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Does development require always playing tough competition?
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Does development require always playing tough competition?
by Guest 05/02/15, 09:07 am
I read a development focused coach's blog that stated his ideal ratio is 1/3 games against opponents better than his team, 1/3 against on par opponents, and 1/3 against weaker opponents.
I always figured a team should play the toughest comp they can find. It's often repeated, but is there any real evidence playing stiff competition accelerates development? I'd say anecdotal evidence with my own DD is her development mainly improved when NOT playing a bunch of super competitive games. Add to that the teams that play up for years and then find themselves quickly caught when they go back to playing at age. Add to that all the players that show up from a lower level and take spots from top level players who've been in the wars year after year. Add to that the formerly dominant players ive seen that play up on older age group teams, but a few years later look like they've lagged behind or become no better than their at age peers. Is fierce competition overrated?
I always figured a team should play the toughest comp they can find. It's often repeated, but is there any real evidence playing stiff competition accelerates development? I'd say anecdotal evidence with my own DD is her development mainly improved when NOT playing a bunch of super competitive games. Add to that the teams that play up for years and then find themselves quickly caught when they go back to playing at age. Add to that all the players that show up from a lower level and take spots from top level players who've been in the wars year after year. Add to that the formerly dominant players ive seen that play up on older age group teams, but a few years later look like they've lagged behind or become no better than their at age peers. Is fierce competition overrated?
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by Guest 05/02/15, 09:26 am
In short... Yes.
If it is a constant battle, game in and game out. When is there a moment to actually focus on technique. How does one become a technically sound player when everything is rushed and frantic.
Just my crappy opinion, but dabble of all levels is a good thing. Give em the shots to the chin, evenly matched comp., and something where they can do some "chest thumping". Build that love and confidence simultaneously.
If it is a constant battle, game in and game out. When is there a moment to actually focus on technique. How does one become a technically sound player when everything is rushed and frantic.
Just my crappy opinion, but dabble of all levels is a good thing. Give em the shots to the chin, evenly matched comp., and something where they can do some "chest thumping". Build that love and confidence simultaneously.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by Guest 05/02/15, 09:41 am
Borussia wrote:In short... Yes.
If it is a constant battle, game in and game out. When is there a moment to actually focus on technique. How does one become a technically sound player when everything is rushed and frantic.
Just my crappy opinion, but dabble of all levels is a good thing. Give em the shots to the chin, evenly matched comp., and something where they can do some "chest thumping". Build that love and confidence simultaneously.
I agree with everything Borussia is saying. Also, like everything else, every player is different. Some players need to win occasionally to fall in love with the game. Some just show up and play hard not even noticing the score.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by TatonkaBurger 05/02/15, 09:42 am
I agree. I think that is a good ratio. But I don't think a Silver team should play a top platinum team as part of the play better teams 1/3. Getting drilled 9-0 and running around and chasing as the team plays keep away is not good for development. Those better competition games should be against one level up Gold teams, rather than Platinum, in my opinion. There are obviously different skill levels in each division but you get the drift. Play the weak Platinum team not the strongest and work your way up and the girls start to get it.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by Zizou 05/02/15, 10:05 am
In a true academy system combining age groups during training can give you higher Lvl within training that might improve players devolopement without all the pressures of match play. We often train against the 00, 99, and the 01 lakehighlands team. The combination of players within training often gives you great competition, different playing styles, and ability levels.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by SocDad 05/02/15, 10:21 am
IMO.....there is no perfect ratio.
But...teams should play a few teams LESSER skilled teams than they are.
(NO, LHGCL D1 vs. PPL D3) (YES, LHGCL D1 vs. LHCGL D3/PPL D1).
Playing lesser skilled teams allows that team to see how designed plays/drills/movements are supposed to play out. It gives them a better sense of the game when they can perform in a game environment.
Practice can only give the teams only so much visualization.....
But...teams should play a few teams LESSER skilled teams than they are.
(NO, LHGCL D1 vs. PPL D3) (YES, LHGCL D1 vs. LHCGL D3/PPL D1).
Playing lesser skilled teams allows that team to see how designed plays/drills/movements are supposed to play out. It gives them a better sense of the game when they can perform in a game environment.
Practice can only give the teams only so much visualization.....
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by TatonkaBurger 05/02/15, 10:31 am
SocDad wrote:IMO.....there is no perfect ratio.
But...teams should play a few teams LESSER skilled teams than they are.
(NO, LHGCL D1 vs. PPL D3) (YES, LHGCL D1 vs. LHCGL D3/PPL D1).
Playing lesser skilled teams allows that team to see how designed plays/drills/movements are supposed to play out. It gives them a better sense of the game when they can perform in a game environment.
Practice can only give the teams only so much visualization.....
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by Zizou 05/02/15, 12:51 pm
SocDad wrote:IMO.....there is no perfect ratio.
But...teams should play a few teams LESSER skilled teams than they are.
(NO, LHGCL D1 vs. PPL D3) (YES, LHGCL D1 vs. LHCGL D3/PPL D1).
Playing lesser skilled teams allows that team to see how designed plays/drills/movements are supposed to play out. It gives them a better sense of the game when they can perform in a game environment.
Practice can only give the teams only so much visualization.....
Practices end with some type of real visualization game play and scrimmages are scheduled vs these groups. 8v8,11v11, plus small sided futsal.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by KnKsDad 05/02/15, 01:48 pm
Great subject posed in initial post, one that has been on my mind for a while. I had been of the mindset that one should always play the toughest competition in order to get better, but have since come around to what seems to be the consensus of most of the previous posters, that there needs to be a balance. There are different reasons, some already noted above, but one I would give has to do with perspective. While chasing that top team/player status, trying to get in the top 10, top 5 category for instance and getting routinely beat up by that higher level competition one can lose sight of where they truly are and the development that has already taken place. That lack of perspective can then lead to lost confidence and it no longer being fun anymore. I would agree that it good for a team to be able to hand it to some one from time to time rather than always be on the receiving end or in a constant dogfight.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by the7wolf 05/02/15, 01:57 pm
No, it doesn't. Learning how to play with the ball at your feet, being able to be creative and have your team maintain meaningful possession through the thirds of the field can only be somewhat emulated on the training field. Playing in divisions for more than a season where you're kicking butt brings it's own set of problems but if people think getting your butt handed to you every week, having little possession and getting off about 20 shots a season, if that, is beneficial, they are deluding themselves and don't understand the game.
Parking the bus/packing the box and playing damage limitation might be useful for when you're playing those tournament games when you're tied or winning by a goal but more than 1-2 games a seasonof that and you're inthe wrong place unless the other games are truly open affairs.
Parking the bus/packing the box and playing damage limitation might be useful for when you're playing those tournament games when you're tied or winning by a goal but more than 1-2 games a seasonof that and you're inthe wrong place unless the other games are truly open affairs.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by dadof3 05/02/15, 07:18 pm
Agree with the above posters and would add that you should look for a similar situation for your own child on his or her team. If there is nobody to challenge at practice, the child stagnates, but if the kid is constantly beaten by everyone else, it will put him or her in a bad place. If the child is a necessary contributor, it offers a lot of opportunity to grow. If there is too much pressure, the kid can take any setback too hard.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by TatonkaBurger 06/02/15, 08:02 am
dadof3 wrote:Agree with the above posters and would add that you should look for a similar situation for your own child on his or her team. If there is nobody to challenge at practice, the child stagnates, but if the kid is constantly beaten by everyone else, it will put him or her in a bad place. If the child is a necessary contributor, it offers a lot of opportunity to grow. If there is too much pressure, the kid can take any setback too hard.
Great points. I also wouldn't let your DD sit on the bench on a good team. You are paying for her development. Playing 10 to 15 minutes of a 50 minute game is not worth your money. Sure she will develop some based on the training sessions but she needs gameplay against unfamiliar opponents.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by SOUTHOFTHETRACKS 06/02/15, 08:04 am
TatonkaBurger wrote:dadof3 wrote:Agree with the above posters and would add that you should look for a similar situation for your own child on his or her team. If there is nobody to challenge at practice, the child stagnates, but if the kid is constantly beaten by everyone else, it will put him or her in a bad place. If the child is a necessary contributor, it offers a lot of opportunity to grow. If there is too much pressure, the kid can take any setback too hard.
Great points. I also wouldn't let your DD sit on the bench on a good team. You are paying for her development. Playing 10 to 15 minutes of a 50 minute game is not worth your money. Sure she will develop some based on the training sessions but she needs gameplay against unfamiliar opponents.
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by SocDad 06/02/15, 08:51 am
SOUTHOFTHETRACKS wrote:TatonkaBurger wrote:dadof3 wrote:Agree with the above posters and would add that you should look for a similar situation for your own child on his or her team. If there is nobody to challenge at practice, the child stagnates, but if the kid is constantly beaten by everyone else, it will put him or her in a bad place. If the child is a necessary contributor, it offers a lot of opportunity to grow. If there is too much pressure, the kid can take any setback too hard.
Great points. I also wouldn't let your DD sit on the bench on a good team. You are paying for her development. Playing 10 to 15 minutes of a 50 minute game is not worth your money. Sure she will develop some based on the training sessions but she needs gameplay against unfamiliar opponents.
and the most important line:
"....but she needs gameplay against "UNFAMILIAR" opponents"
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Re: Does development require always playing tough competition?
by TatonkaBurger 06/02/15, 09:16 am
SocDad wrote:SOUTHOFTHETRACKS wrote:TatonkaBurger wrote:dadof3 wrote:Agree with the above posters and would add that you should look for a similar situation for your own child on his or her team. If there is nobody to challenge at practice, the child stagnates, but if the kid is constantly beaten by everyone else, it will put him or her in a bad place. If the child is a necessary contributor, it offers a lot of opportunity to grow. If there is too much pressure, the kid can take any setback too hard.
Great points. I also wouldn't let your DD sit on the bench on a good team. You are paying for her development. Playing 10 to 15 minutes of a 50 minute game is not worth your money. Sure she will develop some based on the training sessions but she needs gameplay against unfamiliar opponents.
and the most important line:
"....but she needs gameplay against "UNFAMILIAR" opponents"
Sorry I meant playing 10 to 15 minutes in a 60 minute game!!!
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