A REBOOT OBSTRUCTION

“Thank you to the over 30,000+ readers who have responded to our thought provoking ‘Reboot’ series. You certainly have provided us with some food for thought. 

Here is more from Graham Ramsey, a coach who has been in the US for over 50 years and has had a profound impact on US soccer particularly around the DC/Maryland /N. VA area. 

Graham addresses a problem that has and still bothers me (hiring a coach or DOC simply because he has an accent (well he must be great at teaching because he is a foreigner!). Solution - ask the candidate to run a few sessions to see his methodology, mannerisms, ability to work with the selected age group and ask about his understanding of age group appropriate techniques required. What works for U-14 players is too advanced for U-10s...

I have put many years putting together and age appropriate curriculum or overview and will share these ideas over the next few weeks. Reboot On!” Roby Stahl

Graham’s observations:  

“So-called mainly English "coaches" have impacted US soccer mainly, from my experience, had a negative influence on the development of the sport in the USA. The misplaced logic somehow of an English accent & soccer expertise were one and the same thing.

That is rarely the case. My state association did a check with the English FA of a group of visiting "coaches" and only one had a license. the rest were winging it and I don't think one of them even coached a team back in the UK.

The bigger question is the learning hole it creates as local coaches (Moms, Dads and especially High School/College Players) should be involved in the development process. By perpetuating this gap/hole of learning is in fact slowing down the development of the players and game in that area. Locals have a far more commitment to the program/ youngsters as they live there. Today is not 20 years ago as American players are as skillful/ knowledgeable as their European counterparts.

There are exceptions if the visiting coach is well qualified and that coach shares that knowledge. Many do that from my experience having national level coaches from countries of Holland, Czech Republic, Brazil & several other soccer countries can certainly make a difference as often they will facilitate travel to their country as well for local players & coaches. Many tend to be qualified teachers as well.

So the moral is to excite locals’ especially teenage players to get involved together with keen parents and watch the game grow. There's no secret to becoming good and using local know-how energy is a vital cog to creating that success.

If countries with no real wealth or facilities can produce quality players why can't your program? Many countries study and ask that question how can we produce talented youngsters? The common answer is access to a pitch, parking lot or waste ground, a ball and let children play. Ideally the field is within walking distance of their house. This has been the recipe to produce many of the greatest players on this planet from Pele to Messi.

MY advice, “save your money and invest it in your players and coaches.” As our esteemed leader says, "AMERICA FIRST!" By encouraging local players/coaches the faster will be the development of the sport in your area.   

 Graham Ramsay, Executive Director, The Soccer School (est. 1969) 

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Dear Reader: Do you have any Reboot-Ideas that you would like to share? Please do so because they may help improve the playing environment in some soccer communities - Priceless..!

Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl

Karl Dewazien,  Emeritus State Director of Coaching                                     California Youth Soccer Association 1978 -2012

Author of the Internationally Published FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series

Producer of the highly acclaimed ‘9-Step Practice Routine’ DVD.

Internet/Clinician at www.fundamentalsoccer.com