From Great Teams to Great Players

 State Champions 2010 U12C1 Girls

Several years ago I wanted to create great teams. I enjoyed watching the success of the players grow, compete and win tournaments. But then something happened-- I began to watch players that I had once coached successfully fall by the wayside with other coaches. 

Or get cut and thrown away. (Read No Throw Away Kids.)

And I started working with them on the side, growing them and still coaching teams. After awhile I experienced that you can't do both.

You either create great players or great teams, but the attention dedicated to building teams at young ages can hinder the development of the individual based on playing time, aggression, tactics and their effectiveness within the game. 

You have to teach to the middle. And in the 1:16 model of team development you can't always coach one or two players. And you can't create 15 center mids or strikers, you can only really develop two or three at the most.

In order to address the individual I knew I had to change gears and work with the most players I could outside of the club system--that if I was to truly change the focus to long term individual development and growth that I could not do that at any club.

I'd have to create something completely different and innovative. That's why LeftFoot Coaching Academy is for the most part: completely club neutral and changing how we develop players one player at a time.