Each year, thousands of talented young soccer players sit the bench because their coaches prefer athleticism over skill. “I would take a great athlete over a skilled
Each year, thousands of talented young soccer players sit the bench because their coaches prefer athleticism over skill. “I would take a great athlete over a skilled player any day,” said a prominent college coach. “I can teach skill, I can’t teach size, speed, or strength.”
But some enthusiasts don’t understand that philosophy.
“That’s the typical American coach mentality,” said Abilo Restrepo, a former Argentine professional whose son was cut from his junior varsity team in Long Island in September. “My son has more skill than most of the guys on the varsity team; he just isn’t as fast and can’t jump as high.
But when they play summer ball he dribbles circles around some of those guys and his passing is really good.”
Many coaches substitute their bench players in at the end of the game, when the result – win or loss - is assured.
“It can be very demeaning to an aspiring young player to sit most of the game and then get their chance in the last few minutes of a blowout,” said Derek McManus, an Albany based sports psychiatrist. “But we see it all the time, especially in high school. The impact of this damages self-esteem, confidence. Teenagers are already self-conscious. If you’re not going to play someone at all the entire season, be honest with them and release them from the team.”
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"If you’re not going to play someone ... be honest with them ..."
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The great coaches find a way to get the most out of a player. Said famous English manager Brian Clough: “I don’t sign players I can’t use. Everyone has a part to play and none of those parts are small.”
How tall was/is Maradonna – George Best – Michael Owen???
There is no substitute for skill; we saw the Brazil v USA woman’s game as saw it there in front of our very eyes.
I was the smallest on the team when I was younger. (Actually come to think about I was ALWAYS the smallest on the team!!!!
Technique, skill and more technique is what we are delivering her using the Coerver method.
I saw a great deal of skills from our smaller players this week end!!!!
- October 15, 2007
