Jurgen Klinsmann, head coach of the USA since July of 2011, earlier this month was re-signed for another four years and Technical
Director was added to his responsibilities. That, in USSF President Sunil Gulati's words, formalized Klinsmann’s previously informal role in influencing the direction of
American player development.
In a USSoccer.com interview,
Klinsmann addressed youth development issues.
On the style of play he’d like to see at the younger levels, Klinsmann said:
“We would love to see a consistent
style of play over time that is defined by being more proactive and more possession-oriented.
“We want more confident players who
have the technical abilities to play out of the
back and to play out of difficult situations and really take the game to
the opponent. We would like to improve the way we play against bigger
nations by facing them eye to eye and having a 50/50
share of possession. We want to signal to them that we are here to play;
we’re not just sitting back and hoping for a counter break. …
“That’s a lot of work
obviously, and it also requires special talent. The key to
all of this is the work that we do on the grassroots level through our
Academies to develop our own players. To transition to a style of play
that is more proactive and more dominant is a long-term project.”
U.S. U-20 coach Tab Ramos, who has also been assisting Klinsmann with the senior team, was named
U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director in November.
“The responsibility we gave Tab Ramos is really important because he’s the
connector to all topics in the youth
sector,” said Klinsmann. “He’s the connector to our youth coaches, Javier Perez with the U18s, Richie Williams with the U17s, Hugo
Perez with the U15s, and Tony Lepore with the U14s. It’s important that he becomes like a think tank of topics where we need improvement.
“We need to
get more messages out there. He’s becoming a very important
messenger of many different things that we need to get out to the
players, to the parents, to the coaches. Hopefully we can intensify
this relationship and use it in a very productive way.”
In the year-end address, Klinsmann encouraged youth coaches to take advantage of coaching education opportunities. The U.S.
Soccer coaching schools are headed by Dave Chesler, the Director of Coaching Development.
“I think the topic of Coaching Education
unfortunately is often not
recognized enough,” Klinsmann said. “Dave Chesler and his team of
instructors are really building the foundation for the future of
knowledge in our coaching education. That foundation will
benefit everyone involved in the game based on the knowledge they spread
to coaches in the licensing courses. His role is priceless. It’s so
important and it’s something that we have to
build on more and more.
“We have to have regular
get-togethers with Dave and his team in order to always question if we are giving out the right information to coaches.
“What is the best way to communicate with kids? What are the main issues
coaches have to think about? What additional information can we give
coaches to pass on to the kids, to the parents, and
to other coaches?
“I think it’s the highest priority for every
coach to get his licenses upgraded, one step at a time but as quickly as
possible, because it’s the highest
sign of credibility. If you do not have your coaching license you do not
have credibility. If parents send their boy or their girl to school,
and the teacher doesn’t have the highest teaching
license, they would question the school. They would probably change
schools and take action right away. It’s the same with soccer.”
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