Independent Player Journey
Independent Player Journey (IPJ) is an acronym I invented to draw attention to the fact that many of the ‘player development’ coin words and terminologies actually have little do with individual player development.
Popular and common words today touting avenues and solutions to better develop players include ‘programs,’ ‘platforms,’ ‘showcases,’ ‘pathways,’ ‘development programs,’ ‘development academies,’ ‘player development.’
The events included under these umbrellas are, for the most part, occasional gatherings and tryouts for either pre-selected and identified players OR players who pay to get seen. In the fundraising and investment communities, the pay-to-pitch gig has long been seen as a way to exploit, capitalize and monetize entrepreneurs’ aspirations and, in reality, take advantage of the desperation of entrepreneurs who are seeking contacts and access to funding.
Rondos, 5 v 2 and 'keep-away' were being played for generations before the current trend and obsessions which has frankly been overdone resulting in players 'keeping the ball' and not risk taking. The regurgitation of expressions and information for financial gain, to ‘brand’ oneself, or to 'one up' other coaches in order to impress on others their knowledge of the sport has little to do with an individual player’s development journey.
Players aren't interested in coach speak and how many drills their coach can run or how many licenses they have. They simply want to improve each practice, and get better with the ball. And many have a vision of how they want to play and what kind of player they want to become. The dream of playing in an iconic stadium and for a historical club and being worshipped by adoring fans was perhaps part of the incentive for Schuster, Maradona, Simonsen, and countless other great players. These dreams are part of the Independent Player Journey, and are part of what drives a player to engage in self-directed practice, create their own games and exercises, and rehearse a skill or technique in an aim to perfect it and master the ball.
I gravitated to Wiel Coerver's material because, like me, he believed and could prove that skills, technique and creativity can be largely demonstrated and taught so individual players could enjoy a special relationship with the ball to form inter-relationships between players and enhance team tactics and strategic options.
Team systems and tactics are limited by the technical ability of its players and re-affirms that movement off the ball is actually derived from better movement with and on the ball, contrary to misinformed tactical and systems based coaches who confusingly apply adult tactics to youth development.
Technically skilled players are able to take their eyes off the ball, they need less time to control the ball & can assess and explore their tactical options sooner and because they have good individual (passing and dribbling) technical skills from which they can select the best tactical option available for themselves and their team. Players who struggle with their first touch lack vision and environmental perspective which in turn impacts their guiding/carrying/dribbling of the ball and delivery/passing/shooting.
Teams and players who play 'negatively' through needless and aimless automated sequencing of collective passing (away from pressure and around defensive blocks by switching point of attack, etc.) are limiting both the team and the individual players’ potential to play not only in a more creative, exciting and entertaining way, but ultimately a more effective way. Incorporating individual ingenuity and optimizing each player’s contribution to the team creates a more successful collective product. Players who can dominate the ball, beat or lose an opponent in any situation is an asset to any team, both in terms of results and the quality of play.
It is for the reasons that we must protect and nurture the Individual Player Journey, and allow each player to learn the game first and foremost through their own personal perspective.
