Citizen Kane or Vertigo?
This week Vertigo replaced Citizen Kane as no.1 when a group of experts voted for the greatest movie of all time. Both have been hugely influential for a over half a century. Many of the techniques used in these films were revolutionary at the time. These methods have been often copied and the grammar of the films reverberate through modern cinema. Allen Wade’s 1967 book ‘The FA Guide To Training and Coaching’ holds a similar status. The coaching grammar laid out within the book is still used today. The routes of the coaching cycle that punctuate FA Coaching Courses are there to be seen.
“1. 6v6 small sided game or attack against defence (time: five to six minutes)
a) Coach emphasizes the need for supporting the player with a ball in all phases of the game.
b) The coach stops the practice to show a ‘picture’ of situations in which the short pass can be most effective.”
Stop. Stand still. Work with the player on the ball. Work with the players around the ball. Work with the players away from the ball. Recreate in a new image. These principles are the principles that, as a coach, if you do not know them, you will not gain your badges. They are at the core of qualification and they are featured in the words of Allen Wade.
“Clearly a billiards player will gain considerable benefit from repetitive practice of technique since the practice situation bears a high degree of similarity to the competitive game. The same sort of practice for soccer, however, would overlook the testing circumstances of competition. Soccer requires the application of techniques in a situation where the player has co-operative possibilities and, at the same time, is opposed by one or more players. These factors require them to make decisions and the ability to make correct decisions is probably the most important single factor in developing skill at the game.”
While it is easy to disagree with the opening part of this statement we must understand the definition of skill.
The right technique, in the right place, at the right time.
Then, when you consider the way the FA breaks down training into segments pf technique, skill and game, the skill portion is semi opposed (often uneven numbers or limited pressure).
Repetition forms technique technique acquisition and often when people talk about skill they really mean technique. Technical competence is gained through repetitive practice but in order to learn to apply these techniques opposition is required, unlike in billiards. These repetitive practices are of great value to younger players but of lesser value as technical competence increases.
Citizen Kane or Vertigo?
Which one has the fewer mistakes? Which has the fewer misjudgements? Even the greatest works contain a nadir. Some are minor, some plumb the depths. Unfortunately the nadir of Allen Wade is deep as the Mariana Trench.
“The application of technique is far more important than technique itself. Technical weaknesses can be solved by developing a player’s appreciation of the situations in which certain techniques are best used from his own point of view.”
While there is nothing incorrect about the statement itself, the implications of it are stark. Being technically defective does not matter. You can cover up these flaws in other ways.
Now we can see what path this takes us down. Your technique is poor, then work harder. We can’t keep the ball well, never mind pump it down field and hassle, hurry, pin them in. We have can’t compete technically, then rely on power and speed to overpower them. Thus a style of play hiding technical flaws is encouraged, creativity and technical ability will not be what the managers and scouts look for but players who fit within a style that doesn’t need technique. The emphasis shifts.
If technique can be hidden, then developing it becomes of less importance. This brings to mind the days of Turkey bringing sides to Wembley, having players who clearly had very good technique but were always well beaten. Thus legitimizing these theories. Look at the situation now. Though Turkey have not always qualified for the World Cup or European Championships they reached the semi final of Euro 2008 (a tournament England did not qualify for) and finished third at the 2002 World Cup. England have not had finals performances as strong as those since 1996 and 1990. While their apparent technical emphasis was mocked in the 1980s it has brought rewards far greater than an emphasis based on application. If the technique of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and co was not of the highest order they would struggle to apply it in the way that they do. Just as Vertigo slowly caught up with Citizen Kane, England has been caught and left trailing.
We live in a footballing world in which technique is king. Until England masters this, she will remain a relative pauper.
Allen Wade – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Football-Association-Guide-Training-Coaching/dp/0434835501/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1342791497&sr=8-3
Citizen Kane – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/
Vertigo – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052357/
Turkey 0 England 8 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqhlF9T0gK0&feature=relmfu
Turkey at Euro 08 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLbkHDVX898