Philosophy
Coach Alex Ludwig Team Building
“The team building process is the tool the coach uses to develop the soccer concept, the style of play, as optimally as possible with the aim to achieve success” “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, but he still only has one eye” Soccer is a game with certain elements. There must be a ball,teammates and opponents, a field with boundaries, goals opposite each other and soccer rules. -The plan is the collective understanding and agreement as to how the team will approach the game. It involves the distribution of tasks and responsibilities so that the team stands the best chance of winning. -It is what we must do, how we will do it, who is responsible, and when it will be done. -Parents, spectators and the referee can have an influence on the match. The coach and players must keep in mind which of these factors they can influence, and which ones they can't. Control the controllable. -Today children aren't as well suited for the increased demands as their parents were. -Thirty years ago a coach had a whistle, a few cones and players with a higher level of interest in the sport, as there were fewer distractions -A clear understanding about how the team will play in order to achieve the desired result. This includes an understanding of the tasks and responsibilities. -Support for the coach and the vision from the team administration. In youth soccer this includes the parents. -A high level of communication must be developed inside the team. -An understanding that team building is a process and not a thing. It is not a team bonding activity like a pizza party. -The benefits of team building are long term. They are not specific to a particular team or season. They can be carried along throughout a career. -The ultimate objective of team building is winning. Development without winning is like reading without understandings. (At the youth level winning should be associated with performance. It is important that players develop their qualities to their highest level and this effort is what constitutes a winner.) It is voluntary. Children play soccer because they want to Behind every action must be a thought You don't know what you don't know Soccer is a game with certain elements. There must be a ball, teammates and opponents, a field with boundaries, goals opposite each other and soccer rules. -Alex Ludwig- |