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That is literally the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard ^. It drives me crazy to read or hear people (now US soccer education course) talk about “How To” play any certain formation. As if you can park the bus or play possession in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. As if a formation dictates the philosophy or style of a team. Nuts. Regarding playing “The US 4-2-3-1” that must just be a joke.
Love the inside info John! Incredibly disappointing that this is the state of our national youth system. But then I see the gold stuff 3four3, John, etc post and it reminds me that shit is happening in this country. Need more people like that in those positions.
Cameron,are you saying we can’t just pick and implement a national style? Isn’t that how Germany, Holland, and Brazil did it?
First, Scott, I hope I didn’t offend you. Not my intention. Was not disagreeing with things you were saying, just the idea that, as you said, you were being taught in a high level education course the tactics of the “US 4-2-3-1”
For me, I’d say that national styles do not exist. A lot of this for me comes down to language and vocab. National philosophies or national ideals? maybe more so. I’d say that Brazil enjoys attractive football, that’s their “national philosophy”, their “footballing culture” if you will. But football changes so much and so quickly, that for me, saying that Brazil has played the same way for the last 60 years is ludicrous. Is the “style” under Scolari the same as under Dunga? Have they been teaching coaches tactics for the “Brazilian 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1”? I don’t think so. I can believe, however, that Brazil, over those same 60 years, have valued players (citing 3four3) with high technical ability and high soccer IQ. And when putting those players into a system that values those world class attributes, Brazil has been successful.
Coaches have their own philosophies that have their own styles. Styles and formations and players are constantly changing. When Jurgen leaves is “the US 4-2-3-1” going to be relevant anymore? I doubt it. The idea that their teaching tactics about the 4-2-3-1 is funny in itself because their seems to be very little tactical instructions going on both in the youth set-up (as John revealed) and in the senior team. So what is the US 4-2-3-1? Average players, working very hard, playing pretty poorly, and getting very inconsistent results. I would feel better if in those education courses we were learning about fundamental ideas; a philosophy, that the US wants to adopt. Valuing certain ideas about style, players, preparation, and execution that are in line with world class ideas.
Last bit. Philosophies are everything. Believing certain things about the game and how it should be played are rock solid, altering very little, in my opinion. Style and formations are merely a capsule to express your product.
Not offended at all. I agree with most of what you are saying and think it’s more a matter of semantics than world view.
I think the US coaching schools now recognize that what they have been doing isn’t good enough, but recognizing the wrong path does not automatically illuminate the correct path. I would not be surprised to see a complete overhaul several more times in the not too distant future. At least I hope so. Right now the only motivation I persoanlly see for taking a US Soccer course is the credential, not the education.
So is this going to be the thread to discuss the World Cup games or should we start a new one?
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