The last blog gave an example of the value of small number practices and the possible returns from these when carefully crafted and delivered. These small practices will also help the coach develop their observation skills leading to a much greater accuracy and confidence when noticing the small technical details in a game.
We want our youngest players to be fearless in possession and creative in their play but this is a very difficult thing to achieve, particularly in the short time many grassroots coaches have in contact with their players, but we have to start somewhere and increasing the number of repetitions of things that are similar but never the same is such a good starting point.
The priority for development in the Foundation Phase must be the individual. We have the opportunity to equip each player with a range of skills and abilities in all corners of development and we must not let them down. Including a wide range of experiences playing in small number games and encouraging greater freedom in their decision making may lead to improvements in creativity and confidence on the ball. Only by immersing the players in this kind of environment will they be able to improve mastery over the ball, their body and ultimately the decisions that they make. It is not a time for team tactics, set positions and formations – these are important, but it MUST come later.
If each player is comfortable in possession this leads to a growing confidence in the touch and feel they have for the ball and this then allows more time for scanning and an appreciation of the situation each player finds themselves in. This is what happens when you prioritise individual technique. If you want to create more space in the brain for decision making then individual technical actions need to become automatic.
If a player no longer has to look down to focus upon the ball and where it is in relation to their feet then their head can come up. This opens up endless possibilities for seeing spaces, supporting teammates and the positioning of opponents. This kind of information has got to improve the decisions being made.
There will never be a quick fix. That is why it is called “Long Term Player Development (LTPD) or Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD). If coaches want to rush the process of developing young players then they probably will despite the growing evidence to slow down the rush to 11v11 and help each player master the ball and their movements. I want to present a watertight case urging coaches to prioritise different things to those that have left our players lacking individual brilliance (on a global scale) settling instead for players who are “OK” technically when with just a few changes they could have been so much better.
Through our Forum we can offer the kind of help, support and guidance so that you feel confident to develop your players in this way. Pete