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There has been an interesting conversation trending on twitter about creativity and whether repetition in training mitigates it. I plan on signing up for the Celebreight FC to go see the academy set up and methodology myself in Spain; howevef, I’d like to ask the group whether they know how much pattern play is used at the academy level (U9+)? Daily like this course?
My view that pattern play should not stifle creativity bc it provides a framework and some set solutions, but ultimately the playerz must choose the correct option in the game setting. Also, providing a framework allows players to possibly elaborate and improvise within it.
Anyone know they extent to which pattern play is used in Spanish academies or thoughts on how it affects creativity?
Rich have you seen this post on the 3 four 3 site: http://blog.3four3.com/2013/02/07/pickup-soccer-versus-competitive-club-soccer/
In my opinion giving the kids a structure for how the game should be played through set tactical work (pattern play) is critical to their development of creativity and improvisation. Kids need a foundation from which to proceed, a structure from which to create and improvise. Throwing them on the field with just a formation and letting them be creative isn’t enough structure, especially in a team sport like soccer. Unless all the kids on a team are soccer savants of course and already know what creativity is within the team context.
I think there are two levels of creativity in soccer: the simplistic individual level of creativity and the more complex team level of creativity. I don’t see how creativity within the context of a team can be accomplished without set tactical work.
Rich,
Alfredo is spot on!
To answer your specific question, patter play is used at every top academy I’ve attended in Spain from the benjamin (u9) age on up. You need to provide a foundation to what your team is trying to accomplish on the field on both sides of the ball…..in possession and on defense. They work a ton on this aspect, especially on the offensive side of the ball with shadow pattern play (no pressure) at the younger age groups.
There is so much detail that can be worked on in pattern play….obviously, position specific details for each player on the field.
Hope this helps.
At any serious level you will need some kind of organization/pattern.
The nature of the game will need and prize creativity but it needs a platform from what to operate from.
The exact mix of how much and when are always open to discussion everywhere, including inside the same club…there is a constant tension and things are always in evolution
The individuals also make a difference…Messi says that at La Masia they kept telling him to share the ball more but that he just kept on dribbling…and eventually coaches adjustaded to him
LVG is considered one of the most “structured” coaches around and very possibly the most important influence on the tactical methodology of the last 25 years
Even he of course admits to the importance of creativity in the game
You can check this tremendous interview where he gives great insight
Go to Anexo 2 page XXI:
BTW the thesis is in Portuguese but the interview with Van Gaal is in English 🙂
Thanks for the insight on Martinez methods Jed. Always interesting to get a window of what is happening behind the scenes and on the training ground.
Some dynamics are intriguing to figure out sometimes.
It would seem Rodgers would share the same basic philosophy as Segura and Borrell:
http://www.blueprintforfootball.com/2011/08/pep-segura-explains-strategy-behind.html?m=1
But apparently not:
Hard to know what is down to game philosophies or what is ego/personalities clash. But it goes to show the challenges of consistency in approach.
Have you had a chance to check LFC youth set-up recently?
Here’s an example of typical pattern work at a high level European academy.
And Sporting is known for having a free flowing style of play and it has a reputation for accommodating and nurturing the creative mavericks type.Nevertheless:
[video src="http://jeddavies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/video-uploads/8v2%20shadow%20play%20variations%20of%20movement.avi.mp4" /]
The link to this is on Jed’s materials under Videos 2:
Sporting Lisbon Shadow Practice And Tactical Pattern Play
Jed if you are able to come to London on Jan 27th, John Cartwright is showing how to play out of the back.
http://www.lfcacoaches.co.uk/images/stories/sessions/FOOTBALL%20FOR%20THE%20BRAVE.pdf
IMO, Creative players/teams don’t make up new things on the fly during a game at game speed. What the creative players/teams do is to learn patterns that work, then as necessary, recognize and switch from one known pattern to the next instantly or to exit a pattern temporarily (or create a detour) with a small mini-pattern (perhaps a 1-2) and to get back into the overall larger pattern. The key is to have these things happen automatically, without thinking (game speed). This comes from years of experience at practicing, recognizing and executing known patterns.
Given any adversarial situation, an experienced player will always use a trusted pattern simply because, from experience, IT WORKS!
In the game Chess, I’ve heard that 90% of the moves of experienced players are based on pattern recognition and very little actual creativity is involved. They are just reacting to what they have seen thousands of times. The loser is the one who stops recognizing patterns and starts to “get creative”.
Is this patterned or “created”?
I saw known patterns in that video. 2 of which were:
Passes to the open wingers, find the forward, Layoff pass into the box for goal #1
Long pass to wing player, dribble into space and cross the ball into the box for an awaiting teammate for goal #2
Exactly but hopefully you can see some “creativity” as well 🙂
And when you get both magic happens
This is probably my favorite example of a tremendously “creative” team (most creative ever??) getting beaten by a well organized, “patterned” machine:
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