Academy players: the coach's role in their success

Without doubt, an individual’s natural football ability will have a bearing on how effective a player they may become, but in the long run, devotion to learning alongside quality, deliberate focused practice will be equally significant in determining how a career may play out.

2% - the percentage of youngsters in the academy system that go on to have professional careers

Youngsters must enjoy playing, learning and practising in equal measure.

There are a wide array of aspects players must develop to give themselves a shot at a professional career. These can be divided into three basic categories.

1. Learning and practising how to do things like receiving to pass, receiving to turn, receiving to dribble or run with the ball, receiving to shoot all with the ball coming at you at varying angles, heights and speeds, how to head the ball in attack and defence, plus how to tackle if necessary.
2. Learning and practising how to use things to become more skilful by regularly applying the above technical routines on demand, under pressure in realistic situations, during matches or training sessions, all of which requires accomplished decision making to an excellent standard. An exceptional technician but a poor decision-maker will be a bad player in the long run. It’s almost better to be an average technician and an exceptional decision-maker.
3. Learning and practising the habits and attitudes which help you gain a deeper knowledge of yourself and how you become the best version of yourself you can be. For the coach, this involves knowing what learning and practice is and the difference between them.

Learning is what you do when you don’t know what to do, but practice is what you do when you do know what to do and want to get better. But neither can be a hit-and-miss affair, and the environment that allows them to flourish involves honesty, integrity, authenticity, positivity and affirmation. If you have not learnt, you cannot practise, but progress often involves both elements working simultaneously and in unison.

The coach’s role

In an academy, the job of the coach is to provide these learning and practice opportunities by producing sessions and matchday experiences that always challenge the best players and are interesting, varied and enjoyable.

The focus should be solidly on progression, not perfection, where mistakes are permitted, exploration and experimentation encouraged, and effort and intent applauded. Results can never be the sole focus or objective of your work as this will compromise your ability to develop the players’ potential. Learning and practice must always be front and centre.

Players at academies have the will and the drive to win but none of them know how good they can be. The coach is there to provide them with the opportunity to find out; creating the environment where they learn to recognise the importance of and strike a balance between winning and mastery.

The task is to build a footballer and equip them for their long audition by helping them understand that as well as being a good learner and skilful technician, they need some other qualities.

• They need a growth mindset where they believe their ability can be advanced through practice. 
• They are ready to embrace the challenges that lie ahead. 
• They are stubborn and persist in the face of setbacks and mistakes.
• They see effort and practice as the road to mastery. 
• They do not have a sense of entitlement, and value criticism and useful feedback. 
• They are humble and inspired by the success of others who may or may not be in their team.

The golden moments

Be ambitious for your players. Your ultimate task is to help your players to get a job in the game and equip them to keep it by preparing them for the challenges they will face technically, physically, psychologically and socially.

Remember, every environment you create is an opportunity for you and your players to learn and practise. Encourage your players to make use of you by asking good questions and arguing their point respectfully and rationally in the pursuit of excellence and elite behaviours. 

Applaud their good play and aim to catch them doing things well. Be on the look-out for golden teaching moments, and be ready to smile and laugh with them, because when they relax and enjoy things, they learn and practise more effectively.