Spartac International Soccer School

1052 Croton Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867
tel: (908) 806-7080 fax: (908) 806-3978
e-mail: spartac-soccer@worldnet.att.net

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Basic Team Philosophy

The team is a group of people performing and enjoying an organized sport. They agree to perform by the rules of the game. They enjoy the technical and tactical version of the game, and abide by the written and unwritten laws governing behavior and intent of the game

Each team and its participants are different from the next. Their skills and personal habits are different. These personal habits and skills change from minute to minute and game to game. It is important for each one of the players to understand and be able to help his fellow teammates to work of the good of the team.

The basic philosophy of the team should always be to learn and enjoy the game and perform to the best ability of each individual. The perfect team, considering their ability, is one in which everyone plays and helps the team to perform as one unit. Their personal needs and wants must be set aside for the good of the team. I believe for a team to “win” is important, and we should always strive for it; but let’s not forget that “losing” is Life’s Great Teacher.

We should not forget that the type of environment we live in dictates the team philosophy. We must consider the social structure in which we live. This structure and how it affects teams differ in each country. For instance, the South American teams: their playing style, technique and overall philosophy are to have fun and get enjoyment out of the game. Their personal drive is to demonstrate and use as much flair as the game allows. Their skill on the ball is mostly of high caliber, so the first importance of those players is, in many cases, not the team, but their personal satisfaction. When you instill in such players the premise of “Team Unity” you build teams of world-0class standards, such as the Brazilian team.

In contrast, the British have the attitude and philosophy more geared to the professional team structure where the player sacrifices his individualism for the sake of the team.

The main difference in both styles is that the South American style is more of a game per se, where the British is more of a battle. But, to a soccer enthusiast it does not make a difference which style we are accustomed to and love as long as the game is of high technical and tactical standard, that is what satisfies us and promotes enjoyment of the game.

The development of each player is an individual task. My personal belief is that we have to train our young players with a completely new concept and new methods of physical and mental toughness and imagination. Coaches must learn and be interested to learn to develop themselves and acquire the knowledge of new and modern ways to teach so that our players will develop into national and international quality, so we can play on the same level as countries that are world-class, such as Brazil, England, France and Germany.

Up- to- Date Training for Youth Players is Nonexistent. We must acquire it.

It is imperative to get away from static teaching and embrace with the rest of the world a game-related teaching method.

We must develop a plan through our coaches where we start to develop our players on a higher level at an earlier age, and start teaching technical and tactical skills in game-related situations, but most of all, and again I say “early”, me must instill in each player the will and determination to teach himself and be critical of his achievements, and above all to strive to be a bitter and more accomplished player on a higher plateau. Must expose them to better ( not superior) competition, and mental, physical and psychological pressure.

Out top coaches must, instead of coaching only select players per se, go down into the clubs and help develop a wider and broader selection of good and talented players, so that they have the same chance of developing into top-notch talent. We must install a weekly, monthly and yearly training program. This requires many good coaches who have the interest and dedication to the game of Soccer. It takes people to handle and help with the administration to make this program possible. It can be done from the club level, the league level, to an extensive state level; and from there to a regional and National level.

Let’s not forget though, that the beginning lies in good coaching at each team level, from recreational to travel.

Heinz Consten Spartac International Soccer School