In one of the most exciting and relevant
presentations I have ever heard, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chief
coach straight away pointed out wrong and outdated training methods employed by
coaches, explaining that all training methods produce results.
The question was the type of training offered and
the fruits produced. The good football training preparation created positive effects that have
the ability to alter the results. The culture of such effects was such that
success realised was never transferable, meaning that what worked elsewhere
is not necessarily going to be a hit at another place at another time.
Some methods of training are known to be
detrimental. The higher the level of play, the higher the complexity and
methodologies. More important to note, was the fact that high performance training
for international excellence involved training the brain.
The football brain rules performance. Coaches needed
to work on the brain as there is little benefit to do physical, technical and
tactical work if brainpower is ignored. Knowledge of the game will teach one
that the quantity aspect of training is not best.
Ted emphasised that players can play as far as they
could think. All his address reminded me of the article I wrote after I watched
Zimbabwean football (http://www.tsendex.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-zimbabwe-football-is-horrible.html). In the modern game,
active distance between players is significantly reduced, ranging between 8 and
10 metres vertically and horizontally. That aspect demands quick quality
decision-making. Players are exerted to increased pressures due to reduced
space and time. The speed thought remained more relevant as the complexity of the game
went obviously high.
Players performed tasks concurrently, in quick
succession and even simultaneously. These include but are not limited to
decision-making, emotional balance, assessment of the football situation and
commitment to support amongst others. This is the dynamic situation of the
game, hence the need for dynamic training.
The highest complexity of the game is scoring goals.
There are 27 factors and variables surrounding that function. Coaches therefore
need to maximise the training content. One way to do that is the packaging all
the aspects of football (physical, technical, tactical and mental) into one.
The decision must be made whether the coach wants to
train the team or train the players. The question of whether players are performing
to the best of their ability should be addressed as much as the players’ ability
to manage their weaknesses. Coaches are responsible to fix this.
The football brain motivation creates a mental
environment to absorb training content. This can be achieved if everything in
training is done with the ball or in relation to the ball, directly or
indirectly. By taking static training out of the picture, full-scale football
intensity should be utilised.
Coaches should think of options and variations to
allow for creativity, initiative and leadership. There must be consideration of
the expenditure and recovery of energy on a regular basis as the rate of effort
and recovery must be systematic.
In one very interesting point, Ted tore one everyday
piece of equipment used nowadays; the flat cones and agility ladder. Such
equipment forced players to keep their heads down. Players have to look at the
opponents and even beyond them. Hurdles and cheap mannequins are the best at
all times. These improve the 3-Dimensional vision perspective of the game and
bring reality to the training session.
Amongst the many more issues brought up, the psychometric
assessment of the football brain remained a priority. Players could be given scenarios
to solve their problems. That exercise will provide coaches with a clear idea of the
personalities in the team.
Over a 160 coaches gave a round of applause for the
eye-opening presentation session of the legend.
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