The other day I was asked by a player, "Are you assessing me on this session?". It was perhaps one of the most insightful questions ever asked of me by a junior player. And it leads to yet another review of squad selection at both the professional and amateur level.
Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly once famously said that in Liverpool, there were only two teams, " Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves !". Quite simply this was a comment, not on the obvious superiority of Liverpool to Everton at that time, but rather that he had two squads from which to choose his players from week to week and game to game. This selection process was quite a rigorous activity involving Shankly, Paisley and the other coaches, and it was premised on the fact that, with few exceptions, the players competed for that first team and starting position every week. Shankly also exploited his talents as a "man manager" in softening the blow to a player dropped from the first squad to the reserves assuring them that it was temporary and reflected a momentary need for the first team for that particular game. All of his players went through it.
This model puts professional players under the necessary stress to play at the level that is required of them, and ensures that they never let up if they want to keep their position on the field and on the squad. It assists coaches in determining who has the desire to play, who is psychologically ready to play, and who is fit to play. Nothing comes to a player because of who they are, or what they did last week or the week before, it comes to them because they are ready to play for the squad, with their team mates and are ready for the game at hand.
Current Models
Now I am going to avoid the current Liverpool squad because of current depth issues, and I will use the squad of several years ago managed by Rafa Benitez. This was a team that was managed to a fault. Players were used on a rotational basis. Assessments were done almost scientifically. Players like Peter Crouch were used in Champions League games, but not at home, the midfield changed almost weekly. It enabled rest and recuperation and allowed the manager to utilize the teams assets on a game by game basis. It appeared to do away with the competitive aspect of weekly assessments of players, as the players played on an almost union like basis. But the response of the players was one of frustration (Crouch, Bellamy, Keene, Kuyt and Mascherano are some examples) as they did their best week in and out on the field hoping to play in the next game and the one after. It appeared that the need to succeed at training did not matter and they only need to stay healthy to be in the rotation. There was only one team at Liverpool, but they worked on different shifts.
Each model has its own advantages in particular the current model of the rotation. Lowers pressure on the player, they expect to play in certain games, but not in others, assists in rest and recuperation. The initial model fosters competition and requires all players to strive to win a starting position each week. It can sometimes lead to player friction if the players are too competitive in their efforts. This also encourages players to be at their playing best at all times, including games and practices. It also requires the coaches to know how far and hard to press players and when to ease off and let them relax, as it too is a necessary part of the training process.
Youth Approach
Now what? Back to the original question, "Are you assessing me on this session?". The answer quite simply is yes. A player, or any person is always being assessed based upon the activity they are involved in at the time. If they are at a soccer practice or game, the person will be assessed in relation to that activity. A coach is looking at how well the player listens to instructions, how well they pay attention, how they interact with other players, do they respect their teammates, coaches, referees, how well do they execute drills and skills. This list is not exhaustive, and consequently incomplete, but it shows just how many elements are being assessed at every opportunity. Assessment is both active and passive, but it is ongoing and continual. It has to be. If it isn't done, then the process of selecting the right players for a game or game situation cannot be said to be don properly. There are no guarantees and players need to expect to challenge themselves and their team mates to perform at their highest levels to :1. Make the starting line up, and 2. Make a better team.
Coaches must demand this excellence, and must enforce it in order to field and train the best squad each and every week.
SIXTY SECOND GAME
This is a standard 5 v 5 game, using a 25 x 40 field. Ideally use two training nets and keepers in your squad of five. The object of the game is simple. Score a goal and maintain it for 60 seconds. The winner must keep the lead. It encourages a number of skills, both psychological and tactical. The first skill is to press the team that is behind and ideally win possession of the ball and play "keep away" for 60 seconds. For the team that is behind it places pressure on them to score in a limited period of time, and to not quit. It also encourages them to press and win back the ball to attempt to equalize the score. This game can be quite physically demanding and is well suited for fitness training as well. Each game shouldn't last for more than three rounds, and stoppages should not be allowed and balls thrown in immediately by the coaches if the ball goes out of bounds.
Am I being assessed? I will be as soon as I hit "Publish".
Walk On
Hal White
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