Hi everyone, I wanted to share with you an article that came across my desk, or computer as it is these days. I thought it had some value. For me, when identifying players, size or speed are not the first priorities on my check list. Technical ability or acquisition of skill is of more interest as well as the player’s ability to problem-solve and work with others to achieve desired results. I will never claim to be a Xavi or an Iniesta growing up; actually I was light years away but I grew up in an era where Australian players had the reputation for being physically dominant on the park. This helped if you where bigger and faster than others. How many players over the years have we let go? Scary thought and one that still today, makes me very sad! Fortunately not every coach thinks the same way when identifying players they wish to nurture and develop.
Is he tall, strong, quick? Sound familiar? Common traits sought after in a footballer in some, or arguably most parts of the world. An interesting recent discussion with an Irish based scout working on behalf of a well known English Premier League club heightened our suspicions as to what the modern scout is looking for at games within the UK and Ireland. When asked about his assessment process the scout informed us that he looks for physical attributes first and foremost (speed, height, etc). He explained that he mostly watches the player off the ball to assess his positional sense, character and attitude. The priority given by the scout to evaluate physical attributes first has got me thinking. How many potential Xavi’s, Pirlo’s or Iniesta’s are we overlooking in the UK and Ireland if scouts are using this methodology of selection?
We recently interviewed Spanish director of football for Smart Football and CE Football, Salou Albert Vinas i Aliau and asked him what he felt the most important qualities for a footballer are.
The final quote in that interview – “we look for intelligent players”. This indicates that priority is not given to physical attributes first and foremost and further discussions revealed that in Spain for example, he believed the majority of footballers need to be at a high level of technical standard and intelligence to stand out when being evaluated by scouts. Physical conditioning was described as something that could be worked on as boys get older, while the development of game intelligence and technique was described as being of the utmost importance from an early age.
A general opinion in Ireland and the UK among coaches is that we are not producing enough technically gifted and intelligent footballers. Are there technically gifted and intelligent footballers out there being overlooked as a result of lack of height, strength and speed? How many scouts are turning a blind eye to footballers who could potentially be the next Pirlo, Xavi or Iniesta?
Analogy
Having physical attributes like speed, strength, technique, etc without having the game intelligence to go along with them is like owning a Ferrari but only just having learnt how to drive.
Take the likes of Pirlo, Xavi or players of that ilk. Not tall, not quick, not particularly strong – never players who are going to beat three and four men. In car terms maybe an Open Astra at best.
The Ferrari has all the perks and a significant advantage regarding speed, power, etc vs the Open Astra but ultimately it’s the decision making of the person driving the cars that will decide which cars make the right turns and the least mistakes on the road. (Decision making takes place in the brain.)
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