Playing Soccer vs. Learning Soccer

Does just "playing the game" create great players?

By Coach V

The University of Soccer

Somewhere along the way someone made two great comments about learning the game of soccer. The problem is that some how, some where, along the way they simply got misunderstood by many in youth soccer. 

1) "Youth players learn the game of soccer by playing the game."

2) "The game is the best teacher."

These are very true statements but you MUST understand what they really mean and how to apply them. The GAME is the GAME and technical skills are skills we take to the game to play.

I have seen soccer players that have "played the game" for years and years but they have very poor technical skills. Parents often don't understand this and call the teams that their children are trying out for "POLITICAL" in their selection process. Not understanding that "little Jimmy" can run fast and is big for his age, but can't receive a simple long pass to save his life.

One of the most PAINFUL things for me to watch is a young / maturing soccer player, generally between 13 - 16 years in age, tryout for a team thinking that all those years of playing "on the field" will help them.

They hit the field and look "clumsy" compared to others. They are still "toe kicking", can't perform proper traps, have trouble making quality passes and just don't have a good first touch. I feel horrible for the player knowing that many of their precious development years have been wasted.

I think it was said best by former U.S. Men’s National Team captain Claudio Reyna…

“It’s possible at any time during a player’s career to get into top physical shape or to try to win every game, but you can’t teach skills to an old player. Youth coaches should keep in mind that individual skills need to be nurtured at an early age. Players who haven’t mastered the fundamental skills become frustrated because the game gets too difficult for them as they move into higher levels.”

Soccer players gain vision, understanding, creativity, and teamwork from "playing the game". They become a more highly skilled player by refining and improving their technical skills AWAY from the game. This is why the SOCCERU series www.SoccerU.com was designed. Teach them early and expose them to as much as they are able and willing to learn.

Soccer players between the ages of 8 and 14 are programmable machines. Learning new things and concepts comes quickly and is enjoyable. After that point it can be very difficult to change habits and instinctive movements.  It can be done, but they really have to understand the WHY and not just the how.  (We also address this in Soccer U.)

Just "doing" something over and over does NOT necessarily make you better at it.

I will use the example of the 60 year old golf player. (Slicer)
I once knew a man that loved golf. He played the game twice a week for over 40 years. He was a self taught golfer that never took lessons and really didn't go to the range often. His philosophy was that "the game was the best teacher".

The funny thing is that he never really improved. After "playing the game" over 20 years (more than 80,000 holes of golf) he still had the same swing, slice, and still shot in the 90's.

Soccer or any sport is much the same. If we simply "play the game" over and over we only can improve "so much".  We use the same skills and HABITS throughout the years.
Until we OPEN OUR MINDS and allow our bodies to feel things in a different way, we will do what feels "natural". Often this is wrong or needing improvement.

I do realize that kids want to have fun, but you would be surprised how many kids walk away from a soccer practice or a soccer camp with the feeling that, “I really didn’t learn anything.” They often simply go through some DRILLS then end up with a scrimmage. (A horrible plan to follow.)

Each player should be introduced to at least two new technical skills at each practice. Then they should revisit skills they learned from weeks before. Even if they only revisit the old skills for 60 seconds each, the body FEELS them again and grows accustomed to them. 

The NEW SKILLS should be moved into more of a game like environment with a focus on the new skill. Making this transition from just the “learning of the skill” to adding some pressure to it makes all the difference in the world. A young player will NEVER try new skills in a competitive match. There is too much risk and fear of failure will make them return to what is easy and natural. 

Play the “game of soccer” because you love the game. Work on improving your skills because you have a desire to be better and improve your game. Take those new skills to the field and use them often.