the games England played, including the final, and his verdict was, as usual, “we were physically too strong for the opposition.”
The physical qualities for the game have always been a plus for us at junior levels in international tournaments, although for many years even this area of the game has not delivered success. The 2010 squad included some very early developed young players who were playing and able to withstand the physical demands of senior league football. We have always made the mistake of focusing on junior results gained from an over-dependence with physical and not skilful aspects of the game. As players develop beyond junior football it has always been those countries that have persevered with skill development with their players and waited for the physical to occur that have produced better individual players and teams than us.
To remould the playing methodology will require a change in national characteristics and culture both inside and outside of the game at the same time. I wrote an article for this ‘blog’ some months ago with the headline, ‘ Can we change our game’? I believe it is a necessity that we make big changes in the way we teach, play and watch the game. Brooking’s, belief that all will be well and that there will be an ‘explosion’ of talent for the international teams’ within five years, seems to me to be based more on ‘hype’ than actuality. Anyway, why should we simply become ‘imitation foreigners’? We have qualities in our game that are envied by countries abroad, what we should be reviewing is the defects in our game, determine what the game will progress to over the next 20 years and then, with this in mind, ‘poach’ better playing skills and tactics from those in world football able to provide the master-class.
We, on this island, are subjected to weather variations; in one day we can experience all types associated in a year. We have become pessimistic about good weather forecasts and take an umbrella – just in case it rains. We must remember that, ‘one sunny day does not a summer make’ when we talk about football success. Brooking, should be careful and have an umbrella, for ‘one victory does not a vision make!
KEEP THE BALL 
John, where on the net can one read the Brooking Blueprint?
I did not see it on the ‘net’. He did an article in a Newspaper last week.
Hi John
I’m a big fan of your blog and coaching philosophy at premier skills. I would love to read your future game document. Would you be willing to put one together for the readers of this blog?
Look forward to your response. Thanks,
Rowan
Hi Rowan . Rather than make some quick notes on such an important and fundamental requirement for the game and subsequently, for the coaching of it, i think it would be best if PREMIER SKILLS arranged a day or a series of days on which i could discuss the playing vision i think is applicable for this country and then, just as importantly, show the development of the work to acchieve it.
I will speak to Roger and Sam. to see if this can be arranged for early next year. Thanks for your interest. Best wishes for Christmas ans 2012.
From my vantage point seeing youngsters either in the system or who are the edge of it from ages 5-17 I think Brooking’s optimism is misplaced. Yes, there is more emphasis on skill, but the physical side is still predominant. There is so much waste, mainly because the bigger lads with a skills deficit are tossed aside at a later stage whilst the smaller lads lose out earlier only to re-called if they still around.
All that is needed really is less emphasis on matches & more on technical/skill development & dare I say it an out break of deliberate practice. It is not rocket science!
I agree with John Cartwright that we should not become “imitation foreigners” because “we have qualities in our game that are envied by countries abroad” . We should recognise this and work hard to improve the lack of imagination,intelligence and skill without losing sight of our strong points like the ‘never say die attitude’ and determination to win.
When England were humbled by Hungary at Wembley in 1953 by the score of 6-3 it was the first time that we had been beaten on home soil by a foreign team. But astute observers had seen this coming for some time and so were not surprised. I recall some years ago at a coaches gathering, Malcolm Allison explained how he had spent most of his free time when he was doing National Service in Austria just after World War 2 , watching the local teams training and was greatly impressed and realised how different it was to what he was used to as a young player at Charlton Athletic. After he had returned to Charlton, having finished his Service, he was in a team meeting one day, and when the subject came up as to why the results had lately been poor, Allison, the youngest player present, piped up: “it’s because the training is rubbish!” As a result he didn’t last much longer at Charlton, but Allison was destined to make an indelible mark on English football when he became a coach.
The difference between then and now is that, in those days, money was not thrown at the problem as it is now. We didn’t employ a foreign national coach at a salary of £6 million a year. The League was not populated with foreign coaches and star players earning millions. Instead, senior players destined to become coaches like Allison, took it upon themselves to discover the ‘secrets’ of the Hungarians and Brazilians and experimented in their clubs’ training sessions. In 1955 Manchester City won the FA Cup with Don Revie playing in the withdrawn centre forward role as performed by Hungary’s Hidgekuti at Wembley. It was known as the ‘Revie Plan’.
Because of the enthusiasm and dedication of senior players and coaches, English football slowly turned the corner. It was not done by importing foreign talent, either in the form of coaches or players. People in English football gained the knowledge and expertise themselves and, whatever anyone thinks of its merits or otherwise, ultimately won the World Cup in 1966.
Although Trevor Brooking was a player of sublime skill and learnt the game under two of English football’s finest teachers, Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, he was not a coach hmself. When he hung up his boots he chose a media career and became an excellent pundit. But his position now, basically in charge of English coaches, should be filled by someone who has spent many years in coaching at all levels and has the ability to enthuse and educate. In the 1950s and 1960s that person was Walter Winterbottom. We now need someone else to take up that mantle.
I have being giving Steve’s initial ideas some thought, inasmuch, the only technical quality of could think of that the Brits and English speaking ‘copiers’ have as a strength that can be admired by the continentals is basically heading; other aspects are purely mental aspects such as ‘never say die,’ – Oh and of course ‘they must be big! therefore, my conclusion is QUITE A LOT TO IMITATE or at least master I would say.
On the point of taking up the mantle – given that John is probably ruled out; or judging by these blogs has basically ruled himself out in terms of acceptance by the FA —– Who?
Im not sure where the notion that the FA’s changes to the overall football strategy are based on the U17’s winning the Euros 2010.
Thats not the way I see it. I think its more based on the success of international teams like Spain and Germany, who, some time ago, developed and implemented long term strategies and achieved success.
I also havent seen anywhere the FA claiming that it will only take 5 years for results to start showing. We are so far behind with coach education and WAAC culture I believe its a 20 year process at least.
I think Dan’s right – it will be another generation before the expertise of the enlightened English coaches will bear fruit. There are many factors but I think that it will only really happen when we get close to many of these coaches not being directly influenced by England winning the World Cup in 1966. There has to be a purge of the English footballing psyche. Just as Steve Haslam suggested between ’53 and ’66 were pivotal years for the development of the English game – reading that and the Jonathon Wilson book leads me to believe that at least we tried back then to imitate the best, augmented with English fortitude. Problem is, I’ve not seen the groundswell opinion that I read on this site and nobody as angry about it as John Cartwright is to make complete change!
Hi Chris and all those other interested football ‘lovers’ who read and reply to the ‘blogs’. Have a great Chrisrmas and a happy and healthy 2011.
How correct but equally how tragic it is when Brazil94’s comments are so correct when he states our game has little to offer other than Heading. After 60 years of Coaching we are left unskilled and tactically niave. When i wrote the article it was the physical aspects of the game i believed might be transferable into a new playing style. Even with these physical components we need to make better and more refined use of them —- all work and no play makes for bad football ! We have to create a playing style that is achievable, attractive to watch and effective —- the coaches must learn how to teach it; the players must know how to play it: the fans must enjoy watching it………. oh! and there must be someone prepared and capable to create and ‘orchestrate’ it……….’a la RINUS MICHELS’, who started the Barcelona FC Academy 30 years ago. Do we possess a footballing LEONARDO DA VINCI ? I can’t see anyone who has the insight, ability, desire and determination to set our football on a path to greatness. What a bloody disgrace after 60 years of coach education !!
I was not only thinking of physical qualities when I suggested that in England we possess features in our football which we must retain. I realise that I have been taken to task but perhaps I was being over-optimistic. I mentioned the improvement and enlightment which gradually emerged in English football between 1953 and 1966 and I was hoping that perhaps something similar could happen again.But the main problem, as I see it, is that money is far too important and too many players are getting far too much money at far too young an age.
I find it depressing when I read about youth team players having agents before they have got anywhere near the first team and their heads, and those of their parents, have already been turned by thoughts of vast financial reward. I have noticed that, on more than one occasion, older people ‘inside’ the pro game have actually questioned how many players actually love the game! If that is the case then it is an appauling state of affairs. They loved the game when they were children, when they played with their friends and were free to ‘experiment’ and express themselves in carefree matches. It is what happens later that takes the love away and football becomes purely a business, albeit a highly profitable one.
When I was trying to draw a parallel between the 1953 – 1966 era and today, I was not considering that at that time players were paid a pittance and their sole motivation was love of the game. Nothing would stop Ron Greenwood, Malcolm Allison, Don Revie, Don Howe, Dave Sexton, and , of course, John Cartwright, among many others, of increasing their knowledge of the game, at a time when we were just as backward in comparison to the rest of the leading football countries as we are now.
The other day an England international striker, who was injured, went out to do some Christmas shopping when his team’s match was screened ‘live’ on TV. He had been instructed to rest at home, due to his injury, and not
travel to the ground, but he should have been glued to the TV, studying his team, and the opposition, and how they were playing in his absence. He would have done if he really loved the game and had serious long-term plans for his future in the game.
Sometimes, when a match is screened on TV, the camera pans to the substitutes’ bench or onto injured/suspended players sitting in the stands. I notice that the players often do not appear to be studying the match as attentively as they should. I notice that the players in the stand are often on their mobile phones or texting etc. You cannot study the game correctly in that way – have they not been told? The substitutes should be studying the opposition players in
direct opposition to the positions in which they normally play so
that they have observed their strengths and weaknesses before they enter the field. You have to watch the game extremely hard to observe all this. Are the substitutes doing it?
When Solsjkaer was at Manchester United he spent many matches on the subs bench. I have read that he never took his eyes off the field, (except for the periodic warming up, of course), and so when he entered the match he often had a devastating effect. But, also, he used to sit as close to ferguson
(continuation of above post)……..
and his coaching staff as possible because he wanted to hear as much of their comments on the game as possible. From a young age,Solsjkaer was preparing to be a coach and he was dedicating himself to that end. Having hung up his boots, Solsjkaer is now managing Molde in Norway and i have read that he has made a good start, having won the league.
It is pure speculation that he could ultimately be Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford but Solsjkaer should be the rule rather than the exception. The pity also is that he is Norwegian rather than English.
But we do have dedicated,intelligent and enthusiastic young coaches and they freely give their time to put on sessions at coaching
associations. I am thinking of people like Chris Hughton, Ray Lewington, Chris Ramsey, Neil Banfield, and others. It is up to them , and others like them , on whom the future of English football depends.
Education and self improvement is not the viture here (at young ages anyway) that it seems to be on the continent. The general approach seems to be that determination and controlled aggression will get us through. Well, maybe in a like for like contest; but once the opponent has a more thoughtful approach, we come unstuck.
I agree that players should watch the game to self educate – but as a young grassroots player, I didn’t have educated coaches advising me how to get better. Well intentioned volunteesr but without the background to provide meaningful accelerated learning.
You just had to pick it up as you went along.
More coaches now though, even at grassroots, understand more and er exposed to a variety of learning opportunities through discussions such as this.
Coaches now (not enough, but more of them) are seeing the benefit of involving the young player in their own learning and are challenging young players to develop game understanding. As I’ve said before, there is a change coming – but we have to keep on keeping on to get get to the tipping point.
It was interesting when reading the “Future game” that it had lots of commendable views and comments but when I went to the practical content which is always the “acid test”
The first practice for early years was two kids with ball at their feet running round an approximate 10 metre square each starting at an opposite corner chasing each other.
No decision making,no realism,no long term real game retention,they were learning the “running round the square game ” What part of the gamestyle is that?
This comment is more for Roger’s model coach, however; as he has made a comment on the ‘Future Game’ document, which is not downloadable on the web – despite the FAs insistence of its importance! BUT YOU CAN BUY IT!!! Memories of Hughesie! I want to make this point. Roger and John talk about practices having progressions, but surely there comes a point whereby the players are comfortable and understand the concepts of ‘keeping the ball, manipulating the ball, the ball and staying with the ball.’ All tenents of the Practice/Play ‘vision’. And practice this way within ‘their’ group naturally. This is the point when, practice progression structure ( all coaches love this concept cause they are coaching!) can be let a little of the peddle and the players go virtually straight into their game. Within the game, the coach makes his/her points; however, these can be limited, yet ‘tightly focussed’ and so like magic we get STREET FOOTBALL!
In other words, once the building blocks are in place, you don’t need to rebuild – all the time – but polish and maintain – subtly and continually improving the foundations.
I have just replied to a Suggestion from Rowan. Perhaps you could read it and send a REPY to see if this would be a good idea to discuss together at a session(s) arranged by PREMIER SKILLS. Best regards to all …….. John
I’ve looked through ‘The Future Game’ and ca’t see any reference to Heading. Perhaps we’re so good at it because we keep playing the ball in the air that the FA don’t see it’s worth commenting on !!
I would like to register my interest in John Cartwright’s proposal for a day, or days, dedicated to the explanation and description of a playing vision which everyone who is involved in coaching must have. I recently posted, in reply to a blog, the vision which I submitted to the Committee of the Under 13 team which I assist in coaching, but there seems to be some reluctance to put forward my vision to everyone connected to the team – be they players, coaches, helpers or parents. Also, I recently attended a session put on by a senior FA Coach and when I tried to bring up the vital importance of a playing vision he pretty much dismissed my suggestion as trivial and unimportant.
On this point about playing vision – I think Brazil94, in his most recent post, is not entirely seeing the point. In Levels 1 and 2 of Practice/Play there is clear progression in each topic from Small Group Practice to Small Area Practice to Game Practice. The underlying concept of a possession-based game and staying with the ball, (governing the ball), is always there. And Level 1 seamlessly links into Level 2. For instance, in Level 2 there is the topic- Kicking Variations. This is finishing practice. But still the work is presented from the viewpoint of keeping possession, passing/receiving and staying with the ball. So attempts and strikes on goal are the culmination of, say, a 3 v 1 or 4 v 2 situation before the ball is transferred into a forward area for a shot at goal. In other words, the vision is always there of a topic being practiced from a possession-based situation. In my experience this approach to working on finishing is unique. Since time immemorial, finishing practice has involved players being placed in some kind of line to come forward in turn to hit a ball served in in the general direction of a goal.But, as I see it, this is the difference you get when you are working to a playing vision.
Also, there is a very interesting interview with John Cartwright in the latest issue of ‘Ex’. This is a West Ham United retro magazine and you can buy it outside the ground on match days or from the newsagents stall at Upton Park Tube Station. Details also on their web-site: http://www.ex-hammers.com (I think).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone who writes/reads this blog.
I have been following this blog for quite a while now and would love to learn about John’s PREMIER SKILLS practice-play. Having got involved in grassroots coaching rather late in my career, I have only managed to complete my FA Level 1, and FA Youth Modules 1 and 2 and am currently planning to do my Level 2 next year.
However, as a seasoned learning and development professional (day job) I am very open-minded to learning about other coaching methods etc. and am always eager to learn and expand my knowledge of coaching – through observation, reading, discussion. So this sounds like an ideal opportunity (if possible) to find out more about Practice-Play.
In the words of James Dewar, the famous Scottish chemist, “Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open.”
Today i passed my fa level 2 and was extremely pleased to have done so. My assessor also spoke and wrote about routes and progressions from here on youth module 1,2, Uefa B perhaps in 12,18 months from now. Go away and get lots of experience coaching. I have come home to read the blog as i generally do and am left looking at how much a hobby has cost so far and how much it will continue to cost if i choose to keep educating myself with no guarantee of a return on my investment. I realise that to find out if the future game has indications of how we are to train our kids i will have to invest again. A lot of feedback i’m getting indicate that the youth modules are much better and aimed at the age groups i would choose to work with but John makes the point that there is still no game style with the FA we are working towards so in effect we are putting a puzzle together with pieces that may have come from a different puzzle and expecting them to fit at the end what an ugly picture it may paint. I see so much natural talent in my community that it feels a travesty not to give it the best chance possible of fulfilling its potential.. I for one would be definitely interested in Johns blueprint for our game. Please John the groundswell is growing we need your help
To pick up on a couple of aspects of Mr Haslam’s latest comment – and he always has interesting tings to say – I was stating ( and he moved it to shooting!) that whilst progression is important you can pick up on where the players are at – at any given moment. Moreover, once the Practice/Play has been introduced into small-sided work, the coach has the faculty to either return to progressions, or to continue with the small-sided game – even 11 v 11 – if he/she wishes to do so. It is up to the coach. Steve says he has the Barcelona vision in place for his U13s, so this is an opportune time to work on ‘patiently’ keeping the ball in their manner, if so be it; the double-linking of giving it and getting it back in relatively the same space; the playing back to a restarter; his Pique for example. IT IS UP TO THE COACH; rather than slavishly following – a must-do-all-the-time pattern of work. I do feel Steve, you read my comments too literally, instead of the flexibility intended!
This leads into my second point of what a terrible situation you find yourself in, by having to ‘coach by committee’ and this with a specific age group in itself. If I was you find another club where you can do it your way! And not have to pander to vested interests and the nepotism of parents.
Hi Brazil94….. Your latest comments are interesting and provide food for thought. Unfortunately, committees or boards of directors, depending on the level at which you coach, are a fact of football life and are just one of the problems/obstacles which you have to tackle in your coaching life. As I have understood it from what John Cartwright has written and spoken about, the ‘vision’ is something that everyone must buy into who are part of a club or team – be they players, managers, coaches, secretaries, parents, volunteers, or whatever. With a vision you have a destination and you know where you are heading. You have EVERYONE on board and I think that is vitally important. A team comprises more than just the players. I do not consider that i have to ‘coach by committee’ but that I ‘coach by everyone’.
The main problem at the moment with this particular team is that the powers that be consider that we are, or should aspire to be, a ‘passing team’. I don’t like that because it misses the essential starting feature of the Practice/Play methodology of ‘staying with the ball’. That is why I have put in my proposed vision, which I quoted in a previous post, that we should be a ‘possession-based team’.
Hi Robbiewiz….Congratulations on passing the FA Level 2. Regarding your thoughts on what course to embark on next, I fully understand the confusion which you feel. There seems to be no pattern to the progression from one level to the next and i feel that this has become even worse with the intoduction of the FA Youth Award modules.I have done the 3 modules and especially with module 3 there seems to be a conflict with the methodology which you work on, especially at FA Level 3. At this level you have to show real awareness of what is going wrong in a particular topic and correct it at just the right moment by painting the picture exactly how it should be. But when you are coaching a topic at module 3 of the Youth Award they do not want you to stop the practice too much, because this would affect the flow and be irritating for the players. But this is a big culture shock when you have been doing the traditional FA Courses and the interventions are what you pass or fail on.
Having said that, I thought that the actual coaching practices, and coaching sequence of whole,part, whole, on module 3, were extremely good and much better than the Phase of Play, Functional Practices, and Small Sided Games, of Level 3.
So it would probably be a good idea to start the Youth Modules but, best of all, to go further with the Practice/Play courses. These fit together so well and therefore link together so much better than the FA courses.
Hi Steve …. I think the problem exists even further down the current FA coaching pathway i.e. Level 1 and the Youth Modules – having been a teacher/tutor/trainer and course designer over the years a lot of what is taught in the Youth Modules (at least what I have experienced in Module 1 and 2) and not to put too fine a point on it – is common sense e.g. focus on how kids/folk learn best etc.
For folk like me, the FA put the Level 2 award as a requirement before you can complete Module 3 of the Youth Award. Granted I understand the reasons as was explained to me by no other than Nick Levett at the FA last year, but if you tried to implement a similar change/restriction in a commercial training environment without a fundamental review/overhaul of the entire coaching pathway (i.e. the elements for grassroots in particular), you would probably lose both your credibility as well as your business!
Then alongside that you have the Practice-Play methodology/philosophy which I hear so many positive things about. Why can’t all of this be integrated in some way, as e.g. a ‘pick and mix type’ curriculum, that might go some way in producing a world-class 21st century age-appropriate coaching methodology/style/philosophy for the kids of today. It’s a fantastic opportunity for a potential “marriage” of all of the best of what’s out there in my view – to quote George Bernard Shaw “Marriage is popular because it combines the maximum of temptation with the maximum of opportunity”
I think everyone might appreciate and find some resonance with this… regards to Stephen Sondheim and check Streisand singing this on youtube…
Putting it Together
“Art is easy,
Even when you’re hot
Advancing art is easy
Financing it is not.
A vision’s just a vision if it’s only in your head…
If no one gets to hear it, it’s as good as dead.
It has to come to life
Bit by bit, putting it together…
Piece by piece, only way to
make a work of art.
Every moment makes a
contribution,
Every little detail plays a part.
having just the vision’s no solution,
Everything depends on execution,
Putting it together, that’s what
counts.
Ounce by ounce, putting
it together:
Small amounts, adding up to
make a work of art.
First of all, you need a good
foundation,
Otherwise it’s risky from
the start.
Takes a little cocktail
conversation
But without the proper preparation,
Having just the vision’s no
solution,
Everything depends on
execution…
Learning how to play the
politician
Like you play piano, bass and drums.
Otherwise, you’ll find your
composition
Isn’t gonna get much exhibition.
Art isn’t easy,
Every minor detail is a major
decision.
Have to keep things in scale,
Have to hold to your vision………. “
First line should read – ART ISN’T EASY
Streisand’s a great artist in many dimensions of show-biz . The song you bring to our attention is perfect for the point(s) you are making. Football isn’t easy and it needs careful and progressive attention to detail to create the playing artists we all want to see. ……………Work conscientously towards a playing vision…………….. Construct the pathway to it………………be prepared to make adjustments on the journey……………..develop the: coaches-players-fans who are respectful towards the world’s greatest game and not destroyers of it.
STREISAND COULD BE SINGING ABOUT FC BARCELONA !!
John you are too modest I quoted this song as I was thinking about the direction you want to take English football
Hi Gary…Your thoughts on Modules 1 and 2 of the FA Youth Award are the same as mine – they are basically common sense and do not provide the vision required by everyone who coaches at all levels. As i said before, Module 3 is of far more value and involves actual coaching. Someone like yourself, who has not yet obtained Level 2, ought to be able to do that module. I hope that you are able to do a Practice/Play course in the near future. I think that you will be impressed with the the technical content right from the start of Level 1.
Brazil94…..when you start quoting sheets of music you are going a bit ‘above my head’ but I suppose, to the more initiated, it must mean something. However, when I read biographies of war-time Generals, like Patton,Montgomery, Rommel, etc. I see parallels with managing/coaching in football. These military leaders all have similar characteristics – they always valued, above all else, the heroic contributions of their men and, if at all possible, exposed them to the least dangerous alternative as possible, if more than one existed. Also, their battle plans invariably centred around gaining and keeping the initiative. In addition, hitting the enemy with quick and surprise counter attacks, and often with the mind-set of attack being the best form of defence. This reflects the approach of many of the top coaches/managers in football and it is remarkable how often you see this when studying and researching warfare. If you go back through the archives of this blog you will see that John Cartwright wrote pieces in which he related football to military warfare.
Steve, did you read the song?
Hi to Brazil94 and to my old friend Steve. I really enjoy your comments on the game that you make. You are truly both interested and concerned followers of the game and, like myself, use various ways to describe the game and aspects of it. The song by Stresand and the military references of the Generals, bring colour and variation to the thought we give to the game.
I wish we could see players perform with as much thought and colour in the game today. Perhaps then, we might go ‘top of the Hit Parade’ or gather the reputation as ‘unbeatable in battle’
I am waiting for Roger and Sam to return from their Christmas break to see if it is possible to put on a session(s) on the playing vision Practice-Playing has created and towards which the programs are constructed. I believe all will see where we are aiming and how we are going to get there……. Streisand and Monty will be there in spirit if not in person !!
Happy New Year John.
Having a clear and consistent vision is key – knowing where you are heading; knowing what success is and the criteria along the way on which you will be judged; knowing the route you will take to achieve your objectives. This is what I trot out when asked to manage a project when I wear my project manager hat – but equally it can be applied to football etc. It’s so simple yet frequently missed.
I am really looking forward to learning more about “he playing vision Practice-Playing has created and towards which the programs are constructed” in 2012.