Pre-season is upon us and with it comes a sudden increase in workload on players. It’s the beginning of a new year and coaches are trying their best to get their teams ready for the season, with fitness training and trial games. Rather than a steady increase in training and game duration, however, our football culture is used to ‘smashing’ players to get fit. It’s about running them into the ground and throwing them straight into 90 minute trial games for the all-important first game where they must get off to the best start to the season. Sound familiar?
When does the player’s welfare take priority over three points?
There are too many young players getting tired, burned out and injured due to our poor management as coaches. There are too many young players whose development is being severely inhibited as a result of being pushed to train harder and play longer. The thinking is that “They’re young, they can handle it,” when actually, during the teenage years, the body is growing, changing and under its greatest stress. Expect strange looks from, not only players, but other coaches when wanting to play 25 minute halves in trial games. But insist on quality and 100% in every action and you’ll soon see players walking with hands-on-hips after 10 minutes. Then we can have a measure on when to gradually and safely increase the game duration.
Quality over quantity rules.
I’m glad when my boys can speak up and step out of training, when they know their body needs a rest or lighter session. Learning their body’s limits is an integral part of their development and, yes, it takes a lot of patience, flexibility and trust as a coach. I just hope the players can have that same voice with other coaches and parents when they’re pressured to train every session and back up for the next 90 minute game. Let’s look after our young players. When you’re tempted to throw him or her on for your next game, please ask yourself – is three points worth more than this kid?
I love this post and have just made my son read it. Thanks joey. Wish more club coaches thought like this.
I couldn’t agree more