Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed

T.I.P.S. - Characteristics of a top player

Technique:

 Mastery of the ball with all parts of the body and both feet in all directions


   The easiest time for a player to develop skill is ages 8-12. At a young age the player’s bodies learn the lessons much easier and make quicker improvement. Young players also have a more difficult time mastering the tactical part of the game at an early age due to a short attention span, inability to understand high level concepts, and level of skill. Therefore, at an early age, skill development should be stressed and the player’s must learn to master the ball. It is important to note that their technical training does not lessen as players rather they train more.  This area is very important, players must be encouraged to do homework to fully develop this area. A few additional concepts are:


- Passing with both feet - on the ground in air short and long  
  distances
- Trapping with all parts of the body- trapping into space-first touch
- Juggling with all parts of the body
- Passing while moving and standing
- Shooting on goal with aim
- Working on different types of crosses and their runs
- Heading with and without pressure offensive and defensive
- Feints, fakes and cuts
- 1v1 techniques
- Shielding
- Throw- ins
-  Penalty kicks

“Even during training sessions you must control the ball quickly and shoot, whether or not an opponent is near. You must retain this concentration and attitude even after scoring a few goals in a training or a match. Scoring goals must become a habit”

Johan  Cruyff

Insight
 Options a player has in different areas of the field – pass or dribble – tackle or contain – pass wide or deep?

 Although most Ajax youngsters are selected because they have natural insight they are also educated to read the game. The tactical training increases once players have mastered the fundamentals and become more capable of understanding higher-level concepts. With the ability to control the ball, they are able to play with their head up, view the field, their teammates and make choices. A few additional concepts are:

- Run with out the ball into a passing lane
- Depth and width
- Keeping the team together- compact
- Offside trap
- Runs closely around the ball- if a player faces your own goal don’t take  
   off- look to be in a triangle
- Play from your own positions
- Learn to take over their positions
- Play in other positions
- To learn how to look away from the ball
- Learn how to make choice when to pass and when to dribble
- Learn how to shield the ball when dribbling or receiving pass
- Cover and goal side marking and how to see who is the most dangerous   
   player.


"Speed is often confused with insight. When I start running before the rest, I appear faster."

 Johan Cruyff

Personality

 Communication, leadership, creativity, guts, open coaching, ability to work in a disciplined way

   Anyone wanting to be a top player must possess certain characteristics. They must want to win. They must learn to concentrate and work hard. They need to be motivated and possess self-discipline. They must listen and get along with teammates. These characteristics can be improved but most Ajax players are selected because they already possess the proper mentality. A few additional concepts are:


- Sportsmanship- respect for opponents, referees, coaches
- How to communicate with team players, managers,
- Open for others opinion
- Accept someone’s leadership
- Respect referees decisions
- Be critical about your own achievements
- Analyze your own game
- Accept club rules
- How to listen to your coach- training habits
- Team sport
- Team building
- How to concentrate
- Teach them how to be the judge of their own body




 “I only include players in my team who will try to win, by one means or another, over the whole ninety minutes. This applies to each confrontation, even in a training session or a friendly match.”

Rinus Michels - Former Dutch National and Ajax coach, voted best coach of the last century by his fellow coaches


Speed

 Athletic ability, agility, starting speed, long speed.

  To play at the highest level you must have speed or you must develop the other areas to an extremely high level. Players need quickness in small spaces and speed over longer distances. While speed and quickness can be improved some people will never be fast or quick. Players can improve reaction speed, reading of the game and develop better running habits. Ajax does specialized running work although depending on training time per week the ball must remain central to most our trainings. A few additional concepts are:



- Running techniques
- Coordination of running
- Jumping from both legs
- Improve flexibility of the body
- How to use body in a 1v1
- Weight training with out weights- body resistance
- How to get away form an opponent
- Avoid slide tackles
- Sprinting in all directions
- How to use your body with shoulder

Ajax also turns TIPS around to form SPIT. A player without the S or speed can rarely reach the highest level. A player without the P or personality will not reach the highest level. The I they must have but this area can be coached. The technique is easiest to devedlop.