Potential player needs the social support in order to thrive and excel, says Katz

Herald: Do you think we are over-coaching the kids on their development? Do the coaches take the fun out of the game?

Katz NaidOO: It is important that coaches do not kill the dream of playing. The players dream about the game the whole day and the goal he is going to score at training. But that does not come to pass because you want to be the main guy, blurting out instruction and imposing demands.

An insight into characteristics of children will guide your objectives, they are independent thinkers they are honest and will slate you by their parents. For example, coach talks much but he can’t juggle the ball.

For children, it is not the result that is important. It is “hey Dad I scored a goal today”, whether he won or lost.

 H: Could you give us some suggestions that coaches, soccer schools and academies might use to improve grassroots football in Goa?

KN: Firstly, I would say that any coaching concept or training session must strictly correspond with the mental and physical characteristics of the player his/her age and level of performance.

Knowledge on Long Term Player Development (LTPD) and knowing what to teach when and how. Coaching is influencing therefore being dynamic and understanding progressive loading on all the factors is crucial.

I recommend the game method of training as it constitutes all the elements of a game of football. Various forms of small sided games are excellent for development, mind you if the regular UEFA Champions League, Barcelona uses the small sided games as part of their training regime, does that not tell you something.

H: Could you share some more light on it?

KN: Yes, One should use the game method to address technique for the U-8 through to U-12s which must be the core in planning objectives. Without a solid technical foundation there can be no tactics. As a perquisite in the warm-ups for these age groups doses of activity that address secondary condition objectives. This is known as the introduction phase.

At 13 up to U-15, the consolidation and refining of techniques become paramount and the introduction of basic tactics focusing on individual and group behaviour in possession and not in possession of the ball. The stage of consolidation.

At 15 and beyond, conditioning takes centre stage and the perfection of technical/tactical behaviour are honed. This is where automatisation should be set and winning becomes the outcome.  If the player has come through all the development phases from the age of 7 to 17 years old he is a finished product. Hence, the 10,000 hours syndrome make football an enjoyable experience for the learner, a warm and friendly learning environment will be ideal.

H: Do you think coaches across Goa define success as winning rather than moulding the talent?

KN: I don’t think it is done intentionally; coaches need to revisit the phases of development and the contents of the performance factors in relation to age group training. Quality is more important than lifting trophies without quality. You should ask yourself after a game -- were you happy with quality of the performance.

If I have to give you a packet of seeds, can you tell me which will grow and which will not? Be patient, understand them, equip and nurture them, with love and the correct communication to set them on the right track. You should be able to smile as you watch them grow.

Treat children like children and not like little adults. Your objectives should address their needs and satisfaction.

H: A big part of coaching success is building trust. How can youth football coaches build trust with their parents and players?

KN: It is very important to know the characteristics of children and youth. Understanding of this will give insight to the phases of development and realistic goals for enjoyable and quality outcomes.

Egoistic and self-centered coaches will force children to leave the game and pursue other interests. Emphasis on winning will instil fear and uncertainty for the player because for the coach the win is his priority and how he wins is not his concern as long he has won.

How can one build trust in this kind of environment and without trust, players will not enjoy the game because their creativity and self expression is determined by the coaches.

H: Could you elaborate?

KN: As an instructor, I would always tell my class, match day for little Johnny (U-12) starts on the kitchen table, where mum tells him how to play, in the car on the way to the ground, dad tells him how to play, when arrives at the ground the coaches tells him to how to play and when the game is on coach and all the parents tell him how to play.

Does he needs this, more so if he is on the winning team, huge smiles and positive comments on the dinner table but a negative result will require him to hear comments from his dad especially which will force him to quit.

Coaches should design objectives that are age related and their ability level and the patience factor is vital because we are human beings and learning abilities vary, the repetition method is the way to go. Lastly, every session must end with games and lots of goals to score.

H: Moving on to Youth department …How does the youth department work and how is talent discovered and brought into the club?

KN: Dempo SC played very attractive football and annexed the I-League five times I am told. It is my mission to ensure to get the Dempo teams to play attractive football first and add to the existing trophy cabinet.

I need to sell the philosophy of developing our style of play in the main and for the technical staff to accept and digest. It is obvious we need to be technically sound as an essential and tactically astute in all systems of play we have to meet the standards of our predecessors of the former great teams of Dempo.

At Dempo SC, I am looking to promote players from our junior teams and see them progress through the senior youth teams to the first team. It is a long haul but with a system in place this can be achieved.

H: What is your message to the young budding footballers and their parents?

KN: The potential player needs the social support in order for him to thrive and excel. Parents play an important role in their child’s development, as the case of many super stars.

Parents wanting early glory can be dangerous, winning as an emphasis can be cut short of later glory. Encourage your child after the age of 12 to specialise in a sport that he loves as his choice and not yours. Be patient, don't be pushy.

Many high achievers that make headlines early in their careers don't make the ultimate conquest.

To players -- be humble, respect your coaches, teachers and parents and remember only sweat, blood and tears make you a champion. It’s your mother, father, teacher and God that are your path to success.

H: What is your advice for coaches at the youngest ages?

KN: Know the entitlement of the children and their needs. Design objectives that are age related and in your demonstration and ensure that you give a perfect picture. Remember, a perfect demonstration is worth more than a thousand words.

Don't suffocate the training with constant interruptions. Let them feel free to play, enjoy, make mistakes, have fun and learning by doing.

Lastly, ensure that every training session end in games with lots of goals. They have come to play and enjoy.