Reply to How often and bad is this obsession at clubs and teams?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote]I think we are interpreting a number of comments very differently.[/quote]

Agreed.  It's like people are talking past each other.  I see three groups of people here:

Group 1 sees a coach exploiting a superstar to win now in a way which acts to the detriment of the other players' development, of the team in anything other than the very short term, and quite possibly of the superstar himself.

Group 2 feels that their kid is being unfairly overlooked and not given the recognition he deserves when in fact their kid isn't very good and doesn't deserve the recognition or the opportunity.  I'm not sure anyone actually falls into this group - but I have to define it so I can define group 3.

Group 3 sees the opinion of someone in group 1 and believes that they are in group 2 - and tells them they're just jealous.

[quote] I do not expect equal playing time. Positive feedback is not even on my radar in terms of this conversation. My issue is when kids are being taught to always get the ball to Jimmy, they are not being encouraged to carry it when they can, to find open teammates with clear paths to the net. Instead, they are being encouraged to set up one favored teammate for achievement, at the detriment of the other teammates who are getting open, getting in perfect position, but will not get the ball touches, chances to take on a defender, or take a shot, simply because they are not "Jimmy." [/quote]

So you are in group 1.  I entirely agree with you.  My view would be that
-  the best players should get more playing time, and play in the position(s) where they have the most impact
-  the best players should see more of the ball - but only because that happens naturally because they are the best player and therefore pop up in the right place / make the right runs at the right time / etc.
-  all players, assuming they are giving a good effort in practise and on game day, should get a reasonable amount of playing time
-  the team should be taught to play soccer as a team and make the best soccer decision: take the man on / pass to the player in the best position / switch the field / etc.

[quote]This may make sense at the professional level[/quote]

No - it doesn't make sense at the professional level.  You will never see a professional team playing this way.  Sure the very best players have the greatest impact - but you will never see a professional team not pass to the player in the best position whoever that player is.  They pass to the best player when and because he's in the best position - and he is often in the best position because he's the best player and getting in the right position is part of being a good player.  And he does better when he gets the ball in a good position - again because he's the best player.

[quote] but where you are paying for coaches to develop your kids, having them there simply to be the supporting cast to a kid deemed more important, who is not paying any more than you are, is every reason to leave the team.[/quote]
This is also true.  But I would suggest that a coach who funnels the ball to one player in the way suggested on this thread is such a bad coach that that would be a reason to leave the team in any case - even if your kid is the superstar.

[quote] Even more so if your kid is Jimmy's back up, and does not even get to play unless Jimmy wants a water break.[/quote]
Agreed - coaches should not make offers to kids who won't get playing time.  And once they have made an offer then the kid should get a reasonable amount of playing time assuming the kid is giving [b]his best effort[/b] in practise and games.

[quote] Little Jimmy's parents often think everyone is just jealous of Jimmy.[/quote]
With a good coach, parents (apart from the odd idiot) are not jealous of the best players.  They welcome the impact that the best players have on the team's play and results.[/quote]

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