From the Evansville Courier Press, January 30, 2011
The formula for developing soccer players shouldn't be like trying to solve the Rubik's cube — it shouldn't be a series of twisting, turning and guessing.
There is one club in the world that churns out world-class players more than any other. Barcelona FC developed the top three finishers for the 2010 FIFA World Player of the Year —Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi. All three joined the club before the age of 13, and all possessed some similar characteristics.
Albert Benaiges is the coordinator of Barcelona's youth program which not only oversaw the development of Messi, but also for seven players who led Spain to its FIFA World Cup title.
"The most important aspect of our program is always ball work," Benaiges told Germany's Kicker Magazine. "In all the exercises they do, whether it's physical preparation or any other kind of training, the ball is always there."
When asked about training, Benaiges responded "Only technique and tactics, not fitness, which they can catch up on later."
Benaiges referenced that technical skills can be taught and improved when players are young.
"Technical skills we can improve up till the age of 13," Benaiges says. "But every pro was born a soccer player. Instinct and game intelligence we can't create. Both of those come within."
Claudio Reyna was hired recently by U.S. Soccer to be our nation's Youth Technical Director. His first formal address came at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago, when he introduced a new U.S. Soccer curriculum geared toward a specific style of fluid, fast play. His challenge is to develop a level of buy-in from the coaches on a few basic principles in hopes of being able to replicate some of Barcelona's success.
Beau Dure, the author of "Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer," wrote recently about three potential problems that Reyna faces:
1. Overdribbling: Reyna repeatedly used this word to warn against holding the ball too long, saying that's simply not what works among elite clubs. Some coaches seemed skeptical, but I believe this is a massive component of Barcelona teams' success. Their players receive a heavy concentration of technical skills at an early age, but they learn not only how to dribble, but why and when to dribble. Like Xavi or Inesta, Reyna wants players to learn how to pass tout of trouble, rather than put their head down and try to dribble out of pressure.
2. Winning vs. development: Wake Forest coach Jay Vidovich lectured on "Playing to Develop vs. Playing to Win."
There is absolutely a time when players should learnhow to win but not before they learn how to play. I can understand if a coach's livelihood is based on results at the professional, collegiate and the most elite of youth levels. But for a coach of players 13 and under, the emphasis should be just as much if not more about how to play as well as learning how to win. Learning from making mistakes — as well as being encouraged to not be afraid to make mistakes, is key in development.
3. Too many paths to the top: Young players are constantly being pulled between competing clubs with different approaches.Club coaches may want to keep them away from high school games. Especially for younger age groups, the more opportunities a player has to play, the better. Players shouldn't be discouraged from playing with different teams, but rather be encouraged to learn from different coaches with different styles, playing in different roles and positions.
Benaiges says that Messi, during one year, played for teams at five different levels within the club — and never complained whether it was the A team or C team.
It is impossible to predict which players will make it as professionals at an early age, but it is critical that coaches at those age groups create an environment that encourages players to play the game the right way.
After all, even Benaiges said you couldn't predict the success of the likes of Messi at that age.
There is one club in the world that churns out world-class players more than any other. Barcelona FC developed the top three finishers for the 2010 FIFA World Player of the Year —Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi. All three joined the club before the age of 13, and all possessed some similar characteristics.
Albert Benaiges is the coordinator of Barcelona's youth program which not only oversaw the development of Messi, but also for seven players who led Spain to its FIFA World Cup title.
"The most important aspect of our program is always ball work," Benaiges told Germany's Kicker Magazine. "In all the exercises they do, whether it's physical preparation or any other kind of training, the ball is always there."
When asked about training, Benaiges responded "Only technique and tactics, not fitness, which they can catch up on later."
Benaiges referenced that technical skills can be taught and improved when players are young.
"Technical skills we can improve up till the age of 13," Benaiges says. "But every pro was born a soccer player. Instinct and game intelligence we can't create. Both of those come within."
Claudio Reyna was hired recently by U.S. Soccer to be our nation's Youth Technical Director. His first formal address came at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago, when he introduced a new U.S. Soccer curriculum geared toward a specific style of fluid, fast play. His challenge is to develop a level of buy-in from the coaches on a few basic principles in hopes of being able to replicate some of Barcelona's success.
Beau Dure, the author of "Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer," wrote recently about three potential problems that Reyna faces:
1. Overdribbling: Reyna repeatedly used this word to warn against holding the ball too long, saying that's simply not what works among elite clubs. Some coaches seemed skeptical, but I believe this is a massive component of Barcelona teams' success. Their players receive a heavy concentration of technical skills at an early age, but they learn not only how to dribble, but why and when to dribble. Like Xavi or Inesta, Reyna wants players to learn how to pass tout of trouble, rather than put their head down and try to dribble out of pressure.
2. Winning vs. development: Wake Forest coach Jay Vidovich lectured on "Playing to Develop vs. Playing to Win."
There is absolutely a time when players should learnhow to win but not before they learn how to play. I can understand if a coach's livelihood is based on results at the professional, collegiate and the most elite of youth levels. But for a coach of players 13 and under, the emphasis should be just as much if not more about how to play as well as learning how to win. Learning from making mistakes — as well as being encouraged to not be afraid to make mistakes, is key in development.
3. Too many paths to the top: Young players are constantly being pulled between competing clubs with different approaches.Club coaches may want to keep them away from high school games. Especially for younger age groups, the more opportunities a player has to play, the better. Players shouldn't be discouraged from playing with different teams, but rather be encouraged to learn from different coaches with different styles, playing in different roles and positions.
Benaiges says that Messi, during one year, played for teams at five different levels within the club — and never complained whether it was the A team or C team.
It is impossible to predict which players will make it as professionals at an early age, but it is critical that coaches at those age groups create an environment that encourages players to play the game the right way.
After all, even Benaiges said you couldn't predict the success of the likes of Messi at that age.
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