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Match Analysis
I would like to take this opportunity to write to both the parents
and the coaches in the FC America family. I hope to extend my
coach’s corner section for several series on what I consider to be
an important part for the coach and spectator of this sport. Match
analysis has been used effectively for an extremely long time in
this sport. Many coaches and soccer aficionados will have different
opinions on what true match analysis should consist of. Match
analysis by my definition is the ability to understand a player’s
effectiveness and identify the factors that are underlying their
success or lack of success in this sport. In this series, I plan on
providing a guide for both the coach and the parent in their match
analysis skills. I’d like to start with the parents first.
Parents are fortunately and unfortunately our harshest critics. By
us, I mean the player and the coach. Match analysis for the parent
should involve observing what their son or daughter does in training
and game situations. The pressure of winning often overshadows the
true reason why a parent watches their children play sports. I watch
my six year old boy play recreational soccer and all I want to see
is progression every time he plays. My match analysis consists of
(4) major areas; BASICS, MENTAL, PHYISICAL and finally SKILLS. The
first three are the areas where the parents can be a tremendous help
for their child and the coach.
BASICS – running, jumping, direction change, stopping, eye/hand
coordination, and eye/foot coordination. Is my child progressing
each time he/she plays in these areas? If so, it doesn’t matter to
me if he/she lost Saturday’s game. My match analysis would consist
of watching my child play and honestly evaluating each of those
areas. If there is a deficiency in any one of these areas, my child
and I will work on them together!
Running – is he/she running properly, are feet and hands moving in
coordination
Jumping – same as above
Stopping – is he/she judging distance correctly?
Direction change – means he/she is anticipating and adapting
Eye/hand and eye/foot – coordination comes through repetition!
MENTAL – motivation, alertness, concentration, persistence, self
confidence, creativity, and anxiety. This is an area where parents
at times will have a better understanding than the coach. I look for
my child to exhibit all of these characteristics during training and
games. Each characteristic is a teaching moment for child and
parent. Reward positive behavior and address negative behavior. This
is a huge part of my match analysis for my child. This is an area at
the younger age groups where the real benefit comes from team
sports, not winning!
PHYSICAL – age, height, weight, structure, speed, endurance,
strength, balance, flexibility, agility, and coordination. All areas
I can analyze as a parent and be able to place realistic
expectations on my child.
SKILLS – passing, receiving, running with the ball/dribbling,
shielding, shot (locking ankle), heading, tackling, vision (head up
while playing), making correct decisions, and first touch
(trapping). This is where the coach/trainer comes in. The coach
should provide the ability to teach these skills. Are these skills
being taught? Is my child progressing in each of these areas? Is my
coach a facilitator? All good questions and ones that should be
asked definitely at the younger age groups U12 and down
I strongly recommend that the parent adopt the ability to match
analyze instead of match criticize. Positives can always be taken
out of negatives. My son recently was given an objective by me to do
at least one sighted or unsighted turn (skill for changing
directions) during his game or practice. Completion of this
objective would be a reward, set by him and I. His team lost 4-3
that day, but my son was rewarded because he completed an unsighted
turn by saving the ball from going out of bounds. I cheered and
yelled like the other parents. I was so proud of him and the same
could be said for him. His enthusiasm on pleasing me, the team and
himself was a pure joy to watch. He now works on the skill daily
every time he plays. New objectives are always set between him and I
for each training session and game. Some objectives are met, some
are not but each time I watch him play, I analyze these (4) areas. I
want him to develop first, and then we will tackle winning as he
progresses.
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