| To Play or Not to Play: That is the Question |
By Neil Hull
As we all know the game of soccer is built around individuals creating a team. In a full-sided game, a coach is dealing with 22, but the numbers required to play a “game” can be as low as two: 1 v. 1. Whenever players get together, a team environment can be created; this often is the deciding factor between winning and losing. The emphasis of the team can add a virtual player or two, and their names might be Motivation and Passion. Our question: What makes an individual want to play in the first place? Where does the motivation come from – the game, the ball, friendship, the end product? The answers to these questions could be endless because we are dealing with the psychology of individual players.
In an organized game, a coach should have a role in the motivation of the player. At all times one must remember that players are passionate about the game because they just want to play. Everything else to them is just an external factor, in my opinion. To remove the will or “want to play” from a player is surgical suicide. It is a coach’s duty to create or facilitate the environment so the game can be successful. By doing this correctly the game then becomes the player’s teacher. As we know from our coaching experiences in soccer, players learn more from “doing” than from lecturing.
As mentioned in the NSCAA’s curriculum at the director of coaching level and also the State Diploma, directors of clubs should be reinforcing to their coaches the importance of the game and should not take away the opportunity for players to play and develop at any level, whether it’s a scrimmage or an organized game. Obviously, we have to deal with players overtraining. We need to teach them to prioritize so they don’t wear themselves out by scrimmaging with friends on a match day or taking part in detrimental activities prior to important games. This comes down to a coach’s scheduling,
communication and organizational skills and a player’s discipline.
As mentioned in the NSCAA State Diploma, in certain areas of the United States soccer is denied grassroots growth because of obstacles to playing the game. The reasons may include, but are not limited to: lack of public fields, travel distance to playing locations, restrictions placed on players by other institutions, and lack of transport or parent involvement.,
On an organized level in the United States, there probably are more options than most developed countries, but these also can have controlling factors and environments. At the end of the day, when an opportunity arises for players, we should give the game back and just let them play! This is when they become creative and learn from siblings, friends, strangers and the game itself. When a coach or parent takes away a playing opportunity from a team or individual, it hinders the evolution and development of the player, the team and the game. This is when the score does not matter – a player who plays is the winner.
Sometimes there can be more to a game than just “the game.” When players are young, their grandparents, other relations or mentors might travel great distances just to watch a match. The score does not matter to the spectators, only the moments of joy and pride expressed by the player. This is the game at the grassroots level. But as players advance in the game to the higher levels of club and high school, external factors can affect the game. Incorrect numbers of officials, weather, team availability, injuries, and tactics all can affect the outcome of a game.
In some of these situations, the rules say you can cancel and reschedule; so cancel it.
However, do not send the players home – you’ve got the field, the time and the resources, so have a scrimmage: 11 v. 11. Split the timing into thirds rather than halves so the players can enjoy themselves. At this level who knows the effect of the external factors. Perhaps high school coaches have come to watch their players at club level or visa versa. Parents might be collecting video for college resumes. One team might have traveled a considerable distance to play – should they just turn around and not play because a referee did not turn up? Have a scrimmage. The official game will be rescheduled anyway; just let the players play and have their winning moments.
One of largest topics of feedback from players to coaches is about playing time. Taking away the opportunity for a player to play when it is there in the local park, league or high school setting may be an example of coaches understanding what is best for them but not their teams. There might well be strong reasons why a coach does not want to play the team in formation, but at least give the players the option to have a 4 v. 4, 8 v. 8 or 11 run-out. Obviously there are exceptions to this suggestion, but at the local league level, a game is the game.
Coaches should realize the importance of finishing all training sessions with a game so they can assess their teams and watch the players play. Each game, whether on the training ground or on match day, is a diagnostic examination, where each player is graded in both effort and ability.
To produce a red card to players by denying the opportunity of a game or scrimmage could undermine players’ love for and commitment to their sport. It could drain the passion and motivation from players and take away the primary reason they enjoy the sport of soccer. Just remember: Players play to play the game!
Editor’s note: Neil Hull is the director of the Players Academy Soccer Skills and also serves the NSCAA as State Technical Director for south Texas.
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