How often do you hear commentators and experts on television remark things like “yeah he’s skilful and creative but not quick enough”, “he’s a good passer but he never scores” or “sure, he’s great in the air but very slow”. When you think about it you will recognize how often these remarks occur. Now, think about when people speak about young players. Have you ever heard similar remarks about 13-year-olds, 17-year-olds or players of even younger ages? I reckon most youth coaches have and that means we have a huge problem on our hands. I believe it’s vitally important to recognize strenghts in young players, because every individual has something they can contribute to the success of a team.
Football is a global game. Most people around the globe would recall having heard names like Real Madrid, Manchester United, David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo. The very top level of football only represents a small fraction of all football being practiced both in organized and unorganized environments every day. While Barcelona and Manchester City can afford to release a 16-year-old centre-back because he is “too slow” or an 18-year-old striker because he doesn’t “score enough goals”, the reality is that a Swedish or Polish third division club can’t. However, some clubs and coaches still do. I can’t even count the times I’ve heard coaches tell me the supposed weaknesses that will hold a player back after I’ve praised them. Or when I’ve suggested players should be getting a chance to train with a first team only to be told they aren’t “tough enough”. This is directly responsible for players quitting football when around 18-20 years of age as they haven’t been given a chance at a higher level or simply because they haven’t felt appreciated as players or even people. Surely this is wrong.
From personal experience, when I was playing I was repeatedly told each season that I was one of the best passers in the team and that I read the game better than the others. Sounds good right? However I got very little playing time because I wasn’t “strong enough” or I supposedly didn’t “run enough”. While I obviously could have improved in these aspects, my weaknesses in the eyes of coaches outweighed the strengths I had in my game. Here lies another important lesson in my opinion, why search for weaknesses and give them more meaning than strengths? Why should the physical attributes of a player be more important than technical or mental? Especially in youth coaching there should be more a case of looking at the technical and mental ability of a player over any physical deficiencies.
The slow centre-back might be a great passer who reads the game perfectly and is never caught out of position. The forward who rarely scores might be a great creator. The quick winger with great stamina and passing ability who can’t dribble might make a superb full-back. One of the worst players in terms of football ability might be a great teammate who is well liked and spreads a positive feeling in the team which is vital to personal and collective growth. If it’s not fun and enjoyable to train, you won’t see the results you want in terms of development.
By recognizing the strengths of your players instead of focusing on their weaknesses, you’ll lift your entire team. No player, no matter their ability, should be overlooked and forgotten. The power of psychology is still underrated in football. Players that enjoy coming to training will play for longer and will become better as individuals.
Even when working with elite players, recognizing the strengths of these individuals and trusting them can make all the difference in the world. Antonio Cassano, the supremely talented attacker with a fragile mentality, once said that he needed to feel loved in order to succeed. The coaches who gave him this love was rewarded with magical performances from a player truly capable of anything. Cassano is just one example, and probably an almost unique case in terms of his fragile mind, but the principle can be seen with almost any player and person. Even outside football, if you feel appreciated and trusted you will likely produce better and enjoy your work whether your a school teacher or a footballer.
When the rest of the world looked at an 18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United they saw a young winger who dribbled at every opportunity and held on to the ball for too long. Sir Alex Ferguson saw a talented individual with the confidence and potential to be one of the best players in the world.
When Diego Simeone arrived at Atlético Madrid most experts in Spanish football saw Gabi as a mediocre midfield player destined for a career in the midtable section of Spain’s top flight. Simeone saw a captain and a midfielder who could be the engine of his quest to resurrect the club from relative mediocrity to the very top of the elite game.
Lionel Messi was already one of the best players in the world upon Pep Guardiola’s arrival as head coach of FC Barcelona but the trust from his coach elevated him to become the best player there ever has been. Louis van Gaal saw an intelligence and maturity in Thomas Müller, when others saw a gangly and unconventional attacker, who thrived under the trust of his coach to become a World Cup winner and an ever-present for his country.
There are countless examples of how the trust and ability to recognize qualities in players over weaknesses has seen players thrive and reach unimaginable heights. Coaches who seek to recognize qualities over weaknesses will create stronger bonds with their players which in turn will see the players doing even more to help the team succeed.
Every player has something to offer. Every player in your squad can contribute with something. Both on the pitch and off the pitch. Football is a game played by a team. Look at your own team. Look at each player. What can they do? What can they offer? Recognize it. Highlight it. Praise it. They will thrive.
In my view, it all comes down to this when working with young players. Be aware of their weaknesses sure, but look for their strengths. Look at players and people to see what they are, not what they are not.
תגובות