23 Jan 2018 16:38:17
Ed001, is the overcoaching stifling the ability of midfielders to be able to dictate and change the rhythm and tempo in PL games?

Also, was the footbonaut (used at Dortmund) actually a useful training tool or is it indicative that we didn't bother installing one as it's overrated?

Most of our midfielders need two or three touches before it is passed. That seems to be one of our biggest deficiencies when playing against teams who are setup with a low block - which is about half of the teams in the PL right now.

{Ed001's Note - it really depends on the coaching. You could overcoach someone in many ways. The issue is that they are stifled in their decision making into being robotic and not being able to surprise opponents.

One of the keys to the likes of George Best being unstoppable at times was their ability to do the unexpected. That does not mean he could dictate rhythm or tempo, though he could have been coached to do so. What overcoaching would have done in his case would be to remove that unpredictability he possessed.

In general the problem with overcoaching is that players will not change their approach during games on the fly. They will just rigidly keep doing what they are told until they receive new instructions.

The problem stems from youth levels rather than first team football though to be honest. They are often coached by people who are looking to rise through the ranks and so are more interested in results than developing young players. So fear of making mistakes ends up instilled in the players and what you see as a result are players constantly taking the safe option.

As for the footbonaut, like any training tool it is only a tool and as useful as you make it. It is like a wall. Do you just use it as a tool to keep people out of your area or do you play games using a ball and the wall to develop your touch and technique as well with it? It always comes down to the user how useful or otherwise a tool actually is. It is a highly expensive bit of kit, so you would only buy one if it is necessary.

As for the midfield and lots of touches, that is endemic throughout the team and more down to a mental attitude problem. On days when the intensity is high they will look to play the ball first or second touch. On days like yesterday, they will dwell on the ball and take more touches looking for the right pass, rather than just moving it quickly in order to keep the opposition moving until the right pass presents itself.}

1.) 23 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 17:45:35
Thanks Ed!

{Ed001's Note - welcome.}

2.) 23 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 18:38:38
Good question great answer. When Ed001s on form, which is most of the time to be fair, he's like a well lubricated Alan Hansen.

{Ed001's Note - thanks I think.}

3.) 23 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 18:59:43
Have you done a match review yet ed001.

{Ed001's Note - oh gosh no I forgot, I will get cracking on it now.}

4.) 23 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 19:02:12
Great response ed001 and I think you are on to something. Using a wall for touch and technique. Maybe if they used the wall it would teach to play with your head up scanning around and spotting the best pass because they have the confidence and awareness of the ball at their feet.

May be old school but at the younger ages could prove useful as they grow and develop.

{Ed001's Note - there are lots of things they do, but mostly it comes down to not telling a kid off for making mistakes. Let them make mistakes and they will learn for themselves that it doesn't work and try something else. It is about giving them confidence to try new things.}

5.) 23 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 19:22:21
An excellent post there Ed1. Would love to read your opinion in in a match review.

{Ed001's Note - I am trying to get it done now mate.}

6.) 23 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 19:36:11
Nice read that Ed. Can't agree enough. I can think of Hendo and Wij in our midfield who play it too safe.

{Ed001's Note - very much so.}

7.) 24 Jan 2018
23 Jan 2018 20:54:26
Very good advice that Ed. Especially with the youngsters, I will try to use some of it myself.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate.}

8.) 24 Jan 2018
24 Jan 2018 08:43:20
I remember being coached by an ex pro (since deceased) who moved into coaching at a football summer camp when I was about 14.

It was only 5 days long, I was the best youth player at my club, was about 14 and going through a tough time both at home and at school.

He literally killed my confidence on day 1, constantly screaming at me to do things that were unnatural to me and when I played a great pass at one point, he ran up behind me and said something like "that was an accident wasn't it? "

I'll never forget it, but it made me work so bloody hard in the remaining days and it motivated me to do better and exactly as he told me, so much so that I won player of the camp at the end and even beat him in the vast majority of skill games we had to do.

He respected me by the end, but I believe he over-coached me personally and I never was the same player after really, maybe it was because I discovered girls though :)

It's the worst thing you can do in my opinion as a coach (over-coach a young impressionable player), but what do I know lol?!