Episode 13: Do You Have to Play to Coach?

12/22/2016

How often do you hear people argue that in order to coach at the highest levels you have to have played at the highest levels? Can a non-pro truly understand the nuances and intricacies of the game if they don't have top class experience? It's a myth that has no grounding in reality, but it's still around because of ignorance and misunderstanding.

I wrote an article a few days ago entitled "The Ex-Pro Myth in Modern Coaching" that caused quite a stir, and this week's podcast continues that topic with some expanded discussion on the issue!

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5 Comments

PAUL LAPOINTE

12/23/2016 09:49:33 am

Awesome stuff!

Gustavo Vargas

12/23/2016 12:19:34 pm

Excellent article and podcast episode. Glad to see that some coaches that have not played at a high level are now recognized as some of the best and many new coaches are trying to follow their lead. From Sacchi, Bielsa and Mourinho to now Sampaoli, Emery, Tuchel, Nagelsmann, etc. In the US, this concept of automatically being a great coach because of playing pro or college is still quite prevalent more so than in other countries. Youth and college players that come from a soccer culture or are already exposed to top class football can sniff out if a coach really knows the game almost instantly in the first training session. Other players that are not exposed to quality soccer or do not come from a global soccer background are usually not aware of a coaches quality until much later.

Ioan Florean

12/24/2016 06:26:20 pm

Great stuff, after playing soccer all my life loving the game, felled in love with the game at the same time,still play . I starting coaching 12 years ago, never planned to coach, I started coaching at u6 age group,now I'm coaching at all levels up to sr Men. I was fritening at times in my own mine that things won't be going good at training, but the only think that helped me was my life experiences growing up as a young kid, all the advise I got from my Grandfather in life, and other life experience that I went thru in life, some bed ,and good experiences that make me stronger as a person,I learned alot by necessity, things that I was afraid to try to make mistake, but I keeped going and I didn't give up no mater what.So every time I didn't know how to figure out a drill, I coached base on my life experiences in soccer, ad in life. I had great coaches in soccer that loved the game,and also coaches that knew the game,and some wore just great mentors, and motivators. As a coach I think we should work to anderstand each player differently, and figure out their wickness ,and their strength in what their good about, and what they can be beter.If you want to learn the game and go beyond, the game comes to you. All the best!

Kevin Graham

2/9/2017 09:12:56 am

Hi Paul

Some interesting points here and personally I'm pleased to see that optinion is changing - the sense of entitlement of those who have been pros when it comes to coaching pathways is often very galling.

However, I have to say that in the same way that those ex-pros have a blinkered view that borders on arrogance, sadly so too are many coaches with no playing experience with their desire to project their theory on players, coaches and observers.

Ex pros need to show a willingness to learn how to coach and an acceptance that they do not know it all. Their acquired knowledge is helpful but not enough to get by on. Communication styles, pedagogy, human psychology, science, deeper tactical awareness - lots to consider

Those who haven't played need to learn more about the practical application of their theory - I never see young coaches without experience of the dressing room who are willing to be a kit man/waterboy or some other "coal face" role to understand more about what the outcomes of the coaching process. Those who do will become much more rounded coaches capable of either progressing up the ladder in their career (as far too many IMO want to do) or becoming an expert in their field producing outstanding outcomes in a specialised context.

My playing career was somewhere between the two camps I guess and I think that has helped me to draw inspiration/motivation from both viewpoints.

Mark Courtney link

2/21/2017 01:00:43 pm

Absolutely wonderful piece. The Gold Mine Effect is a must read for every coach, athlete and parent actually ... for many reasons. It's about the best coaches in the world currently and in many different fields. Not is Steven Francis NOT a runner -he is not even athletic for the most part. Yet he created MVP and his Jamaican sprinters are the best the world has ever seen. As well, the other top coaches mentioned in the book ... most were not practitioners in the sport in which they excell at coaching.

Being s true Student of the Game is the most important qualification!

I'm always amazed by the coaches in the states that mentioned how they played in college 20 years ago. Well, the sad truth is that today college soccer is pretty bad ... it was repulsive in the past. Generational regurgitation ... history repeating itself which is quite common unfortunately.
How rare to be able to think outside of the box for most in the States that played the game.
Sure there are a few that are doing well but only a few.
Personally, I was athletic but never knew much about soccer. Started to help my son when he was 8. Started to realize very simple fundamentals were neglected at our Club (experts?) ... and the journey begun for me.
Here's the rub ... there is so much available but most "know it all" so a license or two and with past experience most parents have no clue.
I knew nothing so I studied everything, searched for world class opinions, watch sessions whenever and watch loads of games.
How few even know the difference between kick-ball and actual soccer? How few can even demonstrate proper technical aspects yet they can sure yell as if louder will help with results! And how few actually are able to judge which team actually played better ... the score rarely reflects this!
I'm talking about proper youth development - which is really where it all starts. Sadly, 70% of the kids quit by age 13 and I can't say I blame them.
As my son approached his 12th and as we would try to do more advanced rondo type drills and dozens of times we would pick up a few "Club" players ... it always became apparent they basically disentangle even know how to pass well or even trap the ball sufficently well!!!
For some over 100 games by now yet they didn't even understand "it's about keepaway" and having the skills to do so.
So I always wonder ... do the coaches not see this or do they not care?

Episode 13: Do You Have to Play to Coach?

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