Brian and I are flattered by, and grateful to, Jacques Pelham of the Football Garden for having us as guests on his Podcast.
We touch on a bunch of topics, some of which are:
- Brian’s coaching genesis
- The Academy setup
- Our influences
- Player selection
- The concept of hierarchy and MLS / US Soccer insulation
- State of the National Team
- Some predictions (Champion’s League, WC Qualifying, College Cup)
Very cool to learn more about what you guys are a part of. I had no idea, and think/hope it’s the future of soccer here (or we at least see more of it).
I meant the extent of it — not that I was unaware of the club overall, obviously.
Thanks Travis!
It’s like I’m pregnant with an 10 pounder, and all I can share with you on this blog is the sonogram.
This is a great change of pace and an opportunity to hear you guys go into depth about things, it was great to hear what it would be like to be with you and your brother sitting down at the breakfast table or something just talking soccer. I’d love to see more of these!
Thanks Kevin!
If this was my livelihood, I’d be better equipped to serve you all.
Will try nonetheless.
i was just thinking the other day you guys should have your own podcast.
Would love that coach.
I hope you get a seat at this ‘table’ you speak of all of the time.
I’m excited to see what the future holds for you guys. Releasing things like these podcasts, videos, and your eventual coaching curriculum will all be big factors. And although it might not ‘help’ everyone in the ways that they think it will, that curriculum will showcase the skills and knowledge that you guys have. If the ‘right’ people get a glimpse of it… that could be your ticket to the table!
You may be right John.
Interesting that our results and video proof wouldn’t be sufficient in showcasing that ‘we know’.
I keep using Apple …
but this is like saying Apple releases the iPhone, and that’s not sufficient to showcase expertise. No. Apple should release the how, what, when, and why of everything … and only then we’ll believe.
So- would that make US Soccer a Samsung if you’re the Apple? You build the product that everyone wants, then Samsung (US Soccer) comes and swoops up on your copyrighted material (plucking your little guys away from you for National Team duties) and reaps the benefits and then takes all of the credit? Hmmm…
Weird analogy, but it kind of makes sense in my head.
I was just thinking about this on my way home from work today, though. It’s a game. And to get to where you need/want to be, the idiots try to make you play the damn game. Fucking politics, man!
Naw, I was more responding to when you stated:
” that curriculum will showcase the skills and knowledge that you guys have”
I disagree. Like I’ve said, anyone can spit out some curriculum.
Expertise is more than adequately demonstrated by the end product, unless it is mediocre.
Hence the analogy…
If one can’t tell there’s a clear difference in quality (hence expertise) between say an iPhone and a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, then we’ve got serious problems. It seemed that what you were saying, is like telling the Apple team that until they write and engineering book or something, they haven’t showcased their expertise.
Its so much easier to talk in person! Ugh!
Not at all what I meant. I’m saying that you’re product is great… and that others will/already do think it is great… and that your curriculum is just adding greatness to greatness! Whether you think its done properly, effectively, perfectly, etc, or not.
The high ups just want to see shit like that. They probably won’t come watch a U12 game in SoCal. They probably won’t press play on a 12 minute YouTube video either. But if/when they do catch wind of you, which you said some have, and then they see a curriculum, videos, philosophy, a following, a staff, and the whole nine yards that accompanies the product, their eyes will light the fuck up. Just like their eyes probably lit up when Claudio Reyna put a polished document in front of them and then they could say LOOK WHAT WE HAVE!
You know first hand that people drool for that shit.
I (think that I) do understand what you’re saying, though. I just don’t think I’m relaying my train of thought correctly. I’ll bring it up next time I visit and let you rip me a new one.
Their eyes will light the fuck up… because… like you said… anyone can go write a bullshit document and say it will fix everything. No one here (to my knowledge) has been able to back their shit up, though. It’s not a cookbook, it’s just an explanation. Be the first to explain why your product is the way that it is. You definitely don’t need to explain anything to gain credibility for what you guys have built, but it sure as hell won’t hurt anything if you do!
Okay. Off to the pub.
John is right. Gary, publish your solution to player development. It’s like a patent. You know we can’t reproduce your quality product. In the process you will gain notoriety and respect from the establishment. We all know you’re a badass. Do it then get a lecture hall and call a symposium.
Nice, you guys are killing it!
Thanks Gabe!
Ever consider doing some artwork for 3four3?
T-shirts, logos … whatever you want!
I thought it was a good podcast, and I have to agree about Kilnsmann!!! When the US was looking for a coach my first thought was either Van Gall, or Hiddink, what do you guys think?
How about their selection of a womens coach? :-/
Well Juan, for the money they spent on Klinsmann, I think we had the opportunity to go after pretty much anyone. This process of ‘anointing’ coaches is highly politicized.
Great job. Very enjoyable. The passion came across….
Thank you Brian!
Some points you covered and that called my attention, was the college soccer, I have seen some games and mamita querida! I didn’t have any idea it was the way it is!! WHY??!!! there is so much talent!! And yes I agree, coaches last 14 or 20 years in their positions, there’s no pressure whatsoever to be better or improve, it’s just meh! College should be such an important step! well all of it! How many country would kill to have the facilities that we have here i the US as a high school or college level??!! I mean come on! you know what I mean??
Great to hear, just find it a little discouraging. Especially when this season my son’s club is going through some growing pains and I feel like the teams are suffering. Glaring deficiencies in coaching and parental comprehension of the game. We all know that shit hits the fan when a club that’s done relatively well, has a bad season, or when kids new to club soccer come from AYSO and then complain and whine to their parents that they’re not playing enough. Or you keeps seeing the “strong” players doing the same crap that should of been drilled out of them by now.
My son is a great young player. I’d love for him to make it onto a possession style club, but to be honest, all I’ve seen is jungle ball, except for one club, and logistically it would take a lot to get him into that club, that’s if he even made the cut. Very disheartening.
does gary have a voice disorder that we are not aware of? haha
It’s true. I was pathetic!
I have A LOT of practicing to do.
I’ve got to say that I enjoyed the podcast a lot. Lots of information and you don’t have the “500 words or less” limitations. Loved it and would encourage more podcasts in the future. I can’t imagine the gold mine that Brian stumbled onto with being able to see Bielsa run his trainings down in Peru!
Thank you!
Gary and Brian, great interview.
The detail you work from in set pieces and the choreography paints a pretty good picture as does “who the best players are” and how it is relative to the standard of play you are wanting to achieve. Makes a lot more sense now why Barca selects the players they do because the players fit the mold of the style to which they want to play.
When choreographing play of the team (assuming shadow play), are the training sessions higher in lecture and “freezes” or are you able to coach within the moment and still effectively reach an understanding with the players? I’m curious in the teaching methods you are using that you feel are most effective when covering specific topics. Is it a reliance on a high repeition of covering the same topic, in the same way, until you achieve the level you are seeking?
“Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” Is that a quote comparable to how you’re approach is with your teams?
Thanks
Damn dude. There’s lots to cover in those questions!
This post came to mind:
http://blog.3four3.com/2012/01/12/the-most-important-thing-to-understand-about-elite-soccer-coaching/
But yes, we lecture, we have regular Q&A’s with the players, we stop play during activities to highlight issues, and we also let play continue and coach ‘in the moment’.
So … all of the above.
And repetition of the same core tactical activities until ‘mastery’ is consistently demonstrated in competition. Until then, we will not layer added complexities.
Thanks Gary,
Sometimes a redirection and re-reading of a prior post is helpful, the context is understood differently. My personal challenge is I feel I will “dwell” too long on a topic to a point that I feel I exhaust the desire of my players to continue learning (players get bored, get frustrated, etc). It is difficult for me to let go sometimes for the sake of progression, maybe come back to the topic/element when we have more experience to draw from to where that topic/element has more relevance to our players’ game experience, where they are more able to make the connections to what is being taught.
You’re response paints a couple of pictures. You definitely stick to the topic and you “dwell”. You don’t just lecture, but there is a Q&A, something I’m doing quite a bit more. The “teaching” method is helping me identify what the players truly understand and through guided questions they can figure out a good portion of what they don’t immediately get. That’s a work in progress for me and a complete change of my coaching style which was often direct and I know all the answers. I’m finding the players are talking more in games as a result as they become confident that they might know a thing or two about soccer.
Also, this season I have pushed more tactics than technique (a result of your results). In the past I have worked an entire season on technique. I’m theorizing that more focus on tactics will provide a better understanding to my players on how the game is going to be played and will reveal the technical deficiencies of each individual player in what they need to perform within that system. I’m hoping that revelation will lead to more players taking personal responsibility for personal technical improvement, that they will take the suggestions I make for training at home more seriously with more effort.
“Players do what you inspect, not what you expect” is a quote that I’ve experienced to be proven right almost always, hence my systematic approach to technical before tactical. Anyway, trying something new. This is a rec team. If it can work for us, then feel confident it can work for any team. I’ll continue to contribute where I can. For now, I’m planning the spring high school season’s curriculum and will try to learn Spanish (no joke).
I’m listening through the podcast now and I am really interested to hear your thoughts on the “gold standard” that was mentioned at about 18 minutes in the video. As a coach I want to learn more about what little skills/qualities I should encourage or teach, as well as the bad habits that players should avoid. I have learned some through my time as a player and a coach, but I really want to learn more. Things like looking around before receiving a pass to notice where other players are, or using the outside of your foot to pass because it is a less obvious movement than the inside of your foot.
Did you just learn how to evaluate players by watching the best and forming a “gold standard”? or are there other resources that you learned from? I really want to learn more about what makes a good player for possession football, but I can’t find many good resources for it on the net.
How can the “gold standard” be anything other than Barcelona or La Masia. Most will fall short but that is the standard. On looking for players:
Spanish journalist Marti Perarnau, author of “Senda de Campeones” (Path of Champions), also offers insight into Barca’s youth program, La Masia. Perarnau was interviewed at “Blueprint for Football.”
Asked what qualities Barcelona looks for in young recruits, Perarnau said: “Technique, tactical intelligence and mental speed. These three traits are the ones that matter. Players with very good technique, who are able to understand the game (not just play, but also understand it) and speed of mind.”
On whether physical strength and height are given much importance: “None. Barca does not care about the size of the player. The three parameters I mentioned are the only ones that matter. Not even if you stand out during a tournament. Indeed, Barcelona often signs kids that have gone unnoticed in a tournament, but have those three potential features.”
If Gary and Brian are you using the “gold standard” and I know they are, this is exactly what they look for. As time goes by and you are using this as your compass you obviously will get more efficient at discovering these gems where ever they are. Cause lets face it, 99% of everyone else out there isn’t looking.
Great work Brian and Gary!
“Cause lets face it, 99% of everyone else out there isn’t looking.”
It’s not that we are not looking. We just get what we can find. The hardest job is youth coaching. We must develop all kids that want to play.
Now you are getting into a much tougher topic. Barcelona (Spain) does not develop all the kids that want to play. They only develop those that qualify. Very different issue Doc. Certainly not a lesser issue but perhaps more difficult what you bring up.
“They only develop those that qualify. ” I know but that would only be about 20 kids per age group per county in the US. What do we do with all the other kids?
Thanks!
We should develop all players, yes.
But if one’s particular objective is to develop a quality professional, one must ruthlessly do what it takes.
That’s what they do around the world!
Here in the US, we’re stuck playing barbies, my little pony, and candyland.
We cry about ‘playing time’, ‘recruiting’, ‘high-school soccer’, ‘winning’, ‘SAT scores’, and an endless list of irrelevant topics.
As pulguita suggests, “technique, tactical intelligence and mental speed” are the absolute musts!
The problem of course is:
What is technique?
What is tactical intelligence?
What is mental speed?
Does Neymar have those?
Or how about Gago, Marcelo, Rooney, Pirlo, and loads of other modern and historical players?
FCB does not have a monopoly on the globe’s talent. And as a result, their roster does not fully capture all the possible properties that can be found in a world class player. But perhaps the best advice is to place the majority of your focus on studying them.
It was great to finally get some context to your statements you have posted. I understand now what you are trying to convey in some of your more controversial stances (swearing and diving for instance). When you have an entrenched bureaucracy that rules you have to be willing to break a little glass for them to acknowledge you. Unfortunately,,
Unlike in a fully open competitive system where they would have to or else they would lose their competitive position, in us soccer, both at the youth level and at the professional level they don’t need to because it is a closed noncompetitive system, much like the los soviet union and it’s industries used to bewillingwhere cronyism and despotism was what got you ahead not competitive advantage. Until truenmarket forces are brought to bear on us youth soccer it will be hard to break down the entrenched bureaucracy power elite who do not wa.nt to give up their favored positions.
Thank td!
I’ve got to say though, that these ‘controversial’ topics – while they may or may not serve to garner attention – that is not the intention. AT ALL!
Lots of people, if not most, swear. But most refrain from expressing themselves … in some posts, I show you what’s happening inside as opposed to putting on a venier. If I were to have to represent someone else’s brand, that may go away. So, just like we might not be seeing what say a Guardiola ‘really thinks’, you’ll just get a diplomatic Gary. And the days of deep human information flow are over.
The choice here is simple: Enslaved robot, or free human.
This site has been about the 2nd.
Bieeeeeeeeeeeeen Garyyyyy! pshhhhhh bombasss!
Makes me envious man. Wish my team and our coach payed the attention to extreme details you guys do! great work.
Gary, Brian — I wanted to shed a tear! My son looks at me sometimes “dad, why such passion” kind of look. He listened to the podcast w/me and he’s getting it more and more. I have hope with guys like you forcing the estalishment to get off its ass, feel the pressure, look in the mirror as you called out their bullshit. I also want to cry at how f’kd up US soccer is.
Wish I could meet you guys and talk. We have a lot in common in terms of our outlook and beliefs on soccer.
The point that hit home the hardest is inability for most teams to have players who can execute what coach asking for . . . irrelevant of system / philosophy. Especially for the technically gifted, tactically savvy players who think quickly. They are overshadowed by jungle ball players (big and strong) and become ineffective in the very common Route 1 style of play in USA. Who cares about executing if just kick and chase?
The problem I have been dealing with is that players can only see/process… one route!
It’s not that they’re playing long ball or anything (route one), but they only see one option. Sometimes they see the right one with plenty of time and space to execute it. They usually don’t have tons of time and space though. They have 2 or 3 other places to play, but they are too zoned in on their ‘one route’ that they can’t see the others.
You can see it on the faces of the teammates who ‘get it’ though. They’re frustrated. The ball reaches a certain spot on the field and it breaks down every time. Some of the players just aren’t good enough… mentally, physically, technically, tactically… however you want to say it. They just don’t have it.
I hear you John! On my son’s team, the players who get it (2-3 as you say) have multiple responsibilities assigned by the coach for the players “who get it”. But as they are finding out, it gets frustrating telling your teammates what to do on constant basis. I guess that’s early maturity for them and will pay off for them personally.
Teams with 3-5 top level technical players usually results in having a top team. Can you imagine that same team or any team with the entire team “getting it”, understaning each position and what is expected from each , can interchange positions, and has the patience to control the game and not just make mad dash to goal? Now you’re describing teams like Barcelona. And this is reason for coaches to give far more consideration to players who have the ability to execute what they desire on the pitch. They dominate the game and the ball. This is the La Masia mantra. This is totally lost on USSF and youth coaches.
It’s relevant because this is part of what Gary and Brian indirectly spoke to in Podcast.
“but they are too zoned in on their ‘one route’ that they can’t see the others.”
“however you want to say it. They just don’t have it.”
That’s when I crack the whip and chew them out. Sometimes you need to treat players like a pack of wild dogs and force them to learn. Check out old communist training methods implemented in China, Russia, Germany. They do work.
Listened to the podcast. Made me sad. Very sad at how bad US Soccer is. Jotted down my thoughts. Random stuff. Probably bad for first time post.
US Soccer has eyes, but can’t see.
US Soccer has brains, but can’t think.
US Soccer thinks it understand soccer, but they do not.
Sunil and Jurgen . . . false hope.
We need inspiration.
What is our destiny? Is it a dream never to be seen? A prize un-won?
Will a new day to come?
3Four3 is the ember that burns and hopefully one day will be the spark that lights the flame.
US Soccer frustrates me. Angers me.
The depths of sorrow for stubborn imperfection.
Proud but unwise. US Soccer takes the prize!
Size, power, strength . . . oh how I hate!
Skill, intellect, cunning . . . is there a debate?
Like watching a child, I sit and wait. Be patient my dear, be patient.
A compelling listen….my sons local academy coach ( Everett) has asked that all his players listen to this podcast. Changing the game one player at a time! Well done guys!
Interesting read… http://www.socceramerica.com/article/49000/the-sad-and-sadly-predictable-death-of-a-task.html