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End point - Being a WINNER!
The way I look at it (from high school days) you wish your team to deny the opposition the ball - Period.
Impossible - 1. Possession of the ball: There is the start and there are re-starts and the Laws of the Game have determined that each team shall be allowed such - sometime during the game. However, within context of the 'Laws of the game' the 'target' must be to possess the ball while denying same to the opponent.
2. The first advantage that can be gained is having the swifter players. Faster over the ground and 'faster feet'.
Just think on it - If a ball is equidistant between two opposing players say, a) 10 meters if both players react and move towards the ball at the same time the faster player gets possession.
b) If the ball is 1 or 2 feet or so equidistant between two opposing players if both players react and move for the ball at the same time the player with 'faster feet' gains possession.
Conclusion - Coach/teacher must seek fastest of players and players having 'fastest of feet'.
Must be the aim. Sure other factors will come into play - compensating factors that will determine final 'selections'.
...but moving forward great TEAMs shall have on-the-field players 'fastest of players' and with 'fastest of feet'.
3. Speed of mind! Good thinkers who as the phrase 'fast on your feet' suggests are 'super quick' at assessing a given situation/solving problems and reacting at/with 'lightening pace'.
4. All-round athleticism - Must have good balance, good high standing jumping ability. Great reaction time. Explosive speed from standing start to over 5 - 25 meters.
All needed for getting 'the jump' on opposing players. A part of gaining and retaining possession.
------
The game is about possession...with good tactical and technical awareness.
Some words come to mind on use of ball -
SUDDEN!
GOOD TOUCH!
Excellent TECHNIQUE!
-----
Then there is: 'All for One'! 'One for All'! In a nutshell, TEAM!
So ATTITUDE is key.
There must be a willingness to 'die' for TEAM. All actions must be first and foremost engaged in for TEAM first, TEAM second, TEAM third...to infinity. There is only TEAM.
TEAM=One unit=One mind!
------
Having players with the necessary 'smarts' ('quick mind' - also suggests readily understands and absorbs details of tactics), athleticism, speed over ground/lightening fast, quick feet and TEAM first and TEAM always attitude with great technique....is vital.
Conclusion: The above really means our coaches must select players with the above - speed across ground, quick feet, all-round athleticism, great technique and 'agile mind'. ...naturally selecting the players top of the class when all the characteristics are considered is 'it'.
It is hardly likely that in each squad there shall be the same individual/player who is 'tops' in each and every category.
However, those players who meet the above criteria from say, within a school or other institution of learning or within ranks of the club's players or nation's players, compensating factors considered, shall (must) be chosen to be included within coach's/teacher's squad. That must be the aim.
It is extremely important that any player who does not buy into TEAM as referenced above will never be allowed in the squad...or if such a player slips through as soon as so identified as unwilling to 'buy-in to TEAM' must be 'let go'.
TALENT ABOUNDS within our country...but so it does in every country. It would not be fair to the other players, TEAM or country to have someone being 'carried'...a liability to the whole...a drag on the TEAM.
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The world's top teams to greater or lesser extent within their elite grouping all play TEAM...are loaded with players technically and tactically superb. Players who put on display attributes of the characteristics mentioned.
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Aside: The required technical and tactical age appropriate skills must be taught from the earliest of stages. Our kids are smart and do not need 'baby talk' at ages 4 - end of teenage years.
Our teachers must learn what is appropriate at each age group and 'teach'/coach same.
The skill needed to head, trap, control and pass should be reflex action at 10 - 11 years.
Some awareness of space and time within which to make decisions and carry-out action must always be presented to the young player. -- No way, no how should a Jamaica local boy or girl at say, 16 years old be repeatedly having the problem a Jack Wilshire of Arsenal has with improper use of space and time on decision-making and following action. Wilshire's problem has him repeatedly losing possession - losing TEAM's possession of the ball. ...and he seems to be too often having a hard time recognizing the problem and taking the corrective measures of swifter decision-making and the follow-up action.
NB: The teaching/coaching is key. It follows that those given such task must be armed with necessary knowledge and also with the indispensable aptitude and affinity for teaching.
-----
Specific to Jamaica: Too often our teachers of football do not fully engage the players in the learning process.
Topics are not explored.
Students are not challenged to 'think on the game' - e.g. logically explore 'why' and 'what alternatives' to...
Students thoughts on various topics not encouraged.
Too often avenues for students' expressions of thoughts on facets of the game are non-existent or where available swiftly closed/shut-down without allowing full expression or airing of students' thoughts/inputs.
The way I look at it (from high school days) you wish your team to deny the opposition the ball - Period.
Impossible - 1. Possession of the ball: There is the start and there are re-starts and the Laws of the Game have determined that each team shall be allowed such - sometime during the game. However, within context of the 'Laws of the game' the 'target' must be to possess the ball while denying same to the opponent.
2. The first advantage that can be gained is having the swifter players. Faster over the ground and 'faster feet'.
Just think on it - If a ball is equidistant between two opposing players say, a) 10 meters if both players react and move towards the ball at the same time the faster player gets possession.
b) If the ball is 1 or 2 feet or so equidistant between two opposing players if both players react and move for the ball at the same time the player with 'faster feet' gains possession.
Conclusion - Coach/teacher must seek fastest of players and players having 'fastest of feet'.
Must be the aim. Sure other factors will come into play - compensating factors that will determine final 'selections'.
...but moving forward great TEAMs shall have on-the-field players 'fastest of players' and with 'fastest of feet'.
3. Speed of mind! Good thinkers who as the phrase 'fast on your feet' suggests are 'super quick' at assessing a given situation/solving problems and reacting at/with 'lightening pace'.
4. All-round athleticism - Must have good balance, good high standing jumping ability. Great reaction time. Explosive speed from standing start to over 5 - 25 meters.
All needed for getting 'the jump' on opposing players. A part of gaining and retaining possession.
------
The game is about possession...with good tactical and technical awareness.
Some words come to mind on use of ball -
SUDDEN!
GOOD TOUCH!
Excellent TECHNIQUE!
-----
Then there is: 'All for One'! 'One for All'! In a nutshell, TEAM!
So ATTITUDE is key.
There must be a willingness to 'die' for TEAM. All actions must be first and foremost engaged in for TEAM first, TEAM second, TEAM third...to infinity. There is only TEAM.
TEAM=One unit=One mind!
------
Having players with the necessary 'smarts' ('quick mind' - also suggests readily understands and absorbs details of tactics), athleticism, speed over ground/lightening fast, quick feet and TEAM first and TEAM always attitude with great technique....is vital.
Conclusion: The above really means our coaches must select players with the above - speed across ground, quick feet, all-round athleticism, great technique and 'agile mind'. ...naturally selecting the players top of the class when all the characteristics are considered is 'it'.
It is hardly likely that in each squad there shall be the same individual/player who is 'tops' in each and every category.
However, those players who meet the above criteria from say, within a school or other institution of learning or within ranks of the club's players or nation's players, compensating factors considered, shall (must) be chosen to be included within coach's/teacher's squad. That must be the aim.
It is extremely important that any player who does not buy into TEAM as referenced above will never be allowed in the squad...or if such a player slips through as soon as so identified as unwilling to 'buy-in to TEAM' must be 'let go'.
TALENT ABOUNDS within our country...but so it does in every country. It would not be fair to the other players, TEAM or country to have someone being 'carried'...a liability to the whole...a drag on the TEAM.
--------
The world's top teams to greater or lesser extent within their elite grouping all play TEAM...are loaded with players technically and tactically superb. Players who put on display attributes of the characteristics mentioned.
-------
Aside: The required technical and tactical age appropriate skills must be taught from the earliest of stages. Our kids are smart and do not need 'baby talk' at ages 4 - end of teenage years.
Our teachers must learn what is appropriate at each age group and 'teach'/coach same.
The skill needed to head, trap, control and pass should be reflex action at 10 - 11 years.
Some awareness of space and time within which to make decisions and carry-out action must always be presented to the young player. -- No way, no how should a Jamaica local boy or girl at say, 16 years old be repeatedly having the problem a Jack Wilshire of Arsenal has with improper use of space and time on decision-making and following action. Wilshire's problem has him repeatedly losing possession - losing TEAM's possession of the ball. ...and he seems to be too often having a hard time recognizing the problem and taking the corrective measures of swifter decision-making and the follow-up action.
NB: The teaching/coaching is key. It follows that those given such task must be armed with necessary knowledge and also with the indispensable aptitude and affinity for teaching.
-----
Specific to Jamaica: Too often our teachers of football do not fully engage the players in the learning process.
Topics are not explored.
Students are not challenged to 'think on the game' - e.g. logically explore 'why' and 'what alternatives' to...
Students thoughts on various topics not encouraged.
Too often avenues for students' expressions of thoughts on facets of the game are non-existent or where available swiftly closed/shut-down without allowing full expression or airing of students' thoughts/inputs.
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