At St Mirren Youth we believe not so much as in ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ but more in “Practice Makes Permanent”. This is because, while we all want perfection in everything we do, we also believe that the more our young footballers practice, the better they will become and their skills will become a permanent feature in their game.
This is our Young Football Player Specification (YFPS)
While we want our players to be as good a player as they can be and strive for perfection, this is what we would like our players to aspire to…
..if they listen they will learn and in time they will improve and develop into great players!
Read below and ask yourself Is this me? Is this your son or daughter? Be honest! If it’s not you or it’s not your son or daughter then a lot of hard work and effort is required before you or they are ready for our squads let alone game time!
Technique
The first technical ability we look for is a good, firm First Touch – with the ball under control quickly!
The second technical ability we look for is Close Control – with the ball in control & on the move!
The third technical ability good players need to have is to keep their Head Up looking ahead!
So we need players who can get on the ball quickly, first touch and close control are the most important features in good players and if they play with their head-up, looking to make the next move, play, pass or run – then they will become great young footballers!
Players with tricks are great, so long as their tricks do not slow the game down and allow the other team to get back into the game or the ball back! We need players who will not give the ball away, who will pass the ball to their team-mates, and are looking to play the ball forward on the ground!
Pace
After technique the next important physical ability is Pace
All players need it wherever they play; Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Strikers
Young Players need to be athletic – they need to be physically fit, strong and healthy
They need to be bright, enthusiastic and with a spark of energy about them
They also need to be able to think and decide quickly with the ball at their feet
Movement
One thing we look at is what a player does when he hasn’t got the ball – is he lazy or active!
We look for players with their heads up! We look for players who move into space to get on the ball quickly with it under control!
We look for players to close down an opponent and get close to the ball! We look for players who press the ball and do not dive into or jump into opponents!
We look for players who make runs that create chances and opportunities! We look for players who draw opponents out of position!
We look for players who once they pass the ball, they move quickly to get the ball back! We look for players who work hard throughout the match and never stand still in a game!
Awareness – ‘Soccer Vision’
As well as movement, we look for players who instinctively know where to play the ball!
We look for players who know where their team-mates are!
We look for players who know where their team-mates should be!
We look for players who can play a first time pass without always taking a touch! We look for strikers who do not have to look up to find out where the goal is!
We look for players who instinctively know what to do and when to do it! We look for players who know where their team-mates are! We look for players who talk to each other!
Attitude and Temperament
We are looking for players who are disciplined and in control – who do not carry on, know the boundaries and can behave themselves!
We look for players who if fouled, get up and get on with the game! We look for players who encourage their team-mates! We look for players who can play in all kinds of conditions – fair weather and foul – cold, wet, mud, sunny, etc.
We look for players with drive! We look for players who are hungry to play football! We look for players with a will to win, with a desire and passion about their play!
If you have not got these features – we can help you develop into this type of player quickly – however you need to be willing to listen and with the right support and encouragement from coaches and parents you will learn at our coaching sessions!
