Simon Ireland - Part I
Perspectives on Youth Player Development
Simon as a young player in the Australian professional league
With 40 years experience, Simon is a 3rd generation professional player and coach.
Simon is recognized as being one of the best players to play in the US over the past 25 years. Simon played for a brief time with the San Jose Blackhawks (which became Clash & Earthquakes) and turned down multiple offer to play in the MLS after being one of the top players in the MLS draft. He was considered the leading player for US Open Cup Champions San Jose Oaks and co-coached the team. The Oaks went onto to play in the CONCACAF Championship vs Monterrey (Mexico). In England, he trained with Dennis Wise, Fairweather, Craig, Vinnie Jones at Wimbledon and played Chelsea and for Walton & Hersham for a brief period. He was scouted by Hearts of Midlothian and lined up with Arsenal legend Ian Wright for Crystal Palace. In Czech Republic, he played for a short time with Sparta Prague but wasn't able to sign due to a broken ankle. In Austria he was with Linz. In college, he spent a year alongside US soccer legend Roy Wegerle at USF in Florida and for a brief time played with NAIA Champions in Boca Raton., considered the best college team in the USA. He was MVP and leading scorer of the Soccer America Lake Placid indoor international team and in Australia he was selected for the Queensland Mens outdoor and indoor teams vs Fiji, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal in the 1988 tour. He turned down a trial with Australian Champions St George Budapest. After returning to New Zealand from a stint in Canada with NASL club Montreal Manic and training with Barcelona and Southampton with his brothers, as a 17 year old he was considered a phenom after scoring a hat trick in his first team debut for Christchurch United in the National League alongside 7 players who had recently returned from the 1982 FIFA World Cup vs Brazil, Scotland and Russia. In Brisbane, Queensland he was a standout for Gold Coast in an exhibition match vs Brisbane City as a 17 year old, scoring a memorable goal beating 4 City defenders. He was then selected to play for Brisbane Lions mens team where he starred in the Queensland Cup Final.
He has directed & managed day & resident clinics/camps and createtd directed & managed European team tours for youth players, for boys and girls, and coached, with clubs, National Associations, Federations, worldwide: Blsany, Slavia Prague, Admira Wacker & MTK Budapest, Liverpool, Chelsea, Blackburn, Olympique Lyonnais, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Sparta Prague, Spartak Moscow, Celtic, Corinthians Sao Paolo, and Conceptualized and managed collaborative project with the Japanese Travel Bureau (JTB) & FIFA for 50+ Japanese youth players to attend a soccer camp & English language lessons in the USA during the 1994 World Cup. Promoted and partnered with J- League team Hiroshima San Frecce end endorsed by FIFA. Simon is the co-founder and Technical Director of Silicon Valley based youth club PSV Union FC in California.
Over the course of his career, Simon has acquired a wealth of knowledge and continues to develop contacts through work experience on four continents. He has worked as a professional coach in England, Czech Republic, Dubai, Indonesia, Hungary, Australia, Brunei, as well as many regions in the USA. Simon was a personal assistant to Wiel Coerver in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) at the Al Wasl Club and an assistant to Mr Coerver at several of his U.S. camps, helping to establish the Coerver Method worldwide. In 1988 he was also responsible for the introduction, promotion and establishment of Wiel Coerver’s ‘Method’ in Australia and New Zealand. He and his brother Gary were the first coaches to bring the renowned skills training method to both Australia and New Zealand, invited by State and National Associations in both countries. Simon made an immediate impact upon the Northern California coaching scene satisfying the needs of a large pool of potentially talented youth soccer players. Years later, after developing a coaching network of top class professional youth coaches Simon continues to have an impact on the Northern California soccer community by setting the highest standards of teaching and mentoring young coaches. Many players in Simons training programs have progressed to the highest levels of the game. Through Simon's skills and tactical training methods, players have had the opportunity to further their respective soccer careers by going on to nationally ranked soccer colleges in the US.
Q: Do you believe in fixed systems of play for youth players?
A: No. Fixed Systems for young players more often than not typecast players and psychologically inhibits/limits them to a narrow perspective........better that players at least experience the 'whole field' to develop an all round understanding of the different dynamics/vision required to play in those 'other' positions.
Q: It’s often seen that organizations throw away the old for the new. Playing trends seem to come and go but there isn't too much 'new' in football is there? In what way have all of these 'methods' and 'systems' changed football other than more structure and improved fitness. Has it helped create better, more creative footballers?
A: Besides the very top echelons of the game, where science & technology has added some benefits for the elite level pro players, there is nothing new in football. The lexicon of football continues to add chic new phraseology pushed out by salaried directors of the game who are trying to justify their positions & the media frenzy for sensationalism don't help, but practically, you cannot say that there is anything in the game today that has changed the player/ball relationship. You still have to get out there, spend the time, and produce the goods.]
Q: How important is it for players to be able to make up their own mind where they want to play?
A: It's very Important to try and give young players plenty of latitude when looking at positional play.........what is their 'natural inclination'? Where do they function with the most effectiveness ? Even then, that preferred 'positional choice' can/will continue to shift based on experiential, physical and psychological growth.
Q: At what age should players start to nail down a position?
A: A player should never be nailed down into one position when the are young and still developing. However, for practical reasons, if pressed to do so, I would say by 16 years of age most kids will have an idea about what that position is, but, it can also change significantly depending on the style of play and their own physiological and psychological growth into adulthood. And, because, I believe that there are only four 'special positions' on a field-not 11: A Goal Scorer; a Goalkeeper; a 360 degree player; and 180 degree player. Even at the professional level, players are molded into positions whenever necessary. Also, the concept of 'Total Football' which I believe in, means players should be interchangeable. Systems by definition are not conducive to creativity.
Q: If you had a choice to have a player dribble the ball as long and as often as possible vs. teach adult game tactics and strategy to younger players, which one would it be?
A: I do tell kids NOT to pass it, unless they have to. Running a ball is priceless and should be encouraged when they are younger. Passing is the easy bit you bring into their game as they are more confident in possession
Q: At what ages should players start to play on larger fields?
A: Since the best way to improve a player is to keep a session in tight spaces to promote quick thinking, high quality control, dribbling and passing, with fast intelligent decision making, a 3v3, up to 6v6 format provides everything young players need. But for 11v11, I would say around 14 year of age. The trouble is, youth football has such huge physiological discrepancy that some of the kids at 14 look like 19 year olds and some look like 12 year olds.
Q: Do you think that players younger than, say, 10 years of age, should be punting the ball?
A: No. Certainly not punting the length of a field, or even past half way....if it is kept as a volleyed pass to a team mate with purpose, I can accept that if the target is in their own half of the field.
Q: Would the same apply to long free kicks and corner kicks?
A: Maybe change the traditional corner kick at the younger ages to 'possession from the corner spot' with 10 yards of space to dribble in with the ball. Be creative.. Why do all the rules of the game have to be applied from the World Cup & Pro levels to the grass roots levels? And as far as free kicks go, I think at the younger ages, all free kicks would be better taken indirect. I remember Wiel Coerver telling me about the argument he got into with Charles Hughes from the English FA about taking short corners. Wiel wanted young phenom Roderick Thomas (the greatest player the world never heard of!) to get the ball short from the corner and run at defenders but Charles Hughes didnt agree with him. I think that was why Wiel resigned if i recall correctly. This made a big impression on me.
Q: There is a growing trend in youth football to 'force' players to play through the lines and not look to play it 'long' - How much flexibility do you allow players to decide for themselves and break the mold?
A: Ignoring the essential skill of the Long Pass, the Cross Field Ball, the Searching Ball into space, is a disservice to the kids........they need to be able to explore their horizons and picking out a searching pass that is timely, accurate and with purpose is a tremendous skill employed by the best in the game. When executed well, it is definitely a skill of the highest degree.
Q: Should teams be looking to always play out of the back?
A: No. Theres nothing wrong with throwing or playing a meaningful ball forwards 'with purpose'. Obviously punting aimless balls for territorial gain should be discouraged.
Q: Do you think that more games make better players?
A: No. Neither do labels, systems, or coaching badges. Learning how to use the ball the right way, starting at the younger ages, makes for better players......
Q: What are your thoughts on small sided game options?
A: I would say that small sided games are an absolute essential training component for young players. Too much time & space (big field) only slows down the thought process.
Q: What about 1 v 1 or even 1 v 2?
A: Very very important! It encourages/requires quick wit, fast thought, tight control, attacking vision, defensive shape and constant repetition/competition. It's some of the hardest work you can ever perform in football training...........illuminates much of a players skill set in a small area. Numbers down forces a player to call upon all of their qualities and vision. Vision for the second defender. It's easy to beat the first defender. Most players get in trouble after they do so because they havent studies the situation after the fact and don't know where the covering player is. Your movement away from the first defender has to be determined by the covering players position and proximity. This should be contemplated before receiving the ball or at the very least before a player decides to beat or lose their immediate opponent.
Q: Why do you think clubs often select the athletes at the youngest age groups.
A: To win. To generate revenue. Ego.
Q:I s an athlete at 8 going to be an athlete at 16?
A: Nature and/or serious hard work will decide this. But, no guarantees from 8 to 16, or 16 to 22.
Q: It's well known that players in the US and all over the world are picked for their athleticism, but why in the US does it backfire on us because the criticism of US players is that technique and touch isn't where it should be. Is it because the college recruiting system needs athletic players first and isn't designed to produce national team players?
A: College and player development are not cohesive or collaborative. It is well known that the US national program has maintained its prominence/ dominance on their physical strengths. The technical game has struggled for a long time.
Q: When does the recruiting age for a US college bound player effectively end for a youth player?
A: These days, at the top end of college, and unless a player has been hiding out and been missed by the scouting system, I think it’s done around 15.
Q: How can coaches or clubs encourage creativity?
A: It's environmental. If kids are passionate, then they will devise their own methods of improving themselves, but, the reality is, its not for everyone and thats the struggle- There are simply not enough kids in the game who do this. Players should be kicking the ball up against a wall, at the park on their own or with friends, juggling, dribbling a ball when they go to the store, go for a jog with a ball at your feet......
Q: What type of supplementary training/practice would you suggest players/coaches do?
A: If they want to be good, do what every good player in football history has had to do before us....Go out and introduce yourself to the ball, every day. Do all this, and then some.
Q: What about impersonation and imitation? Did you try to copy another players style when you were young or try to play in the likeness of another player or try their movement as a player?
A: that is exactly how it was from the first time I can recall. As a kid on the street and at school during EVERY recess, watching the 'big' kids play and then trying to imitate. And hoping one day to be good enough to get into the recess games at school. The way they control, dribble, pass, talk, protect, see the field, connect with each other in very fast & tight spaces on a hard asphalt school yard. It was fantastic. At one school, we had 'King of the Kop'. Anyone and everyone could challenge the then current King (the title could change back and forth between several kids) to a 1 v 1 game with small goals. Rule: Winner was King. Simple but absolutely enthralling to watch and then one day, over time, thrilling to be the chosen (decided by the King) contestant. As I got older, maybe 10 or so, that sharpness and knowledge from playing tight fast spaces and watching smarter bigger stronger players and copying as much as I could remember, those skills had given me a really sound base to build my own game on. And so it continued, as I watched the Very Best that we could, on only a few minuets a week of football on TV. My heroes, the ones I most had to see whenever possible, were always those players whose ability on the ball was so smooth and composed. To me, the game is bigger than winning. It is entertainment. And because I always could see it and tried to play it, as a human art form, that is the kind of player I will watch.
Q: Many modern coaches frown on players waiting lines in training in order to reduce the amount of time 'wasted' waiting for turns. You once said that you would skip a turn in shooting to get near or behind a good shooter so you could watch them strike and heard the sound of the connection.
A: Oh yes. Absolutely. The many things you can learn by being in close proximity to a strike are priceless. I learned to watch of course, all elements of the strike. From flight of the pass, to your approach, to pre-strike shape, etc etc.......and then I learned to hear the strike. There is absolutely no doubt that you can close your eyes and hear the quality of the strike. It's another dimension of striking that players can learn from each others actions.
Q: We hear about players needing to get 1,000 touches on the ball. Is it the amount of touches you take or the quality which you make them?
A: Always the quality. In this case, the definition of 'touch' is too broad. Sure, of course lots of touches can be great, but much more so if they are relevant, especially to the skills building that players need at younger ages.
Q: Many people used say to you that you were a naturally gifted player and had a special talent with the ball because of your seamless and elegant movement and ease when you beat players. For example after you scored a hatrick against Santa Clara you went for a run in the hills after the game. You also did lots of stadium steps. How much did your superior fitness and running on your own help your performance?
A: It's nice to know some people enjoyed my attempt at art. Scoring against Santa Clara is hardly a benchmark though. The college game was and still is largely naive. I mean, they were kids with no real experience, so it was like playing against a youth team. To be fair, I did play with good college players. And yes, I would often 'cool down' with a run or bike in the hills. Fitness is the base and a very important aspect of the game for me. Even if you can 'use' the ball better, you can not ever hope to win a game without hard physical work. Long, middle and short distance work. The great Barca team (with Messi, Xavi, Dani Alves & Iniesta for example) were also the team that ran more than anyone else in every game.
