Regarding rebuilding English football from youth (below thread)

Even NCFC's CSF programme seems to be stuck in the English mentality of teaching kids it is all about being a premadonna (sp?)and scoring the most goals. So little teamwork seems to be taught. Kid gets the ball, does a Sturridge and tries to run with the ball until tackled. Bullies the other kids into giving it back and then goes on another run. Kids stood in space, hands in the air begging to be passed to, wasting their time (my son included). Coaches doing nothing to fix it, just applauding the kids trying to go on mazy runs and praising shot after shot after shot. There was even an award for most goals during the half term courses - no awards for teamwork. Pointless when they get to play against any talented players (England FA take note)

It's not just the CSF, but I did think I'd see more there than the typical dad coached sessions in Norwich parks. But I don't. If anything, dads seem more interested, even if their son is always the striker, etc., etc.

Anyone tried Darren Eadie's Langley soccer school? Weekly fulltime soccer summer camps - anyone know if it is any good? My fear is it is still associated with CSF which hasn't really proven that good, in my eyes.

The only alternative I have direct experience of that I can compare with the points above is the club my son went to in Tokyo. All skills based. All coaches are ex J-League and national team players. Training was available pretty much every night after school; targeted classes and open sessions. Drills, skills and teamwork, and matches. Coaches would step in a stop the games if the drills weren't being applied. Clear instruction and clear improvement in the kids. They have excellent coaching there and will possibly continue to improve as a result. Maybe it helps that Japan historically has a large Brazilian community and many Brazilian football schools there also but in general I think the mentality is different; it is coached as a team game and much less about the individual.

Rant over but I wish there were somewhere decent to send my kid to learn.

Posted By: Jester, Jun 28, 23:51:23