Player development is a hot topic in soccer today. Soccer-- Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success contains my "secrets" for developing players, supported by objective successes, coaching honors, team and player achievements and credible anecdotes from a variety of coaches, players and parents.
As the book has already received excellent reviews and has been targeted for a second print, I have been consulted about the topic and asked to write various articles on the specific topic of player development. Thus, being an "expert" in the field, I have a sound understanding of what player development entails, and I have made it a mission to share knowledge since it ultimately helps all of us, especially the ones who matter most in this game-- the players.
Perhaps I will share a recent article in a future blog post. However, I would love to hear from coaches on what they believe player development is, as there seem to be so many interpretations and misconceptions. It is good to voice one's own opinions and listen to the thoughts of other successful people in the game-- after all, it is professional growth that we all seek if we are truly committed to player development.
Here are a few questions as "food for thought," but feel free to add your own directions for the better of the discussion:
(1) Can emphases on winning and player development co-exist or are they mutually exclusive?
(2) Is player development the same at whatever age, gender, level one coaches at?
(3) Are the four pillars of technical, tactical, physical and psycho-social skills the defining characteristics of player development?
(4) How do you know player development has occurred? Is it measured subjectively and/or objectively?
(5) Who decides if player development is progressing appropriately?
Enough questions for now-- give it a try, and enjoy! Be sure to grab a copy of Soccer-- Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success (see information on previous posts). Thank you!
As the book has already received excellent reviews and has been targeted for a second print, I have been consulted about the topic and asked to write various articles on the specific topic of player development. Thus, being an "expert" in the field, I have a sound understanding of what player development entails, and I have made it a mission to share knowledge since it ultimately helps all of us, especially the ones who matter most in this game-- the players.
Perhaps I will share a recent article in a future blog post. However, I would love to hear from coaches on what they believe player development is, as there seem to be so many interpretations and misconceptions. It is good to voice one's own opinions and listen to the thoughts of other successful people in the game-- after all, it is professional growth that we all seek if we are truly committed to player development.
Here are a few questions as "food for thought," but feel free to add your own directions for the better of the discussion:
(1) Can emphases on winning and player development co-exist or are they mutually exclusive?
(2) Is player development the same at whatever age, gender, level one coaches at?
(3) Are the four pillars of technical, tactical, physical and psycho-social skills the defining characteristics of player development?
(4) How do you know player development has occurred? Is it measured subjectively and/or objectively?
(5) Who decides if player development is progressing appropriately?
Enough questions for now-- give it a try, and enjoy! Be sure to grab a copy of Soccer-- Strategies for Sustained Coaching Success (see information on previous posts). Thank you!
