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**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Last year, I saw a tryout where the coach in charge spent the entire time doing footwork and cone drills and never did a practice game. For all he knew, the kids he was trying to choose from could have no stamina and a very low soccer IQ.

The other day, I watched a gifted player at an I.D. clinic. This kid is an impact player, but has below average foot skills. I watched the kid struggle through the I.D. clinic which was mostly just a bunch of footwork and cone drills.

I understand that footwork is important. But it seems that the soccer establishment considers it more important than actually being able to play the game well. Is there an over emphasis on footwork that is entrenched into the system?

Thanks daddy..I think you're an impact parent too. Luv you.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 03:43 PM

Talking soccer

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Last year, I saw a tryout where the coach in charge spent the entire time doing footwork and cone drills and never did a practice game. For all he knew, the kids he was trying to choose from could have no stamina and a very low soccer IQ.

The other day, I watched a gifted player at an I.D. clinic. This kid is an impact player, but has below average foot skills. I watched the kid struggle through the I.D. clinic which was mostly just a bunch of footwork and cone drills.

I understand that footwork is important. But it seems that the soccer establishment considers it more important than actually being able to play the game well. Is there an over emphasis on footwork that is entrenched into the system?

I'll bite. Isn't great footwork an indication of extensive training and isnt footwork (when used in propper proportion) related to a teams time in possession and success in combination play? Field sense / IQ seems to usually go hand in hand with foot skill and it's certainly easy to spot the under productive - over dribbler as they turn the ball over. Jmo

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Last year, I saw a tryout where the coach in charge spent the entire time doing footwork and cone drills and never did a practice game. For all he knew, the kids he was trying to choose from could have no stamina and a very low soccer IQ.

The other day, I watched a gifted player at an I.D. clinic. This kid is an impact player, but has below average foot skills. I watched the kid struggle through the I.D. clinic which was mostly just a bunch of footwork and cone drills.

I understand that footwork is important. But it seems that the soccer establishment considers it more important than actually being able to play the game well. Is there an over emphasis on footwork that is entrenched into the system?

Not a bad topic actually. The first question is what age group are you referring to?
However, regardless of the age, sound basic skills trumps all. Great footwork is paramount, unless your kid is a 'sweeper' and a great athlete. If that was the goal then you are OK with mediocre footskills. If, however, your kid wants to be able to play the game then footskills are key.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 04:21 PM

Curious what age group.

I used to think footwork was gratutious until my kid got older and the lack of touch by otherwise athletic players became a major in-game issue.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 04:22 PM

Just boot it!

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I'll bite. Isn't great footwork an indication of extensive training and isnt footwork (when used in propper proportion) related to a teams time in possession and success in combination play? Field sense / IQ seems to usually go hand in hand with foot skill and it's certainly easy to spot the under productive - over dribbler as they turn the ball over. Jmo

Possession is the most overrated stat in the business. It matters what you do with your possession. You need to know the game in order to play it. Foot skills are just that. You can Google a million videos of people who can do foot skills, but are those people playing meaningful soccer?

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Last year, I saw a tryout where the coach in charge spent the entire time doing footwork and cone drills and never did a practice game. For all he knew, the kids he was trying to choose from could have no stamina and a very low soccer IQ.

The other day, I watched a gifted player at an I.D. clinic. This kid is an impact player, but has below average foot skills. I watched the kid struggle through the I.D. clinic which was mostly just a bunch of footwork and cone drills.

I understand that footwork is important. But it seems that the soccer establishment considers it more important than actually being able to play the game well. Is there an over emphasis on footwork that is entrenched into the system?

Wow. And some peopme wonder why this country is so far behind in Men's soccer. Technical skill with the ball and first touch are foundation skills. Without that, no matter how good an athlete you are, you will never be more than a mediocre soccer player, as all the soccer IQ in the world won't make up for bad touches, bad passes, an inability to possess the ball under pressure or take on defenders in the final third.

And no, a player is not an impact player if they can't do anything with the ball at their feet. Every impact player I've ever seen could create their own attacking opportunities when necessary, and that means having skill with the ball.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Wow. And some peopme wonder why this country is so far behind in Men's soccer. Technical skill with the ball and first touch are foundation skills. Without that, no matter how good an athlete you are, you will never be more than a mediocre soccer player, as all the soccer IQ in the world won't make up for bad touches, bad passes, an inability to possess the ball under pressure or take on defenders in the final third.

And no, a player is not an impact player if they can't do anything with the ball at their feet. Every impact player I've ever seen could create their own attacking opportunities when necessary, and that means having skill with the ball.

Completely agree.

Like others, I'd like to know thae age as well.

A 12 year old boy, born early in the year, can certainly be an impact player due to size and the start of puberty. Once all boys go through puberty, the ones with great techical skills will be the impact players.

Too many parents/coaches rely on athleticism and do these kids a disservice.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 08:47 PM

Tryouts suck. I can watch a kid play for 30 seconds and tell you if he can run, is athletic, and strong. Put those 30 seconds late into a game/workout, and I know whether he is in shape. It is really hard to see soccer IQ and judge bravery into tackles without watching multiple games. If a kid is athletically in the belly of the bell curve, where just about every kid is, touch and control can be observed, discerned, evaluated and rated in grid drills. Also, they are a little boring and reveal the kid with ADD who is going to be a PIA to have on the team.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Wow. And some peopme wonder why this country is so far behind in Men's soccer. Technical skill with the ball and first touch are foundation skills. Without that, no matter how good an athlete you are, you will never be more than a mediocre soccer player, as all the soccer IQ in the world won't make up for bad touches, bad passes, an inability to possess the ball under pressure or take on defenders in the final third.

And no, a player is not an impact player if they can't do anything with the ball at their feet. Every impact player I've ever seen could create their own attacking opportunities when necessary, and that means having skill with the ball.

^^^This^^^
In general, not enough emphasis on touch.

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 09:07 PM

I am a bitter dad...but my lil U D got cut from her first premier team this week for the same reason. She is petite, less physical, and a bit slower than than the elite athletes in her age group. She actually prefers futsal - so after 3 yrs, she has noticeably better ball control and field awareness than most kids her age.

We signed her up for a developmental team for one of the big CT clubs. The Spring season was one long 'boot and chase' contest vs kids in older age group (11v11). They completely bypassed the midfield, so holding possession was never a factor. It was sad watching her jump up trying to trap one huge bouncing GK punt after another.

I know that these club coaches recognize that kids grow and mature at different times, but it serves them now to pick the biggest, fastest kids and to cover up their footwork limitations during matches. We're developing track teams, not soccer players. (rant over)

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

I am a bitter dad...but my lil U D got cut from her first premier team this week for the same reason. She is petite, less physical, and a bit slower than than the elite athletes in her age group. She actually prefers futsal - so after 3 yrs, she has noticeably better ball control and field awareness than most kids her age.

We signed her up for a developmental team for one of the big CT clubs. The Spring season was one long 'boot and chase' contest vs kids in older age group (11v11). They completely bypassed the midfield, so holding possession was never a factor. It was sad watching her jump up trying to trap one huge bouncing GK punt after another.

I know that these club coaches recognize that kids grow and mature at different times, but it serves them now to pick the biggest, fastest kids and to cover up their footwork limitations during matches. We're developing track teams, not soccer players. (rant over)

I have the opposite story. My D played HS and club soccer. She was a forward, she is fast, and she could score. The focus of her HS and whenever down late, her club team was boot it over the top and let her outrun D. She felt good about herself. She was a star on her (mediocre) teams. Accolades galore, and not one college soccer coach was interested. Soccer career over.

She got a track scholarship, tho :).

**Unregistered** · 05-25-2016, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Last year, I saw a tryout where the coach in charge spent the entire time doing footwork and cone drills and never did a practice game. For all he knew, the kids he was trying to choose from could have no stamina and a very low soccer IQ.

The other day, I watched a gifted player at an I.D. clinic. This kid is an impact player, but has below average foot skills. I watched the kid struggle through the I.D. clinic which was mostly just a bunch of footwork and cone drills.

I understand that footwork is important. But it seems that the soccer establishment considers it more important than actually being able to play the game well. Is there an over emphasis on footwork that is entrenched into the system?

Could be worse - our local club had tryouts last year and one of the three stations they ran to assess talent was one where they were judged on their throw in abilities.

**Unregistered** · 05-26-2016, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Could be worse - our local club had tryouts last year and one of the three stations they ran to assess talent was one where they were judged on their throw in abilities.

This is the funniest post in a long time ... sadly, I suspect this really happened.