One of our main focuses is to develop intelligent players. There are many definitions of soccer intelligence. Many deal with the ability to predict the flow of the game. Many talk about understanding space and how players runs influence the game. We are going to start by accepting this Trace definition of soccer intelligence which they call Soccer IQ.
Soccer IQ is a term used to describe a player's ability to understand the game and make good decisions on the field in real time. Soccer IQ allows players to predict how and where a play will unfold, when to pass, and when to shoot. It is a combination of factors, including technical skills, tactical knowledge, spatial awareness, and decision-making ability. - 10 Ways Coaches Can Help Players Raise Their Soccer IQ
Our focus this year is to significantly raise your soccer intelligence. There are many aspects of this, but going into I want to talk first about how you improve your soccer intelligence. First of all, humans are not really designed well to think and do at the same time. By that I mean that it is hard to consciously think while you are playing. To explain what I mean by consciously think like me talk a bit about the human mind.
There is a great book called The Inner Game of Tennis. It is easy to ready and very, very good. One of the big ideas the other talks about is the idea of having a Self 1 and a Self 2 both inside your head. Your mind is made up of these two. The Self 1 is the mind of words. When you "hear" words inside your mind that is Self 1. It is the voice you hear speaking to you. Then there is Self 2. It is the silent partner. It does not talk or even whisper, but it has an incredible ability to do and to understand. For example, when you walk Self 1 might say "let us go to the fridge and get some water." Self 1 then shuts up and Self 2 takes over. Self 2 controls your body and actually gets you off the couch and walks you to the fridge. It reachs out your hand and opens the fridge door. Just think how amazingly complicated that is. Think of all the different muscles in your body working at just the right level so you can get up and walk. It is amazing! You were not born able to do that. You had to learn that. Self 2 learned that. It was not Self 1 verbally telling each muscle to work at a certain rate. At some point Self 1 went silent and let Self 2 do its job.
Well, what does this Self 1 and Self 2 have to do with soccer intelligence. What we are going to is teach to Self 1 to start. We are going to do some classes and we are going to talk so Self 1 understands more about soccer intelligence. We are going to break things down into bite size chunks. We are going to talk about analyzing the game from one perspective. Then talk about a framework that we can use to help Self 1 analyze the game. Then we are going to talk to Self 1 about analyzing an individual opponent. We are going to talk to Self 1 a lot. Then, we will work to let Self 2 process what Self 1 has learned. On the field we will play and when we play, like all human beings, you will turn Self 1 down and let Self 2 take over. We will then stop the game and make you listen to Self 2 and have Self 1 explain to us what you are thinking. I cannot tell you strongly enough how important it is for you to have the courage to share your thinking. Play, think, speak! Even if what you say is "stupid" it is awesome. It is awesome because that will help you grow. The circle of train, Self 2 process, reflect, Self 1 talk, repeat is so important. Have the courage to talk and share your thoughts while we are training. Just like we love our left (non-dominant foot) we love "stupid" thoughts because that is how you get better.
Here are some of the lessons we will cover this fall:
- Offensive analysis of an opponent to score
- Individually analyzing an opponent
- Space
Each time we cover one of these subjects we will be talking with Self 1. You will need to then step on the field and let Self 2 watch and interact with the game. Occasionally, turn Self 1 back on and have him ask Self 2 the questions we have discussed and "listen" for Self 2's answers. Then apply that lesson and test if your understanding is correct. Repeat this over and over until we are shredding the opponent's defense and putting the ball in the back of their net again, and again, and again.