Adverse weather conditions are a problem which affects our
nation’s football from grassroots level through to the SPL. Games and training
sessions being cancelled on a regular basis is the most obvious hindrance to lower
level and youth football. With poorer pitches being less adept at coping with
the winter weather, matches are called off frequently in the winter months.
Even if pitches are deemed playable they are often of a standard that is better
suited to a bovine than Beckham. These rutted, waterlogged and uneven playing
surfaces mean the game that is on show bears no resemblance to a sport once
described by Pele as “the beautiful game”. Terrible surfaces and detrimental conditions engender a brand of anti-football that we should not accept. Despite coaches diligent efforts to ingrain the correct practices in players, in reality is becomes impossible to put this into match situations.
This an immediate problem in the sense that frustrated
players and spectators have to find something else to fill their Saturday
afternoons with when games are postponed, fans are less likely to come and
watch, enjoyment is halved and standard plummets. However, the premier focus of
my argument for the transition to summer football is the effect that these
conditions are having on future generations of players. The top Scottish
players of the future face an uphill struggle filled with many hurdles to
fulfil their maximum potential, some of which hurdles can be removed as a
result of a change in our approach to the game – especially the season in which
we participate.A combination of seasonal aspects hinders development of young players. Bad conditions, as mentioned before, lead to a lessened standard of play. Technical aspects of the game, which are fundamental to a player’s development, are limited whilst playing on a public park where you are more likely to be tackled by a divot than an opponent. Each game for a youth footballer should be viewed as part of a grand development process. Emphasis should be on learning rather than winning. From personal experience, learning is restricted when playing in such uncomplimentary conditions – unless you consider learning how to clear the ball into a corner for the biggest and fastest player to chase, learning. I personally do not. Assuming there are good coaches who are encouraging young players to play an attractive form of football in training and focus is on developing technical attributes such as passing, ball control and dribbling, players are often neglected of an arena to showcase and impart the skills they have learnt in training into competition situations to have the optimal learning experience.
Like matches, training is also sacrificed due to wintery conditions. I subscribe to the belief that optimum performance = optimum training + optimum recovery. Training is fundamental to development and maintenance of ability. This ratio of optimum performance and development is affected by cancellations, training moved to unspecific facilities (such as an indoor hall or, worse, the running track) or training being adapted to fit the conditions. It is not just training during the winter months that is affected, leading up to the end of the season there is often a backlog of fixtures due to numerous postponements from December – March . This results in 2 or even 3 matches being played per week. Training is often neglected in order to focus on matches. For a youth, this is far from ideal. Due to the numerous matches being played in a short space of time players are also at risk of burnout, exhaustion and learning less in games due to playing tired.
My concluding point in this labouring argument for the progression
of youth football, as a result of a change in seasons, is enjoyment. In
Scotland, we have a population of just over 5 million. In order to progress as
a footballing nation (the yardstick being the qualification for major
international tournaments) we need to maximise the amount of players playing
the game. The more players that are playing means the more chance of developing
a future world class player – simple. Youngsters would be far more enticed to
play in summer weather and on good pitches. I believe that this would help decrease
dropout numbers, increase the amount of players introduced to the game and
improve standards due to a greater enjoyment of playing. The lure of playing 'Fifa' on a games console rather than stepping out for a kick about becomes far more enticing when the wind and rain are battering against your bedroom window, believe me.
For fear of neglecting the benefits summer football will
bring to adult game, I will identify, the main problems that I have with the
current situation. At the professional level, attendances are on the slide. Television
is arguably the main reason. However, out with the diehard fan base, it is
unlikely that the casual spectator is likely to come and watch a match between Peterhead
and Montrose on a sub-zero Saturday in January. I believe that if this match
was played on a sunny day in July attendance would dramatically increase.
What’s more, the standard on show would be better and spectators would enjoy
their experience more. Gate receipts would improve meaning more money for clubs
at a time where every penny is a prisoner. This would give clubs more finances
to put into the development of current facilities, youth systems and stadium
comforts, further developing players, match standard, attendances and the
reputation of Scottish football.In no way am I writing the blog to place the blame for my own mediocrity on the soccer field due to having to clog it out in winter. I could have been raised in an eternal summer and still lack the ability hit the metaphorical “coo’s arse” from 12 yards. This blog is merely to vent the frustrations of a man who is unlucky enough to be born into the most barren generation that Scottish football has had on the international arena and to put forward my own suggestions on how to end this rut. I believe that the principle alteration is the transition from winter to summer football seasons at all levels in Scotland.
As Confucius famously said “only the wisest and stupidest of
men never change” given the evidence and our constant shortcomings of late it
is painstakingly apparent that we are the latter.
Change should be imminent.
Good article with some very salient points. It'll need more than a change to the playing surfaces to improve the quality of Scottish football, but it's a good start. The mentality of coaches and young players will have to change too, but I'm confident. With more people having access to La Liga and The Premier League, these individuals will realise what it takes to be successful at the highest level and strive to get there. And that involves staying away from the anti-football tactics employed by many in our country's game.
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