The Touchline- What is Player Development
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After watching the USWNT have their early exit in this world cup, I knew that this was going to be a hot button topic. Has the world caught up to the USWNT? Are we doing the right thing with player development?
I recently saw a post in a group on Facebook about player development asking “WHAT IS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT?”
Here are my thoughts:
Player development is the process of improving a player’s skills and abilities over time. It is a long-term process that requires dedication and hard work. Player development is not just about improving technical skills, but also about developing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the game and life. A lot of the lessons taught on the field not only help players develop as athletes but, it helps make them better people. While teams/clubs say their focus is player development, you have to do some of the work on your own as well.
There are many ways that players can work on their own to get better without working with their team. Here are some tips:
Practice regularly: The more you practice, the better you will get. Try to practice every day if possible. See my post about training at least18 minutes a day HERE
Set goals: Set specific goals for yourself and work towards achieving them. This will help you stay motivated and focused.
Watch professional players: Watch professional soccer players and learn from their techniques and strategies.
Work on your weaknesses: Identify your weaknesses and work on improving them.
Stay fit: (my own personal hell) Soccer requires a lot of physical fitness, so make sure you are staying in shape by exercising regularly.
Play with others: Find other players to play with and practice your skills in a game-like setting.
Get feedback: Ask your coach or other players for feedback on your performance so you can identify areas for improvement.
