Bill Clinton won the 1992 US Presidential election for a number of reasons, but a key turning point in the campaign was the Democrats phrase “It’s the economy stupid”. Once they woke the American public up to the fact that economy wasn’t that great the rest, as they say, is history. I have just spent the best part of three months conducting evaluations, I have been doing them that long that the other day I managed to select an over 35 men’s team from the line up at Tim Horton’s in Esquimalt! After 10 weeks of assessments I have an answer to the question, what do you look for in a player…Its technique stupid! I am using the work stupid for effect, so please don’t take offence.
Identifying speed and size is easy, but speed and size don’t guarantee anything. We have all seen the big donkey up front who couldn’t hit a barn door and the flying machine out wide that can’t cross a ball. The key ingredient and missing factor in so many players is lack of technique. If a player has poor technique they will never reach their full potential.
We all witnessed a technical master class from Barcelona in the Champions League final against a pretty good Manchester United team and I am hopeful that the one thing we will all take away from the Barcelona experience is that commitment to technical perfection.
Since the final there have been numerous articles that tell us we must copy Barcelona, this isn’t uncommon in soccer. We all want to imitate Brazil and try to play like the Dutch. The issue with trying to copy Barcelona is this, it’s not a style of play it’s a culture. Players in La Masia are schooled in the Barcelona culture, doing the things the right way and with style. As I previously stated, I don’t think you can copy a culture, but you can copy traits of that culture.
When I watch Barcelona play three things are always apparent in their play.
First of all, technical ability of the highest order across the team, they do the simple things perfectly and therefore always have time on the ball regardless of the pressure applied by their opponent.
Secondly, an amazing work ethic and commitment to winning the ball back as soon as possible. It’s not uncommon to see Messi chase the ball across the opponents back four at high speed for 40 metres. The oppositions have no safe space to play into and no area of the field to build in because of this pressure.
Finally: a commitment to team over the individual. Billy Bremner, of Leeds and Scotland, was famously quoted as saying “Team before self every time”. There are many other great things this team does but they are truly a team and this is linked to the work ethic. If a player sees the greatest of his generation, Messi, or Iniesta or Xavi, working overtime to win the ball back then he will be inspired to follow the example. Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney possess similar qualities to Messi but lack his technical ability, Christiano Ronaldo matches Messi in technical ability, in my opinion but he couldn’t play for Barcelona as his ego would not allow him to become part of the collective.
Can we take these three traits, technical excellence, hard work and team work, from the Barcelona culture and apply them to youth soccer in Canada?
There is no reason why not, we just need to raise the bar and educate our players in the art of teamwork and hard work. I am not a big hockey fan, but I know a group of players committed to a cause when I see one. I would like to see the Canucks with the Stanley Cup because it’s clear that they are a group of players that have a deep understanding of what it means to be on a team and the commitment it takes to be the very best. If they manage to win the Cup than we have a great example to show our players that team sport is more about the group than it is the individual, sadly this seems to be something that is lacking in other team sports at the moment.
Barcelona and the Canucks, if successful, are great examples for our players to follow, both are highly skilled team filled with great players who play an exciting brand of their sport. More importantly they are great role models, which as a parent of a young son is a key part of my admiration for both teams.
Now, back to technique, the next Lower Island Soccer Coaches Association meeting will take place on Friday 24th June at Braefoot Turf field month, the topic will be dribbling and basic turns. Our special guest will be Dominic Butcher who will talk about Fundamental Movement Skills, thanks to Lakehill Soccer Association for the use of their field.
I hope to see as many of you as possible and don’t forget to bring your boots.
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