The technical evolution is working, and it's positive

Tegal Fan Club Member #1.5
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over 16 years

From FFA .... so good to see and the quality of play will just keep getting better...

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/cockerill-opinion-display/The-technical-evolution-is-working-and-its-positive/71284


Berti Mariani is in his mid-50s and hasn't coached professionally for the last 18 years. But there he is, notebook at the ready, listening attentively, as Dutch conditioning expert Raymond Verheijen takes centre stage at the AIS theatrette. Some of the cream of our coaching profession are in Canberra to sit for the coveted A License and/or Professional Licence they will soon need if they wish to continue working in the industry.

Mariani hasn't been in the dugout since he was sacked by Wollongong Wolves in 1995, but that doesn't mean he's given up. It might seem he's wasting his time, but Mariani was regarded as years ahead of his time when he won back-to-back championships with Marconi Stallions (1988 and 1989). Perhaps it's more a case of time catching up with Mariani. Sports science, nutrition, psychology and certain conditioning exercises were rare in his day. Nowadays they're woven into the coaching manual. ''I love the fact that some of this stuff matters,'' he says.

Mariani, as you've probably guessed, is a fan of the rationale, and the thrust, of the national curriculum first unveiled in 2009, and about to be updated. That doesn't mean, however, he agrees with every part of the blueprint. Which - based on the evidence of a number of conversations with those who recently spent a week in Canberra sitting for their elite qualifications - seems to be the prevailing view.

The evolution of our coaching education and development process is at an interesting, and perhaps significant, juncture. Never was this more evident than in Canberra recently, where attitudes and opinions washed up against each other like a high tide against a seawall. Eventually, the tide of opinion will find its own level, but in the meantime it's fascinating to observe.

On the surface, it seems the curriculum offers little flexibility. Certainly the FFA technical staff entrusted with administering and expounding it - notably Han Berger, Kelly Cross, Raymond Verheijen, Rob Sherman, Tony Franken and Dean May - continue to push a tough line in their drive to upskill our coaching fraternity.

Verheijen is a particularly prominent example. Wearing a blue polo shirt, jeans and trainers may suggest a relaxed approach. It's anything but. The notoriously outspoken Dutchman is adversarial, provocative, challenging, and sometimes plain aggressive as he addresses an audience which includes some of the most opinionated people in our game.

Among those in attendance are John Kosmina, Mariani, Craig Foster, Tony Popovic, Frank Farina, Ante Milicic, Shane Rufer, Kevin Muscat, Mark Rudan, Kurt Reynolds, Kenny Lowe, Gerry Gomez, Phil Moss, Mehmet Durakovic, Melissa Barbieri, Milan Blagojevic, Karl Dodd, Andrew Clark, Steve Corica, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Jamie Harnwell, Ross Aloisi, Mark Jones, Lawrie McKinna, Gary Phillips and Spencer Prior.

Take a long look at the list. Shrinking violets? Not likely.

But this same crowd barely raises a peep as Verheijen goes through his power point presentations on 'underloading'. You're not even allowed out for a toilet break.

It's a new message, delivered in an old school style. Verheijen's questions from the stage, many rhetorical, are met with mumbled answers from those willing to speak up. Verheijen introduces the subject of GPS monitors, and then remarks: 'GPS is only for people who don't have a brain'. Warming to the theme, he discusses at length the philisophical differences between 'strength' and conditioning, and football conditioning. ''I don't like this word (strength),'' he says, daring someone to challenge his views. 'C'mon, c'mon, where are the fitness clowns?'' he bellows.

It's tough, and abrasive, and some in the audience murmur their disapproval. In whispered tones, of course. Later, in a coffee break, some talk about a lack of respect. Either way, the process is doing what it's meant to do. Spark debate, challenge opinions, remove people from their comfort zones. It's what Han Berger has been determined to do ever since he took charge of our technical evolution. It's working, and it's positive.

Yet it's not simply rote learning, whatever it may seem. My sense is those who walk away with the necessary qualifications won't be slavishly implementing the tactical approach, or conditioning practices, of the curriculum. If Manchester United, for instance, can have a recovery session on the beach, don't be surprised if a number of Hyundai A-League clubs continue the practice - curriculum or not.

It's wonderful that the education process is making our elite coaches think harder, and deeper, about everything they do. But they've still got a mind of their own, and will make their own decisions. Which is how it should be.

Remove the egos, and the truth is everyone is fundamentally on the same page. Australia is not virgin territory for coach education - we've been doing it in an organised fashion since Eric Worthington arrived from England in 1975. But no one's disputing we need to do it better, smarter, and with a lot more purpose if we want to develop the players we need to progress in the modern game.

If Daniel de Silva is the first prototype to emerge from the latest technical revolution, then we're definitely on the right track. If Mariani demonstrates a new-found willingness to bring past generations back into the fold, even better.

Coach education is a notoriously explosive subject, but my impression is everyone is being a lot more adult about things these days. I like what I see.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author, and do not reflect those of Football Federation Australia.



Tegal Fan Club Member #1.5
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2.2K
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over 16 years

Interesting article from Fozzie ... re coaching and technical development...

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/craig-foster/blog/1162595/The-battle-of-the-brains

The battle of the brains

The level of coaching in the 2013-2014 A-League is easily the highest in the competition's short history. 

It is a season that shapes as our most exciting yet and one that will provide an important marking point in the technical evolution of Australian football.

Not only will the football be at a higher level than ever in the A-League, but the tactical battle from the benches will be more intense than we've witnessed. 

One of the main biggest differences between now and when the league began eight years ago, is that winning the Premiership and Championship takes an entire technical staff, capable of building a team with a clear philosophy, maintaining supreme physical condition, understanding opponents and managing matches by acting and reacting on the run.

The skill set for success today is broader and more demanding.

As I run through the clubs one by one in terms of the leadership team, it will become clear there is a tremendous season in store, whatever your football palate.

(Teams ordered by where they finished in the 2012-2013 Premiership)

Western Sydney Wanderers

Tony Popovic was a revelation in the A-League last season, considering it was his first season as a head coach. The close relationship between he and Ante Milicic, with total trust between them, fed through to the playing group.

Both are undertaking their Pro License and spent time in Europe during the off season to prepare a few new surprises for the challengers.

Central Coast Mariners

Graham Arnold is the most consistent coach of the past three years and has a settled staff with Phil Moss - undergoing his Pro License alongside Popovic and Farina - as well as Andrew Clark and goalkeeper coach, John Crawley, on video analysis.

The Mariners know their opponent inside out and are well schooled in how to neutralise their strengths and expose their weaknesses - one of the driving factors behind their renowned consistency.

Melbourne Victory

Ange Postecoglou will be aiming to take back the title he held three years ago. His assistant, Kevin Muscat, adds an invaluable understanding and experience as another current Pro License student. They are a strong pairing that have both tasted success. They'll be hungry to feel it again.

Whether and how they evolve the system of play this season will be fascinating. 

Adelaide United

Adelaide United is undergoing a massive cultural shift which leaves open the question of how long it will need to take shape.

Josep Gombau is known to me as a former Barca escolar technical director. My concern for him is the unstable nature of the club, from boardroom to bench.

Gombau's football will be of the highest order, though the variables in a club without a sound foundation to underpin his work is a potential negative. Josep, a highly accomplished coach, may have to overcome that to succeed. 

Brisbane Roar

This season will reveal how Mike Mulvey likes his teams to play now that he has had time to develop his own model.

With Ken Stead - who instituted the football conditioning model that yielded the club so much success - and Jeff Hopkins, another current Pro License student, Mulvey has a team he believes capable of revisiting past glories. 

Perth Glory

Perth Glory made a major impact late last season, with a tremendous change in philosophy and execution in a very short space of time. The club is a stronger proposition that at any time previously, in terms of organisation and a clear team vision.

Alistair Edwards has former teammate Gareth Naven as his assistant. It is a strong pairing with the detailed and thorough Edwards complemented by the strength of character of Naven, who no player wants to challenge. 

How Alistair has Glory playing after an entire off-season of preparation is one of the great fascinations of this season. Perth is another team that will be well organised and understand its opponent very well. 

Sydney FC

Sydney FC is settled under Frank Farina, with a complete preseason under his direction. Most exciting for Sky Blues fans is the acquisition of Rado Vidosic as assistant.

This is a very shrewd move by the club and Frank himself, who is one of the most accomplished managers of men seen in Australian football. Farina augmented his technical staff with a proven technician who takes responsibility for team-building and problem solving, Leaving Frank free to manage the group.

Sydney now has a formidable team and will be far better organised, with a clear understanding of the opponent. 

Newcastle Jets

Gary Van Egmond and his assistant, Craig Deans, face an important season at the helm of the Jets. Their main goal will be to lengthen the number of consecutive games of excellent football and avoid the inconsistency of last season.

The good performances were outstanding and if the Jets can produce that more regularly with a playing group that now possesses more experience, they will be very hard to beat. 

Melbourne Heart

John Aloisi and Hayden Foxe have both been in Europe continuing their formal education and will be the better for a chance of reflection on their first season. 

I’m very much looking forward to seeing them perform with the first season experience under their belts. 

Wellington Phoenix

Last but not at all least is Ernie Merrick, whose return to the league will be absolutely fascinating. He is at the helm of a team that was mostly able to achieve positive results and standing when the competition was disorganised by comparison, but was caught when the change came.

Merrick’s record with Victory was superb, but the league is different now in many ways, not least the level of coaching quality across the competition. This will be a very good test of Ernie’s skills.

Therein lies the point.

The league should test every single coach's abilities, every season. With the level of education across the ten clubs at an all time high, you can be sure that 2013-2014 is going to be an absolute beauty.


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