TV and junior soccer player development
December 30, 2009 by admin
Author: Fernando Solis
Can watching TV be a benefit for the development of a young player? Surely its all about dragging our kids from TV sets and getting them outside to play and keep active. Child obesity is becoming a serious national problem, and as fitness professional Im 100% in favor of kids getting back into local parks and chasing a ball around.
So let me explain what I mean from a soccer coaching point of view.
I notice that many players have deficiencies in basic skill execution, tactical awareness and comprehending concepts of the game. As a coach its my job to teach junior and youth players these facets of the game and I use every possible learning tool and method at my disposal to achieve this.
There is not a lot that hasnt been done or reinvented these days and this also applies to the way modern soccer is played. Thats why I encourage players to watch matches on TV to learn how to play correctly. Learning through a visual means is a proven teaching tool that must be utilized by coaches because its an intelligent way of using technology as a friend.
Think about the first time you drove a car. As a passenger you would have spent countless hours observing an adult driver, and on your first drive you had a fair idea on how to properly do it. The same principal applies to developing the awareness of junior players on how to play. Watching professional soccer shows kids correct technique for shooting, body positioning when receiving the ball, closing down opponents and every other necessary skill to effectively play soccer. All professional top level coaches still use video analysis in preparation for matches to show relevant passages of play that may affect the outcome of a match.
Kids need to be encouraged to watch more soccer and think about what they have seen and how they can apply it on the field. They should then experiment in training sessions to find effective soccer solutions through trial and error. Player development is as much about sharpening the brain as the physique. Positional play and how it fits into a teams tactical structure can also be learned through observation.
As a kid I saw many skills and movements that aroused my imagination and could not wait to try them out for myself in the backyard. I copied lots of pieces of skill and trickery I saw my heroes perform. It really does work!
So if you are a parent or coach, help your young players by making sure they are watching a soccer match when they are in front of the TV and encourage them to freely practice what they see, but most of all make sure they having fun along the way!
