Is Ivanovich Right

[Talk Is Cheap]

Milan Ivanovich claims that kids should be training for football 10-12 months a year.
To me that is part of the problem, kids are playing (training) way too much.
They need time out with summer sports to develop their other skills.
With that all year regime kids will burn out way too early and you'll end up with teams full of footballing robots.
Some parents who are volunteers need time out too.
Let the kids play cricket, lifesaving, tennis etc and find out what they are truly gifted at, if it is football it will take precedence.
No harm in talking about it.

[MegaBonus]

kids wont get burnt out from playing!!!!!!

they will however get burnt out from the pressure put on them by their parents, coaches and clubs!!!

let them play, let them ENJOY themselves.

PLAYING = LEARNING

have you ever climbed a tree or rode a bike and fallen off??? did that stop you from trying again????

[Talk Is Cheap]

kids wont get burnt out from playing!!!!!!

they will however get burnt out from the pressure put on them by their parents, coaches and clubs!!!

let them play, let them ENJOY themselves.

PLAYING = LEARNING

have you ever climbed a tree or rode a bike and fallen off??? did that stop you from trying again????

It depends if I broke a limb or not.
I wasn't inferring that kids would get burnt out from playing, It was the organised training I was referring to.
If kids want to kick a ball around, and there is open space, they will kick around, paying for the privilege won't necessarily make it any more constructive.
They don't need qualified supervision 10-12 months a year, that's what Mums and Dads should be doing.
You learn to climb a tree and ride a bike at your own pace.

[MegaBonus]

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

It depends if I broke a limb or not.
I wasn't inferring that kids would get burnt out from playing, It was the organised training I was referring to. If kids want to kick a ball around, and there is open space, they will kick around, paying for the privilege won't necessarily make it any more constructive.
They don't need qualified supervision 10-12 months a year, that's what Mums and Dads should be doing.
You learn to climb a tree and ride a bike at your own pace.

you will find that the new vision as being promoted by the FFA for junior development promotes the idea that even during 'structured club training' (and i use that term loosely after what ive seen), children should be allowed to 'just play'.

also

unfortunately, mums and dads arent there for whatever reasons. as a result more and more parents are starting to utilise programs like milans during the off season

[Talk Is Cheap]

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

It depends if I broke a limb or not.
I wasn't inferring that kids would get burnt out from playing, It was the organised training I was referring to. If kids want to kick a ball around, and there is open space, they will kick around, paying for the privilege won't necessarily make it any more constructive.
They don't need qualified supervision 10-12 months a year, that's what Mums and Dads should be doing.
You learn to climb a tree and ride a bike at your own pace.

you will find that the new vision as being promoted by the FFA for junior development promotes the idea that even during 'structured club training' (and i use that term loosely after what ive seen), children should be allowed to 'just play'.

also

unfortunately, mums and dads arent there for whatever reasons. as a result more and more parents are starting to utilise programs like milans during the off season

These are the key words "during the off season"
All we are going to promote is damaged limbs and shortened playing careers, it's already happening in AFL and look at AU.
Kids bones and muscles need variety...they need an off season.

[MegaBonus]

are you being serious???

gowing up - it was football (world/afl) during winter, we'd play for a club on sundays the school on a sat and train 3x a week. during summer it was cricket for the school and or basket ball and every spare minute after school or during the holidays was spent at the park or on bikes.

children/teenagers need more not less. and the more non structured the better!!!

BTW - care to cite which AU players are suffering injuries as a result of not being given an 'off season' during their teenage years???

[Talk Is Cheap]

are you being serious???

gowing up - it was football (world/afl) during winter, we'd play for a club on sundays the school on a sat and train 3x a week. during summer it was cricket for the school and or basket ball and every spare minute after school or during the holidays was spent at the park or on bikes.

children/teenagers need more not less. and the more non structured the better!!!

BTW - care to cite which AU players are suffering injuries as a result of not being given an 'off season' during their teenage years???

Jason Spagnuolo, Lucas Pantelis and probably others especially AIS players.
Care to cite one that you know didn't !
You're right off the mark.
I know kids play all year round, but they don't need to be coached in Football 12 months of the year, that is my point.
We explored other games, explored the world around us, exercised our minds.
Ivanovich thinks they should be training and competing 10-12 months a year.
You are saying exactly what I am saying, are you not.
Less structured, with variety.

[MegaBonus]

so are you saying that any injuries that lukas or spags have suffered this year are due to their all year round coaching while teenagers???

Ivanovich thinks they should be training and competing 10-12 months a year.

i would have thought one of the top 5 best players to have ever played here would have some authority to speak on this matter.

maybe he is referring to his own experience and all the other players who he grew up with and went on and represented their country. he would have a better idea of what is required!!!

[Talk Is Cheap]

so are you saying that any injuries that lukas or spags have suffered this year are due to their all year round coaching while teenagers???

Ivanovich thinks they should be training and competing 10-12 months a year.

i would have thought one of the top 5 best players to have ever played here would have some authority to speak on this matter.

maybe he is referring to his own experience and all the other players who he grew up with and went on and represented their country. he would have a better idea of what is required!!!

I didn't start this thread to have a go at Milan and I won't, it was about the philosophy of "only football."
I was hoping to get more than one forumites opinion on the matter.
Milan was a great player no doubt, imposing in stature, very skilful but not the "most" skilful player I have seen however, probably one of the best readers of the game I have seen.
To put him in the top 5 players would only come from an Adelaide perspective and would do plenty of players a disservice. (a group of Australian players recently reached the knockout stage of the World Cup)
The article in the Advertiser was clearly for promotional purposes, and good on him for that, at least it is something.
Who knows what has causes the bout of injuries in younger players, you can't say whether, or not certain things have caused those injuries as there isn't a controlled trial being run, I am merely speculating.
It could be eating habits, computer habits etc.
As a coach Milan has more than likely gained qualifications at all levels. Still, he hasn't proven himself as a Coach on the big stage yet, no doubt he will.
All you really had to do was read the article and say whether you thought he was right or not, not why I am wrong to even suggest he may not be right!

[MegaBonus]

you can suggest what you want (as youre entitled to it) but on what authority are you basing your arguements.

i know his article had a promotional angle to it (my son attends his clinic) but if you speak to him or any oher player who has played at the highest level you will get a better understanding of what it takes to 'make it'.

the current FFA technical director and national coach have all publicly stated that all our players, from junior through to our A'League teams need to be playing more!!!

i havent heard of too many players getting 'physically' burnt out, however, many have given the game away for various other reasons.

nothing personal but you cant slam a person without some credible authority to back you up

[Talk Is Cheap]

you can suggest what you want (as youre entitled to it) but on what authority are you basing your arguements.

i know his article had a promotional angle to it (my son attends his clinic) but if you speak to him or any oher player who has played at the highest level you will get a better understanding of what it takes to 'make it'.

the current FFA technical director and national coach have all publicly stated that all our players, from junior through to our A'League teams need to be playing more!!!

i havent heard of too many players getting 'physically' burnt out, however, many have given the game away for various other reasons.

nothing personal but you cant slam a person without some credible authority to back you up

I'll take it then MegaBonus that you agree with him, thanks and move on.
Unlike you who appear to slam everyone on this forum that disagrees with your personal opinions, I never slammed anyone, read what people say before you attack!
I questioned the philosophy !
I wasn't saying that players all burn out physically, there is such a thing as a mental burn out.
What data do the FFA technical director and national coach have to back their opinions, observations !
Dutchmen, Robert Baan, who will look after the Olympic team and take up the role of Director in July, thought enough of Australian players to recruit Brett Emerton and Robert Holman to Feyenoord whilst Pim Verbeek has hardly set foot in Australia.
I maybe wrong but didn't Australia fair as well as Holland in the World Cup.
I know the comeback will be, that they have great resumes, so what would I know !
Like them I am an observer of the game, particularly in Australia.
I know the answer to this question is not a simple one to answer, but there is no reason why this question can't be asked>

[Squizzy]

I would like to see kids play more football. And there's plenty who do play/train 10 months of the year already - just not the 11-a-side game. This year's Futsal competition at Campbelltown Leisure Centre was their biggest in terms of people playing. And it is a great alternative to the 11-a-side game and helps develop skills brilliantly.

So I guess, I agree in principle BUT I think Futsal would be a better way to go from September to January.

[MegaBonus]

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:33 am Post subject:

Unlike you who appear to slam everyone on this forum that disagrees with your personal opinions, I never slammed anyone, read what people say before you attack!

do yourself a favour and read the following pdf - National football development plan. in particular pay attention to the role that private providers should play!!

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sit ... source.pdf

[Talk Is Cheap]

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:33 am Post subject:

Unlike you who appear to slam everyone on this forum that disagrees with your personal opinions, I never slammed anyone, read what people say before you attack!

do yourself a favour and read the following pdf - National football development plan. in particular pay attention to the role that private providers should play!!

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sit ... source.pdf

Thanks 'Ian Meldrum", I'd already done myself the favour of reading the report, and I had noted that small paragraph on Private Providers...and?


I do agree that 5 aside, 7 aside, Futsal and Beach Football would be good off season alternatives.

[MegaBonus]

are you arguing just for arguementss sake??????


ok... one last time. the FFA commissioned a group of highly respected people in the aust footballing community to travel the world to get an understanding of the games' best practices'. they travelled to brazil, italy england and other european countries.

one of their findings was that our children are not exposed to a high quality of coaching fom a young age and they dont play enough (either supervised or non supervised) football.

this was told to a goup of people who had gathered to listen to Baan here in adelaide at SASI - Valetta road, some time in dec (exact date escapes me). it was organised by the FFSA - john mundy for the purpose of introducing the national development plan, thus heralding a cultural change in the way we do things!!!

how do i know????..... i was present!!!!!

one mushroom asked baan and the other presenters why should we follow what others do???? admittedly, most other guest were close to laughing at the stupidityof the question but with a straight face he was told that they are all world cup winners and we even struggled against asian minnows at the last asian championships!!

please dont take it out on me, send baan an email or even better send the officials in italy, brazil and germany an email expressing your concerns re: children training for 10 months of the year!! (btw - if you structure training properly, it wont be training )

[Talk Is Cheap]

are you arguing just for arguementss sake??????


ok... one last time. the FFA commissioned a group of highly respected people in the aust footballing community to travel the world to get an understanding of the games' best practices'. they travelled to brazil, italy england and other european countries.

one of their findings was that our children are not exposed to a high quality of coaching fom a young age and they dont play enough (either supervised or non supervised) football.

this was told to a goup of people who had gathered to listen to Baan here in adelaide at SASI - Valetta road, some time in dec (exact date escapes me). it was organised by the FFSA - john mundy for the purpose of introducing the national development plan, thus heralding a cultural change in the way we do things!!!

how do i know????..... i was present!!!!!

one mushroom asked baan and the other presenters why should we follow what others do???? admittedly, most other guest were close to laughing at the stupidityof the question but with a straight face he was told that they are all world cup winners and we even struggled against asian minnows at the last asian championships!!

please dont take it out on me, send baan an email or even better send the officials in italy, brazil and germany an email expressing your concerns re: children training for 10 months of the year!! (btw - if you structure training properly, it wont be training )

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:33 am Post subject:

Unlike you who appear to slam everyone on this forum that disagrees with your personal opinions, I never slammed anyone, read what people say before you attack!

do yourself a favour and read the following pdf - National football development plan. in particular pay attention to the role that private providers should play!!

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sit ... source.pdf

Thanks 'Ian Meldrum", I'd already done myself the favour of reading the report, and I had noted that small paragraph on Private Providers...and?


I do agree that 5 aside, 7 aside, Futsal and Beach Football would be good off season alternatives.

Where am I arguing for arguments sake.
You seem to do fine on your own.

[one nil]

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

It depends if I broke a limb or not.
I wasn't inferring that kids would get burnt out from playing, It was the organised training I was referring to. If kids want to kick a ball around, and there is open space, they will kick around, paying for the privilege won't necessarily make it any more constructive.
They don't need qualified supervision 10-12 months a year, that's what Mums and Dads should be doing.
You learn to climb a tree and ride a bike at your own pace.

you will find that the new vision as being promoted by the FFA for junior development promotes the idea that even during 'structured club training' (and i use that term loosely after what ive seen), children should be allowed to 'just play'.

also

unfortunately, mums and dads arent there for whatever reasons. as a result more and more parents are starting to utilise programs like milans during the off season

These are the key words "during the off season"
All we are going to promote is damaged limbs and shortened playing careers, it's already happening in AFL and look at AU.
Kids bones and muscles need variety...they need an off season.

:? Sorry mate, but you are WAAAYYY off the mark. I respect your opinion but you are seriously mis-informed. Our kids do not play anywhere near enough soccer which in turn is hurting their natural and structured development. Your argument about promoting damaged limbs is really not valid at all.

[Talk Is Cheap]

Talk Is Cheap Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

It depends if I broke a limb or not.
I wasn't inferring that kids would get burnt out from playing, It was the organised training I was referring to. If kids want to kick a ball around, and there is open space, they will kick around, paying for the privilege won't necessarily make it any more constructive.
They don't need qualified supervision 10-12 months a year, that's what Mums and Dads should be doing.
You learn to climb a tree and ride a bike at your own pace.

you will find that the new vision as being promoted by the FFA for junior development promotes the idea that even during 'structured club training' (and i use that term loosely after what ive seen), children should be allowed to 'just play'.

also

unfortunately, mums and dads arent there for whatever reasons. as a result more and more parents are starting to utilise programs like milans during the off season

These are the key words "during the off season"
All we are going to promote is damaged limbs and shortened playing careers, it's already happening in AFL and look at AU.
Kids bones and muscles need variety...they need an off season.

:? Sorry mate, but you are WAAAYYY off the mark. I respect your opinion but you are seriously mis-informed. Our kids do not play anywhere near enough soccer which in turn is hurting their natural and structured development. Your argument about promoting damaged limbs is really not valid at all.

Thanks for your opinion!

[finderskeeper]

Hey Talk Is Cheap, you do realise this is a Coaching Football forum.
Expect fireworks.

[MegaBonus]

regardless, theres still a lot of love in here!!!!

do you coach anywhere TIC???

[Talk Is Cheap]

Hey Talk Is Cheap, you do realise this is a Coaching Football forum.
Expect fireworks.

I knew that, but this is a forum nonetheless.

The simple definition of a Forum is... it's a online community with a open discussion that allows you to 'Post' questions or queries related to a specific topic.

In response to MegaBonus:

do you coach anywhere TIC???

Possibly not any more, it might cost me $1000 if I did. I'll need to do an accredited course and register.
I've read somewhere (Coaching in 2008 Season) that anyone caught coaching or managing and not accredited by FFA will be fined $1000.
If this is across the board, why, and how does this help promote the game, or is this just specific to the Junior Premier League.
Police clearances I agree with totally.

I think this brief excerpt below helps explain my viewpoint on the "extended season."
Often the break between seasons gives the footballer's body time to recover from nagging injuries.
These footballing kids (and possibly their parents) will want to achieve their dreams and if the standard is to train all year round they will fall behind if they take a break to recover properly (so they won't take time out).
The dream to succeed will possibly make these young players ignore their injuries and train on. I personally played for 30 years (admittedly not at the elite level) and missed only 2-3 games through injury, despite having plenty of injuries (I would never admit to being injured back then).
I would spend the summer recovering from ankle and knee problems by walking and swimming along the beach at Grange or Henley.
Many of my peers who achieved a higher standard also played indoor and outdoor football through the summer and are now riddled with arthritic pain in many joints. I thankfully am free of this ailment.
I guess then that my observations come from personal experience.
Also, many Australian youngsters seem to be making their mark overseas already, what did their coaches do right.
Where's the FFA publicity for these players.
I apologise for going on, but I believe that unless we get a good free to air coverage of our great sport the coaches will be fighting a losing battle against other codes.

Life Skills Development in High-Level Sport
Patricia Miller
Faculty of Physical Education and Health
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
Paper presented at the 7th International Post-Graduate Seminar on Olympic Studies
Olympia, Greece
May – June, 1999
Coaches expressed significant agreement with images of sacrifice, risk taking, injury and playing hurt in competitive sport Nixon (1994b), leading the researcher to conclude coaches demonstrated ambivalence towards pain and injury and expected athletes to risk their short and long term physical health.
Nixon (1996) acknowledged injury free sport was unrealistic, but asserted coaches, athletic trainers and administrators should restrict conditions which give rise to excessive risks of chronic pain, injury and permanent disability.
This research suggests that the benefits of strenuous and prolonged physical training and competition may be outweighed by deference and disregard of pain and injury, leading to diminished long-term health of athletes. Even more alarming is the pervasiveness of this culture of pain and injury among those entrusted with the care of athletes, namely coaches and athletic therapists.
Overall, it seems the most basic life skill stemming from participation in sport and physical activity, the acquisition of a healthy, active lifestyle, may be less intrinsic than originally thought, especially for athletes strongly committed to high-level sport. Although efforts are being made to redress some of these concerns through research and programming, the problems seem well ingrained in the sport culture and extremely resistant to change.

[Željko Jurin]

Hey Talk Is Cheap, you do realise this is a Coaching Football forum.
Expect fireworks.

I knew that, but this is a forum nonetheless.

The simple definition of a Forum is... it's a online community with a open discussion that allows you to 'Post' questions or queries related to a specific topic.

In response to MegaBonus:

do you coach anywhere TIC???

Possibly not any more, it might cost me $1000 if I did. I'll need to do an accredited course and register.
I've read somewhere (Coaching in 2008 Season) that anyone caught coaching or managing and not accredited by FFA will be fined $1000.
If this is across the board, why, and how does this help promote the game, or is this just specific to the Junior Premier League.
Police clearances I agree with totally.

I think this brief excerpt below helps explain my viewpoint on the "extended season."
Often the break between seasons gives the footballer's body time to recover from nagging injuries.
These footballing kids (and possibly their parents) will want to achieve their dreams and if the standard is to train all year round they will fall behind if they take a break to recover properly (so they won't take time out).
The dream to succeed will possibly make these young players ignore their injuries and train on. I personally played for 30 years (admittedly not at the elite level) and missed only 2-3 games through injury, despite having plenty of injuries (I would never admit to being injured back then).
I would spend the summer recovering from ankle and knee problems by walking and swimming along the beach at Grange or Henley.
Many of my peers who achieved a higher standard also played indoor and outdoor football through the summer and are now riddled with arthritic pain in many joints. I thankfully am free of this ailment.
I guess then that my observations come from personal experience.
Also, many Australian youngsters seem to be making their mark overseas already, what did their coaches do right.
Where's the FFA publicity for these players.
I apologise for going on, but I believe that unless we get a good free to air coverage of our great sport the coaches will be fighting a losing battle against other codes.

Life Skills Development in High-Level Sport
Patricia Miller
Faculty of Physical Education and Health
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
Paper presented at the 7th International Post-Graduate Seminar on Olympic Studies
Olympia, Greece
May – June, 1999
Coaches expressed significant agreement with images of sacrifice, risk taking, injury and playing hurt in competitive sport Nixon (1994b), leading the researcher to conclude coaches demonstrated ambivalence towards pain and injury and expected athletes to risk their short and long term physical health.
Nixon (1996) acknowledged injury free sport was unrealistic, but asserted coaches, athletic trainers and administrators should restrict conditions which give rise to excessive risks of chronic pain, injury and permanent disability.
This research suggests that the benefits of strenuous and prolonged physical training and competition may be outweighed by deference and disregard of pain and injury, leading to diminished long-term health of athletes. Even more alarming is the pervasiveness of this culture of pain and injury among those entrusted with the care of athletes, namely coaches and athletic therapists.
Overall, it seems the most basic life skill stemming from participation in sport and physical activity, the acquisition of a healthy, active lifestyle, may be less intrinsic than originally thought, especially for athletes strongly committed to high-level sport. Although efforts are being made to redress some of these concerns through research and programming, the problems seem well ingrained in the sport culture and extremely resistant to change.

Very recent study

MY opinion, Milan is right!!! But......the emphasise is PLAY. The kids need to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY. That is different to train, train, train

In Australia we have too many sports that most of the world dont play (eg) cricket, AFL, netball, swimming (there are maybe 5 countries that are any good, and clasify it as national sport).
Therefore, kids in Australia are still playing some sort of "SPORT" 10-12 months of the year anyway.
In Europe and South America they do the same, but play "FOOTBALL" 10-12 months of the year

[Talk Is Cheap]

Very recent study

MY opinion, Milan is right!!! But......the emphasise is PLAY. The kids need to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY. That is different to train, train, train

In Australia we have too many sports that most of the world dont play (eg) cricket, AFL, netball, swimming (there are maybe 5 countries that are any good, and clasify it as national sport).
Therefore, kids in Australia are still playing some sort of "SPORT" 10-12 months of the year anyway.
In Europe and South America they do the same, but play "FOOTBALL" 10-12 months of the year

The report is only 8 years old and discusses athletes attitudes that wouldn't have changed much since then, athletes want to succeed.
(the rolling eyes just illustrate arrogance and a condescending attitude)
I love football, but to say Australia has too many sports is a ridiculous statement.
We are or have been world champions in cricket, rugby, swimming, hockey, netball and probably some other sports that escape me at present, and I would think that AFL will be reasonably popular for a while yet. Variety is one of Australia's greatest attributes. From a population point of view Australia does fairly well in many sports and you will never get rid of the sporting diversity here.
Football has to survive in that diversity, we have the numbers participating but don't have the support to match....why ?

These articles from this forum echo some of my thoughts.

http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/vi ... hp?t=15693

http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/vi ... hp?t=15402
Particularly some of Sir Bobby Charlton's comments

http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/vi ... hp?t=13705

[Željko Jurin]

Very recent study

MY opinion, Milan is right!!! But......the emphasise is PLAY. The kids need to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY. That is different to train, train, train

In Australia we have too many sports that most of the world dont play (eg) cricket, AFL, netball, swimming (there are maybe 5 countries that are any good, and clasify it as national sport).
Therefore, kids in Australia are still playing some sort of "SPORT" 10-12 months of the year anyway.
In Europe and South America they do the same, but play "FOOTBALL" 10-12 months of the year

The report is only 8 years old and discusses athletes attitudes that wouldn't have changed much since then, athletes want to succeed.
(the rolling eyes just illustrate arrogance and a condescending attitude)
I love football, but to say Australia has too many sports is a ridiculous statement.
We are or have been world champions in cricket, rugby, swimming, hockey, netball and probably some other sports that escape me at present, and I would think that AFL will be reasonably popular for a while yet. Variety is one of Australia's greatest attributes. From a population point of view Australia does fairly well in many sports and you will never get rid of the sporting diversity here.
Football has to survive in that diversity, we have the numbers participating but don't have the support to match....why ?

These articles from this forum echo some of my thoughts.

http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/vi ... hp?t=15693

http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/vi ... hp?t=15402
Particularly some of Sir Bobby Charlton's comments

http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/vi ... hp?t=13705

Listen, you asked for an opinion, I gave you mine !!!!!

roll, wink, happy face, whatever. Arrogant, no, it's MY OPINION, which you asked for. The study is closer to 9 years, not 8, if you think that's recent, that's your opinion. But I dont think it is

You said
"Let the kids play cricket, lifesaving, tennis etc and find out what they are truly gifted at, if it is football it will take precedence."
AND
"They need time out with summer sports to develop their other skills."


Milan says playing football 10-12 months of the year, YOU say different types of sports 10-12 months of the year. What's the difference then, what are you trying to say with your quoted study back in 1999 about too much physical activity ????? Yet you say they should be playing different summer sports to develop their other skills.
Hence your study says, play football, say MAR - OCT (8 mths) then a summer sport to develop their other skills. So summer is DEC - FEB (3 mths), that equals 11 months.

SO what is the difference with what you are saying and what Milan says ????? You are both saying playing a sport, some sort of sport, for 10-12 months

[MegaBonus]

i don want to rub it in but you know you cited an article which contradicts what you are saying

In my opinion to get kids playing more football from a younger age is the most important thing.

third article, last line of 3rd paragraph!!!

[Talk Is Cheap]

[johnydep]

Milan Ivanovich claims that kids should be training for football 10-12 months a year.
To me that is part of the problem, kids are playing (training) way too much.
They need time out with summer sports to develop their other skills.
With that all year regime kids will burn out way too early and you'll end up with teams full of footballing robots.
Some parents who are volunteers need time out too.
Let the kids play cricket, lifesaving, tennis etc and find out what they are truly gifted at, if it is football it will take precedence.
No harm in talking about it.

It was a good article (or infomercial), I understand what Milan is saying; don't give the kids a chance to forget what they've learnt, give them structure.

With my 10 yeare old son I have checked out several academies, all were good but none ticked all the boxes. My son has enjoyed all of them, he loves to play the game; there's that word, play. Thinking back now, my son had the most fun at one academy that used a lot more games to teach technique (rather than constant drills).

After the last two years effort with club soccer, academies and one stint of futsal I decided to have a decent holiday from it all. One month later and my son is nagging me "when am I playing again..... when does the season start.... I like Milan's ideas" (he read the article).

Today I took both my kids to the park to play soccer, I was surprised, the step-over, cryuff, all the moves and his kicking were superb. Nothing had been lost from the month break.

I think, as parents, we worry too much.

The only thing I fear of academies is that they'll burn out the childrens football brain, kill their enthusiasm and love of the game. Not purposefully, just from trying to show parents how good they are.

Keep it fun, include lots of other activities (swimming, athletics, touch footy, etc), take them to live games, watch the highlights on TV, talk tactics and explain coaching, player and ref decisions.
Keep away from computer games (couple of hours a week should be the max), don't abuse players, coaches and refs (kids don't understand yet), explain to them why we get angry and yell at the ref and sometimes the players and coach.

I doubt that I have answered your question, I think that there are too many variables. Our kids will tell us when it's too much, we just have to listen.

[Talk Is Cheap]

Milan Ivanovich claims that kids should be training for football 10-12 months a year.
To me that is part of the problem, kids are playing (training) way too much.
They need time out with summer sports to develop their other skills.
With that all year regime kids will burn out way too early and you'll end up with teams full of footballing robots.
Some parents who are volunteers need time out too.
Let the kids play cricket, lifesaving, tennis etc and find out what they are truly gifted at, if it is football it will take precedence.
No harm in talking about it.

It was a good article (or infomercial), I understand what Milan is saying; don't give the kids a chance to forget what they've learnt, give them structure.

With my 10 yeare old son I have checked out several academies, all were good but none ticked all the boxes. My son has enjoyed all of them, he loves to play the game; there's that word, play. Thinking back now, my son had the most fun at one academy that used a lot more games to teach technique (rather than constant drills).

After the last two years effort with club soccer, academies and one stint of futsal I decided to have a decent holiday from it all. One month later and my son is nagging me "when am I playing again..... when does the season start.... I like Milan's ideas" (he read the article).

Today I took both my kids to the park to play soccer, I was surprised, the step-over, cryuff, all the moves and his kicking were superb. Nothing had been lost from the month break.

I think, as parents, we worry too much.

The only thing I fear of academies is that they'll burn out the childrens football brain, kill their enthusiasm and love of the game. Not purposefully, just from trying to show parents how good they are.

Keep it fun, include lots of other activities (swimming, athletics, touch footy, etc), take them to live games, watch the highlights on TV, talk tactics and explain coaching, player and ref decisions.
Keep away from computer games (couple of hours a week should be the max), don't abuse players, coaches and refs (kids don't understand yet), explain to them why we get angry and yell at the ref and sometimes the players and coach.

I doubt that I have answered your question, I think that there are too many variables. Our kids will tell us when it's too much, we just have to listen.

Cheers and thanks,
I wasn't looking to people to answer the question, it was more about discussing the question!

[Black Hawk]

I agree they should be training 10-11 months of the year. The Australian technical skills are well behind the leading countries. I agree with many pundits that Australia struggles to retain the ball at international level relys too much on grit and determination.

My experience is that boys 11-13 play too many games and their trainings are not structured towards long term development rather they are targeted towards producing a winning team for their school, a winning team for SAPSASA, a winning team for their club, a winning team for their zone all by seperate coaches within one year. If they make a State team group then that coach prepares them to win as well. Then they have 4 months off.

A coordinated 11 month program with an appropriate number of competitive games would produce a better result.

Overlay this with a player with a deep love and passion for the game who cannot play enough with the ball whilst at home then you might produce another Harry Kewell.

[Talk Is Cheap]

I agree they should be training 10-11 months of the year. The Australian technical skills are well behind the leading countries. I agree with many pundits that Australia struggles to retain the ball at international level relys too much on grit and determination.

My experience is that boys 11-13 play too many games and their trainings are not structured towards long term development rather they are targeted towards producing a winning team for their school, a winning team for SAPSASA, a winning team for their club, a winning team for their zone all by seperate coaches within one year. If they make a State team group then that coach prepares them to win as well. Then they have 4 months off.

A coordinated 11 month program with an appropriate number of competitive games would produce a better result.

Overlay this with a player with a deep love and passion for the game who cannot play enough with the ball whilst at home then you might produce another Harry Kewell.

I didn't think technically we were too far behind Italy, and they won the Cup.
What system produced Harry Kewell ?
I believe there are plenty of Harry Kewells, Mark Schwartzers, Mark Vidukas, Tim Cahills etc. out there.