Developing Your Potential

Most players and parents are not aware of those things that coaches look for at the next level, and as a result, focus on what they feel is important at the time, like winning and getting playing time. For our purpose let’s say the “next level” is the next progression in the player’s career. This may be making the high school varsity, the next level in the Olympic development program, getting selected by the college of your choice, or the next age group in the travel program. Far too often the desire to get to the next level is clouded by the immediate result. Winning a game or tournament is an outcome goal we can’t control because of the many variables. What we can control is the progression and monitoring of our individual soccer education. What sets us apart from other coaches is that we have the welfare of the player in mind above all else. We are looking at the long term development of the individual, team, and the coaches. Of course inning is important , but not at the expense of these people. If we continually address technical training, the tactical elements, physical and psychological ideals, provide good solid role models, and leave our players with a life-long passion for the sport of soccer, we are succeeding in our goals. A coach is that person who is a fiend, who sometimes reminds you of those things you already know. They also have the ability to spot the minor things in your game which make a major difference in the way you perform. My definition of a good coach is that man or woman who prepares their players to have success at the next level. There are six areas in developing your players, and you need to develop one trait in those six areas for the player to be noticed on the field.
· Athletic ability- to have one outstanding attribute to be noticed. Pure speed is the most obvious, however, you don’t choose your parents. Speed can be developed to a small degree. Strength, power, flexibility, quickness, lateral mobility, and endurance are a few examples of athletic ability. Maybe you have the ability to jump high and win crucial head balls, or accelerate by pushing the ball past a defender, or , maybe, as a defender, you tackle harder than anyone else. Determine your outstanding athletic ability and work to make it even stronger.
· Technical ability- This is mastery with the ball. Do you have a technique that when you have the ball everyone is waiting to see what happens, and they get excited because not many players can do what you can with the ball. As an example, a forward, who not only scores goals, but can hold the ball in the attacking third of the field. When you determine what the skill is continue to get it even better.

In the next blog, I’ll continue with the six areas of development and a summary of food for thought.