This Blog is intended to relate games/issues in world football to the approach I am taking on the training pitch with the groups of young players I work with. Each week, I will attempt to summarize my thoughts and how I relate these to my training, and will welcome feedback good and bad. I hope that it can inspire free thought about the game and allow coaches to see that we don't have to copy what everyone else is doing, but take the vast offering of information that is out there, and use it to better the development of our young players and inspire a Soccer culture which raises students of the game. 

The Training Culture 

 

 

 

In the recent Spain vs Brasil game, the final of the Confederations Cup, Brasil put in a dominating performance over a Spanish team which has sat at the top of World football in recent years. Following the 3-0 win, the rumor mill about Spain began, was this the start of their demise? Did they just not play well? What does the future hold for this team? It got me thinking.  

 

The standouts for the Spanish team were Iniesta and Xavi, both instrumental play makers in the modern game, both playing on a Barcelona team that has arguably the best training culture that exists right now. Brasil was the first team in a long time that actually came and played a high press game against the Spanish, forcing turn overs and knocking Spain out of their usual rhythm. It seemed like the Madrid and Chelsea players struggled the most to keep possession. I argue, that this is a by-product of the training environment which existed at these players clubs last year, which spilled over into the national team. It was widely stated in the media the disagreements between the Spanish players surrounding the way they train and the struggles both Club teams were having, the lack of competition at practice, the lack luster pressure put on the ball. Is it a coincidence both managers are no longer the managers at both these clubs and that Spain lost such a big game?

 

That is why recently, during my Club and Academy of Excellence sessions, we have talked extensively about the training environment players set for each other. It is too easy for players to be lulled in to a false sense of security when it comes to training. If no one is within 5 yards of you during training exercises and games then what happens when you are put under pressure during a competitive match... you crumble. That is why I encourage my coaches to promote competition throughout sessions so that the pace of play and pressure on the ball remains high, which in turn, leads to greater success on the field and enhances development. I encourage all the coaches reading this to discuss the training culture and environment with your players and have them agree to set the highest standard for themselves and individuals around them in terms of work rate, support and pressure on the ball. I promise that once you achieve a competitive training environment, you will see a massive step forward in individual and team development and your players will individually be more prepared to keep possession of the ball, even in a big game under consistent pressure.