IDENTITY OF A NATION – ARGENTINE SOCCER

Diego Maradona gave an indication of the pride Argentina takes in developing world class talent when speaking at the 2010 World Cup. Maradona was asked about European clubs taking South American players to play in the UEFA Champions League, and gave the following response;

“The best prize South America can have is to know that we give all the clubs in the world great players. We ask that when those players get to the national team, the European clubs return them to us with the time and care with which we hand them over to them.”

Like many parts of South America, soccer in Argentina is a culture, a lifestyle, and is filled with passion and pride.

STRENGTHS

Argentina has a similar culture to all South American nations. The seeds of development are sewn early with boys playing soccer on the streets and beach for hours every day. This is in stark contrast to many American youth players who will receive only three hours of structured practice per week, and the befits to an Argentine youth player come on a number levels.

The free play culture is one that builds inherent self motivation. Playing with your friends as your primary recreational activity, is very different to playing in a structured session that you are driven to and from by your parents.

Technical practice, while not structured is also superior in the Argentine model. While a coach may not always be present, the amount of time spent with a ball at their feet is simply the best way to improve comfort in possession of the ball. 10 hours a week of regular play, will always carry greater benefit than 90 minutes only, even if a professional coach is watching the 90 minutes.

The mentality of a street soccer player can also carry benefits. The lack of instruction can lead to players who are capable of solving problems with their own imagination. If a player is constantly playing the game with a coach barking instructions in their ear, they can lack the ability to think for themselves, and also can suffer a fear of failure. It is not uncommon for players to not try something creative to avoid the criticism of a coach.

Fitness and athleticism are also superior with young players who are active more. In modern society school commitments and safety issues can lead to American children spending a large amount of time indoors, consistent activity and play strengthen the heart and lungs and build fitness.

WEAKNESSES

There is a line between recreational play, which carries the benefits listed above and coaching discipline. For example, at the World Cup in 2010 Argentina had individual players on a par with, or better than any team at the tournament. However, the end result was a disappointing quarter final exit.

Argentine players have traditionally been stronger in attack than defense, and their teams never admired for strategy and tactical discipline. Youth coaching in Argentina must develop a curriculum as to what age it is best to instill discipline and positional awareness into already technically brilliant soccer players.

A lack of funding in Argentine youth soccer also hinders development when it comes to the best youth players. Clubs are unable to employ the kind of full time academy staff available in Europe, and as such the level of coaching is not optimal.

An example of how European youth academies have better coaching and resources is Lionel Messi. Messi was moved from his home in Argentina to the Barcelona youth academy in Spain before the age of 13. The idea of one moving to the other side of the world so young may seem strange, but it was thought that Barcelona had the resources to develop Messi to his potential, a thought process that is difficult to argue with now.

ELITE LEVEL

As discussed above, tactical awareness and positional discipline do not match the individual ability of the Argentina players. During the World Cup Argentina boasted Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Juan Sebastian Veron. All are among the best players in the world at their respective positions.

Despite this array of talent, Argentina were destroyed by a Germany team who ruthlessly exposed them on the counter attack. Whereas the disciplined Germans were rock solid defensively, Argentina looked scattered after losing possession and were caught with numbers down defensively.

There is a lesson for coaches and players throughout the soccer world in the Argentina World Cup performance. No matter what the level of your individual talent, you must be able to perform as a cohesive unit to achieve results at the elite level. Whereas teams such as the USA and Ghana managed to achieve good results and produce teams greater than the sum of their individual parts, Argentina failed in this aspect.

The passion of Argentina is also a lesson for the soccer world. Diego Maradona had a coaching style and joie de vivre that put an interesting slant on the typical modern coaching model. Maradona kissed his players on the lips as they walked out for each game, and led manic celebrations after each goal. While few of us will want to act that way, the team bonding and relationships Maradona forged with his players are a reminder to us all that the game should be fun.

Too many times, particularly in youth soccer a coach will use players merely as tools to achieve results, paying little attention to their emotion and mood. Maradona reminded us all that even on the biggest stage of all, you should place high value as a coach you should invest time and energy into you relationships with the players you coach. A mutual respect can help you communicate better with your players, and thus maximize your ability to teach them the game.