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    ENGLAND OR SPAIN, HAS THE BEST YOUTH COACHES

    ENGLAND OR SPAIN, HAVE THE BEST YOUTH COACHES

    Culture & Mentality: How important is it to football development?


    England or Spain, has the best youth coaches has been donated by qualified Football Coach Matthew Kirckwood, from elite academy soccer coaching. We thank Matthew and recommend his coaching and website.

    Football is changing. The day's of tall, strong players who could ping a ball 60 yards are long gone. The game is welcoming a new breed of player. A player who is clever, quick, agile, skilful and confident. However most people will look at coaching techniques as to why the players are like this (or not) however I have a different opinion on this. I believe a Countries culture plays a vital role in how a footballer develops. I agree that the correct coaching will develop players, but this is not enough.

    In England, we have this mentality that we are brave and strong. As Rule Britannia goes 'Britons, never never never shall be slaves'.It's a mentality that has harmed football development since the game began. This mentality has been taken onto a football pitch, and coaches have told players from a young age, 'win the first tackle, go in hard, win those 50/50's' so when these players grow up, and themselves coach, they preach the same words to the next generation. It's a vicious cycle - and one we must break.

    This is the reason why I feel that a Countries culture has a huge impact on a child's development as a footballer. In England, the culture, not just in Football, is to be the best at everything, to win at all costs, and to be arrogant.Does anybody else get the feeling that this culture has been taken onto the pitch?


    Last year, I spent a week coaching Football in Spain, and witness a coaching session from a amateur academy club. For those who don't know how Spain's youth footballing system works, teams who are amateur can still play Barcelona, Madrid, Seville if they are good enough. This particular session, the pitch was split up into four area, with groups no bigger than 6 or 7. All four coaches worked on technical development, quick feet, and movement with the ball. This however wasn't surprising to me. We all know that's what coaches preach there. What was amazing however, was the humility and respect the players gave the coach. These players were 5 and 6 years old. They all wore matching training kits, which was immaculate and clean. Parents never shouted, and clapped the players at the end of the training session.

    The Spanish culture has allowed players to develop both technically and mentally. Could you see this happening in England?


    Another example of how the English culture is stopping youth development is the respect players show to officials, and the other players. I watch many teams, both academy standard and amateur level and it has to be said, that the respect players show to each other is terrible. Again, the English mentality is that 'we are not allowed to like you, respect you and we must do everything to make you feel unworthy'.

    Is this really what we want? Why can't players respect each other and applaud great play, great movement, great goals?


    In a recent interview, Xavi of Barcelona explained that the reason the English are lacking is down to youth development and the level of respect players show to officials, teams and players. He went onto say that in Spain, if the coach witness a player showing any form of dissent to whoever, he would pull him straight off!

    I hope this article has been useful. I feel that the English culture is stopping our players from developing. Coaches up and down the Country are doing an amazing job with bringing in new fresh ideas, but until the English culture and mentality changes, then we are just not going to develop.

    Thanks for reading.
     

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