Reply to Can speed of play be taught?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Noticed that playing speed is one of the major skills that sets kids on the highest level teams apart from kids on the lower levels. Can speed be taught or is it just an innate something that has to do with how aggressive a kid is on the pitch?[/quote]

From your question, I don't know if you really understand what "speed of play" means as that term is used in soccer.  It has nothing to do with raw speed (i.e. - running speed) and even less to do with aggressiveness.   Speed of play is the ability to make and execute decisions quickly.  Yes, it can be developed, with good coaching and the right activities.  As some have mentioned - technical ability is a must - especially a clean 1st touch, the ability to make a directional first touch, and make fast accurate passes.  The activities are often going to be possession-based exercises.  Good coaches will modify the space and attacker:defender ratio (using neutrals) to make it challenging enough to force players to play just past their limitations, but not too far.  Good coaches will talk about things like body positioning/orientation, and remind players to constantly scan/check-their-shoulders.  Good coaches will also demand that players work extremely hard and be very aggressive defensively to provide as much pressure as possible during these drills, and a good player pool will be able to provide that pressure.

That is what good development will look and sound like when it comes to speed of play.

Note that there are some very slow and non-aggressive players who have been able to play at the highest levels in the world, specifically because of their technical ability and speed of play.  Xavi, Pirlo, Fabregas are some examples of this.  [/quote]

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