Me second rule for developing players

One short observation: as the title says, these rules are just the ones that I use and you may agree or not agree. If you do not agree on them and have other ideas I would be glad if you shared your ideas with me.

While I think that there can never be a universally accepted set of "rules" or principles for coaching football (soccer), I also think that every coach should have his well defined philosophy based on a few principles.

In the previous post I talk about my first principle of developing good players: have them play with better players or at least with other good players. The level of play that you can offer him dictates the level he will reach.

My second principle for developing football (soccer) players is: offer them as much time on the ball as possible.

I am saying "time on the ball", but actually it can go for everything: it is important to have them involved in the action as much as possible. Having to fight for the ball, trying to disposes an opponent, trying to find some space to receive the ball, trying to close down some space when in defence, having to sprint for the ball or to change direction - all of these are important too.

In adult football (soccer) each player is "on the ball" only around 2% of the time. The rest of 98% is played without the ball. The way a player knows to play when he is off the ball is very important, but still we all know that if a player is not good with the ball then he will, most probably, not be a good enough player. I think that it is almost impossible to compensate for being weak on the ball with the "off the ball" play. There might be exceptions on some central defenders, but even those are required more and more to have good ball skills.

While the general idea of having the players involved in the action as much as possible is true and important, I consider that particularly the "time on the ball" is the best indicator of a good practice, specially in youth coaching.

From this principle come 3 ideas that many coaches use in their practices:
First, do as much as possible of the session using balls.
Second, have a ball for every player.
Third, use many small sided games or activities where there is a good ball/player ratio.