Most are taught from a young age to fit in. Adjust, be compliant and fit in with a crowd. But the biggest thinkers, innovators, inventors, creators who have made life changing discoveries products or services have been people who did not fit in. People that stood out and took pride in standing out. People that did not listen to others, marched to their own drum, maybe been called troublemakers but at the end of the day their standing out changed the world one way or another.
Why shouldn’t the same thing be applied in sports? Well, it does and top-level coaches like and encourage players that stand out, are creative, take initiative are free thinkers and leaders. Please do understand that there is a fine line between standing out and being a disruptive force. To society, to a team, to a coach. This is something that we feel should be taught and cultivated at a young age. In most sports at any given day, one will find coaches training players in skills, technique, and plays. Everything is choreographed and orchestrated by the coaching staff. Little is left up to the players. Most coaches are always telling, dictating to the players what to do, never asking their opinion or their thoughts. The same applies on game day when they are always shouting directions from the sidelines to accompany the instructions shouted by the parents. We realize that everyone has the players' best interests at heart, and everyone wants to help those players but the way they go about it is very wrong. By constantly spoon feeding the players we are not allowing them to be free thinkers. We are not challenging them. No one grows from having someone else figure out the solution to a problem when they are faced with adversity. By allowing players to figure out their own problems with our guidance we allow them to grow in their sport and eventually in life. Elite Player Futsal Training is More Than Just Technical Skills Training - It is mental and technical training. All top players have great technical skills but not everyone has top notch mental skills. The reason top players can execute consistently under pressure is because they have been taught to do it at the training ground over and over again, under pressure. I remember a player that was on one of my teams that always did his own thing, even when we orchestrated some activities, he would always do it his way, no matter how much we tried to direct him and help him. This player had serious physical attributes, speed work ethic and never gave up. He stood out right away. He loved playing soccer and you could see the joy in his demeanor. He was just never taught fundamentals, control, restrain or other qualities that make a good soccer player at a young age. My guess is that his previous coaches did not take the time to develop him thinking he is a handful. Well instead of trying to restrict him and confined him to everyone else we allowed him to do it his way if he was not harmful to himself or others. He would just run and sometimes be all over the place. He would put himself in situations that at times got him in trouble on the field, by losing the ball falling and tripping into other players, running out of bounce consistently and well you get the idea. Instead of trying to control him, since he would not listen, we would allow him to fail consistently and after a while he did not like it at all. I would then step in and offer him a suggestion to try it a different way and offered him the option of his way and a different one. Sooner or later, he would try it and by finding success he started to listen more and trust me more. I also would always ask him questions instead of telling him what to do. This player developed in one of the most creative, free thinker attackers I have ever coached. He became a top scorer and feared by everyone he played against. He went on to play at a remarkably high level and earn a college scholarship. The ability to stand out is an exact science. It is governed by law. The way you stand out is in the desire to do so, earning the skills to do so, the amount of work you put in, how well you perform certain skills, the ability to be irreplaceable, as well the need and the environment. A player must learn to stand out and most players do not know how to stand out. Most player think that skills will make you stand out. A standout player for me is someone that can change any situation, in the locker room, on the field anywhere. A player that makes his peers better anytime he is around them. In school, playing field, or life. A player that is not afraid to be creative, take calculated chances, help others, put other’s success over his. Sep up his teammates for success by working hard to make them look good. Not be afraid of failure rather than learn form it. Learn to view failures as steps to success. Learn to deal with success, be humble in everything he does and always look to better himself as well as others. A player who is always hungry to do better even when he achieves certain goals. A player who is always asking himself: “What’s next”. A player that is irreplaceable, a player that I can never take of the field, a player that I always want in my life on and off the field. One can do all kinds of things to be noticed and stand out, but many of them do not make a lasting impression.
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Gaining skills and modeling successful soccer players that already have been there is the best way to start your path to success.😀👍
Doing that is how you gain an unfair advantage as most try to figure it out for themselves. No one will save you, no one will do it for you >>>it is up to you to seek, do and change your future. By accepting failures, we can move forward in a positive way that leads to success. But by modeling someone who already has made those mistakes one can speed up the path to success.😎🏆 Gaining capabilities and modeling people that already have been there is the best way to an end result. No one will save you, no one will do it for you >>>it is up to you to seek, do and change your future. When you gain capabilities from people that already have been there, the nerves go away, the unknown is not scary anymore, the imposter syndrome melts away. Thinking about signing your child for soccer?
Think Futsal Instead. Here is why. If you’ve never played futsal, it can be hard to imagine how it’s so much different from soccer. Allow me to help you visualize the difference between playing futsal and soccer. Think of Futsal as the next generation soccer experience for children. Kids develop soccer skills playing constantly with the ball, high intensity activity to improve speed, agility vision, creativity. It's a fun way to learn real dribbling, passing, shooting, tackling and much more – all leading to immediate improvement. Futsal provides better ways to develop skills: Especially for young players ages 6-12, Futsal is a much better game for a players development. Most of a player's learning comes from playing, especially at the young starter ages of 3-6. The size of the court and speed of Futsal means 6 times more opportunities for a player to touch the ball vs soccer. It also puts players in constant situations where they need to think fast to solve problems, constantly be forced to protect the ball, work out of tight situations among other. Soccer is normally played as an outdoor game on large fields, whereas Futsal is a form of soccer that is played mostly indoors on a much smaller courts. Futsal is also played around the world in outdoor courts anywhere. The smaller field size ensures a game of Futsal is fast-paced and more intense, with more opportunity for goal scoring. Another difference is in the number of players. There are eleven players for each team in the game of Soccer, while Futsal is played with five players on the court. Less players at one time means more opportunities to touch the ball. There are three substitutions allowed in a game of Soccer, whereas there are unlimited substitutions in Futsal. Once again players can come in and out of the game as often as possible, giving them more time to play. There are many other differences between the two games in terms of tactics, positioning, and the skills required. However, the fundamentals of the two games are essentially similar, making Futsal a great option for Soccer players and vice-versa. If players become good at playing in a faster surface like a futsal surface they will immediately stand out on turf or grass. Over the years, soccer has been labeled as a "Thinking Man's Game". The term has been derived from the game's uninterrupted, steady flow of play without timeouts or many set plays, full of player engagement, creativity, situational recognition, adjustments and problem solving on the fly is what it is called a "player's game".
In soccer a player must be a thinker, problem solver and a creative machine without much help from the coach at every single minute of the game. There are unlimited options, combinations and opportunities to score goals. A player's imagination and creativity is the only limitation in the game of soccer. Because of this game setting nature players grow not only in their game but in life as well. The ability to constantly think, adopt and solve has massive benefits in everything. Well, futsal adds to the mix, a faster playing surface, restrictive smaller playing area, less time to think, react, adjust and solve game situations. The pressure is multiplied ten fold. If soccer is a "thinking man's game", then futsal is a "thinking man's game" on steroids. Futsal will absolutely, unequivocally, without any doubt grow a player's soccer game. Spring soccer season is upon us and every soccer player is returning to the big spacious soccer fields for pre season or tournaments. Do not forget that team soccer training does not mean that a player should stop its individual skill training. Let’s face it, when team training begins it is only natural that teams focus on team technical and tactical concepts and skills. Players must find a way to train their individual skills along side in order to be able to stand out. In an hour and a half team session with 14-18 players an individual player will not get as many touches on the ball as it will with a technical development specific program. Now lets add to that, training with a futsal ball in a smaller, faster, restricted training surface and your player will be shinning in soccer team training.
It has be observed that the children who train with heavier and less bouncy futsal balls make contact with the ball more often and they become more focused, which results in an enhancement in their game skills and also has a positive effect on traditional soccer game. (Read research report here) This is what supplemental futsal training along your player’s soccer team training will bring to the mix. LEARN MORE The Elite Player Futsal Spring Training Schedule has been released and it will serve as supplemental training for soccer players. It is widely known that futsal is the key development tool for soccer players. Families now understand the reason why year round futsal training is benefiting soccer players and keeping the elite players at their top playing form. This is a 100% Club Neutral Program. All players belong to their current clubs. We do not recruit or form soccer teams to compete outdoors. This program is a feeder for the Champions Cup Series and the US Futsal Regional & National Tournaments. If a player is identified he/she maybe asked to play in one of these futsal events, provided their outdoor soccer program permits it. This program offers a pathway to national and international opportunities and exposure to international coaches from all over the world. We invite you to make this training part of your weekly spring training. There is a limited number of students that we will be accepting in the program so don't be left out. LEARN MORE Developing Elite Players Through Futsal of High Character and Standards on The Court, Field and Life is part of this unique program.
We do not seek to just develop soccer players with their technical and tactical skills that will help them reach the elite levels of their soccer game. We seek to also develop and guide their mental and behavioral habits that will help them in their pursue of a college career or beyond. There are certain characteristics that elite players possess that help them excel not only at the top level of their sport but in life as well. Quality habits that help them shape an elite mentality and work ethic. This is what the “Character of Champions” is all about. Program director, Niko Alexopoulos, is a college level coach who knows what coaches are looking for from elite players. “At the college or pro level all players have high standards, but the elite players stand out because of their Character of Champions mentality” he has quoted saying. Coach Farrell is a current semi pro soccer and futsal player who knows what elite player mentality is and coaches that methodology to the players she mentors. The fact that not only is she a coach but actively playing at a high level makes her extremely relatable to youth players as they can harvest from her playing experience and how she incorporates the Character of Champions mentality in her approach to her game and coaching style. The game of soccer is changing at a rapid pace. Therefore, the role of the goalkeeper in it as well. Futsal is gaining and extreme level of popularity, not only as a game but as the best tool to help a player with soccer development. Field players are embracing futsal as their salvation with their soccer challenges. However goalkeepers seems to shy away and when they are asked to participate in goalkeeper training and they seem to gravitate towards turf or grass training.
Only a small number of goalkeepers prefer futsal specific goalkeeper training and in fact are brave enough to take on the challenge. Yes, I did use the word brave, as one must have no fear to stand in a futsal goal and face extremely fast shots from very short distances and angles. But then again only few will ever become elite at their chosen craft. Futsal will massively accelerate the level of development for a a goalkeeper and help them excel in their outdoor soccer game. Futsal will help them stand out and massively develop. One of the most overlooked positions is still the goalkeeper position by many coaches. That is a common mistake that we see in outdoor soccer teams trying their hand at futsal for the first time. They enter events without their goalkeepers ever have attended a futsal specific goalkeeper training. A lot of them have never even attended a regular goalkeeper specific training. A good number of teams attending futsal events for the first time will most likely not even have a goalkeeper. They will rotate field players at the position. That is great and should be promoted at the younger age groups and lower level events. However when teams enter higher level events whey should have a goalkeeper that knows and understands the position. Learn more about the Elite Player Training where a goalkeeper can train in a futsal specific environment and massively improve their skills. One of the challenges futsal specific coaches/trainers face is getting players into a futsal specific session. Not an outdoor soccer training session played indoor but a futsal specific session, performed with a futsal specific ball on a futsal specific training environment and futsal specific playing surface with futsal specific activities.
It is crazy when players step into these sessions for the first time and parents realize that there are other coaches, trainers and programs that can help their child’s soccer development along side with their outdoor soccer team training. It is not against the law to want your child get better, however you would think that many parents have been thrown into mental prison this entire time with their reactions once they learn of futsal and it’s development benefits towards the outdoor soccer game. The fear of going away from a club atmosphere is the biggest problem. Afraid if you do not sign up for their clinics you will not start the next game. The fear of having your coach find out that you step away from their “optional” training session for someone or something else. Furthermore, it is always great to see and hear the responses and reactions from players and parents after their first futsal training or game. Some of the most common player remarks are how much fun it was to play, how quick of a game it is, the fact that they get to touch the ball countless times and how many goals they scored. On the parents side common remarks include that they never realized how much their child would love the game, how many times they would get to touch the ball, how they are involved in the game every single moment instead of daydreaming on one side of the field while the ball is on the other side, the fast pace actioned packed situations and off course the amount of goals scored which make all children smile. Wake up and smell the coffee. Explore and see what else is out there. Your child will know RIGHT AWAY if it is something that will benefit them. Learn from everything and everyone. Stop being brainwashed by the same thing over and over. If your coach and your club truly want what’s best for your child’s development they will not only be open to alternative methods to develop your child’s soccer skills but will encourage it as they want the best players on their teams. Think about it… Your club wants the next best thing. The next standout player. That player is the player that does everything to make them better. The number of kids and their parents who were scared to seek, discover and enter the outside world of training, away from their club team and coach are the same kids who are cut and when you ask the coach why they were cut or what can they do to get better, the coach will tell you to train more and work on certain things. Ironic do not you think? Any coach or program that does not allow you to see what is out there should be a clear red flag. Why would that ever be the case? Maybe they have the fear of you learning what else is out there? Maybe they are scared to lose out on your extra $300.00 for their ‘optional’ training program? Another mystery is why would your coach/club charge you an extra fees to make you better? Isn’t that what the 3-4x week training sessions are for? So now you must pay another cost to train with the same kids and the same coach probably doing the same type of sessions you did during team training? Why can’t you go out there and see what is available for yourself? When your kid enters high school, you will punch yourself for not seeing all the possibilities out there to make them better. Following is a quick video on how creating space in futsal will massively develop a player's outdoor soccer game. We often see players on the futsal court trying to play a position and stay at that position while their teammate possesses the ball. (This is what they been may have been taught by their soccer coaches). That creates and amplifies the problem that since the futsal playing space is restricted the player possessing the ball will not have options and will be forced into trying to keep possession under the defender's pressure. Although this develops the players ability to keep possession with own personal foot skills it does not allow the team to advance the ball and penetrate.
In the outdoor game of possession, although there is a basic shape a coach will use with players primarily maintaining their position, players are also asked to pass and move, recognize and make timely runs, overlaps and basically move away from their primary position in an organized fashion. Meaning, if the left back over laps maybe the midfielder will drop back to cover that position, if both the back and the midfielder play together to advance the ball, one of the center backs will shift to cover the left back position of maybe the defensive midfielder, (if there is one), will drop to cover that spot. The bottom line is that in an organized manner although players have primary positions they will shift and move out of positions to either advance the ball or cover for each other. Learning how to recognize and create space with timely runs off the ball, thus providing additional options to the ball handler in the futsal restricted space will massively develop a player's outdoor soccer game. Continuing Futsal Education and how it is the number 1 development tool to the outdoor soccer game, we would like to point out certain benefits that no one can deny. The first one is to be considered in direct comparison to a similar 5v5 game on indoor turf . Take the following points into consideration: Not only a smaller playing area with less players playing at a time, but also a much faster playing surface, which makes ball control harder, and with a futsal specific ball which is smaller and less bouncy allowing the quicker development for ball handling skills.
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AuthorNiko is someone who believes passionately that futsal should be intentionally used as a tool for developing soccer players year-round and come first in the developing process at the younger starter age groups of 3-12 years of age. He has a massive amount of experiences, observations, thoughts and ideas from being submerged in the futsal community as a player, coach and operations director waiting to be released that could truly benefit the futsal community as well as the soccer coach that is just getting into the futsal methodology as a soccer development tool as well as the futsal game itself Archives
August 2021
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