Re: Development Academies v. Classic/High School

by sukiakiman 11/5/2014, 8:29 pm

Simple...if your kid is good he will be found...soccer players are born not developed

by Maradona 11/5/2014, 10:09 pm

Laimport wrote:I'm thinking Coppell will be dominant in cricket soon....

Happy belated Diwali cheers

by plantit 11/5/2014, 10:51 pm

finish1 wrote:Here is a telling quote from Rakestraw's interview. This is why we play for him and support his programs.

"We watch their grades, keep up with their behavior in classes, we put them on a strength program and have a college-level weight room. We do character building through leadership classes and we have indoor facilities so we can train year round. We see our kids every single day, we get to work on all four pillars of the game. We hit technique, tactics, physical strength and speed, and the mental aspect of the game."

Weight training at a young age can stunt growth . Biometrics is all this coach should be doing until the skeletal structure is fully developed. So toss the fancy weight room out the door dip s* .

by finish1 11/6/2014, 5:26 am

Plantit, dang, bro. We're talking about testosterone filled teenagers here. I don't believe their is any evidence that lifting weights in HS stunts growth for athletes. Tackle football players have been doing it for generations and they seem to be getting bigger every year!

Btw- They also do tons of conditioning training (soccer is still a running game) to improve speed and agility.

by go99 11/6/2014, 8:01 am

I don't think weight training will stunt their growth but much of the weight trainning I have seen being done is the wrong kind. Bulk muscle build requires extra oxygen to be fed and can be a hinderance in an endurance sport. Focus should be on building a lean, fast twitch muscle which biometrics is often better at. So basically if you are lifting like a pointyball player then you are doing it wrong.

by finish1 11/6/2014, 8:35 am

Agreed. Certainly they are not lifting at the same degree as tacklers. On the flip side of the same coin, if weight training is NOT part of your workout schedule by HS, 'you're doing it wrong.'

by go99 11/6/2014, 8:41 am

I believe it was the barcelona academy that said they start on the strength and conditioning at 16

by Laimport 11/6/2014, 8:45 am

sukiakiman wrote:Simple...if your kid is good he will be found...soccer players are born not developed

Not true. Especially in this country. If it were true there'd be no academies.

The level of talent has far surpassed the level of coaching in the US.

In other words, we select talent...don't identify it.

The players identified at the youngest ages are usually physically mature and tend to be one dimensional players. Sure, some of these players are actually talented.

But it's naïve to assume that "if you are good enough you will be found"...

by R1 11/6/2014, 5:31 pm

Lots of fantastic players don't make it in every sport. Yes, you have to be exceptional, but you also need luck and support on your side. Good coach to play you in the right position at right time, good team so your talent isn't hidden by absolutely no support, avoid injuries, have adults around who guide you correctly and help you find opportunities and avoid trouble (parents, coaches, mentors). If you have all that, and combine it with loads of talent, then you have a chance. Without it, talent will be wasted.

by Sponsored content