De Piero, Rogic, Ronaldo, Devanna, Barbieri, Fishlock. We are used to admiring individuals in the game. Individual talent is applauded and inspiring. When developing young players, we encourage them to watch and emulate their favourite players.
Star individuals are easily recognisable but how easy is it to emulate a star team? To recognise a star team player? We often forget that the secret to football is the power of a team.
Think of a successful team. Barcelona, the USA Women’s National Team, even look at the Australian cricket teams. Now cricket can be seen as dependent upon individual skill, yet Michael Clarke is the first to point to their secret of success being the power of the team. How much more then, in football, does the squad need to play as one?
This secret of football is being brought to light for my senior boys at IFS. I’m really enjoying seeing my group go through the process from watching out only for their individual well-being, to gaining an understanding of their role within a team game plan, helping one another succeed and find the real secret to football.
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