I firmly believe that technical ability is the foundation of all sports. I believe too many programs are focused on winning at the expense of player development. I would like to supplement the local clubs and high schools by focusing on the player's technical development. This will allow the clubs and high schools to continue focusing on tactical game plans to build winning programs. I have built my philosophy by studying the philosophy of La Masia (Barcelon's Youth Academy). See the quotes below to better understand my focus on technical development.
Philosophy at La Masia (Barcelona's Youth Academy)
AT THE AGE OF EIGHT, SAYS CAPELLAS, THE COACHING EMPHASIS IS BOTH ON MASTERING CONTROL OF THE BALL AND THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TACTICS.
WITH THE VERY SMALL BOYS, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO CONTROL THE BALL VERY WELL, TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO RUN WITH THE BALL AND TO THINK VERY QUICKLY AND EXECUTE THEIR PASSES VERY WELL. WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON PASSING AND ON TACTICS, TO UNDERSTAND OUR STYLE OF PLAY, WHICH IS THE SAME FROM THE EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS TO THE FIRST TEAM.
Philosophy at La Masia (Barcelona's Youth Academy)
SIZE IS NOT IMPORTANT,' SAYS CAPELLAS. 'MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THE PLAYER HAS TALENT, THAT THEY CAN PLAY WITH THE BALL, NOT THAT THEY ARE THE STRONGEST OR TALLEST.
FROM THE AGE OF SEVEN TO THE AGE OF 15 EVERYTHING IS ABOUT WORKING WITH THE FOOTBALL
Philosophy at La Masia (Barcelona's Youth Academy)
THE PHYSICAL ASPECT IS NOT SO IMPORTANT COMPARED WITH THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS, TO PLAY THE GAME FAST, WITH GOOD TECHNIQUE AND CAPACITY FOR ANTICIPATION
Philosophy at La Masia (Barcelona's Youth Academy)
AT MANY CLUBS, THE YOUTH TRAINING WILL START WITH THE PHYSICAL, THE DEVELOPMENT OF POWER AND STAMINA, FOLLOWED BY THE TACTICAL AND THEN THE TECHNICAL. AT BARCELONA, IT IS QUITE THE REVERSE. ALMOST EVERYTHING WILL FOCUS ON TECHNIQUE TO START WITH, TACTICS FOLLOW SOON AFTER. ONLY AT 15 OR 16 WILL THERE BE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON PHYSIQUE, STAMINA, AND POWER.
Philosophy at La Masia (Barcelona's Youth Academy)
IN BARCELONA THERE ARE MANY CONCEPTS WE DISCUSS AT TRAINING SESSIONS. ‘KEEP YOUR HEAD UP’ IS ONE. THE BALL IS AT YOUR FEET, BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH. ANOTHER SAYING IS ‘LOOK BEFORE YOU RECEIVE THE BALL.’ THAT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT ONE FOR SHAPING YOUR STANCE TO CONTROL FIRST TIME AND THEN KNOWING WHAT MOVE YOU HAVE TO MAKE TO RELEASE THE BALL QUICKLY TO THE NEXT GUY.