Coaching creativity and executive skills in youth soccer

“The conclusion of this research was that players with better developed executive functioning skills in these areas have a better chance of succeeding as a football player.” (Glenn van der Kraan)

I love the idea of developing executive functions, creativity and skills. What I miss is the question about the consequences of early specialisation. This sounds a bit like a technique to produce good soccer players from early youth. Intuitively I think about childerns rights, burnout, dropout, …

Replay the streets

“We have found that the loss of street football and kids playing freely outside and being stuck behind computers or on iPads means that we are now need to find a solution. As a result, we are building a Feyenoord playground where the kids will arrive an hour before the session and just play without coaches. That free play is a our way of recreating street football.” (Glenn van der Kraan, Feyenoord Soccer Academy)