Since soccer has had only recently a strong upsurge of interest in the U.S. (compared to world involvement with the game), the need for better coaching is an urgent one.

We have much to learn if we are to match the level of performance in other countries. But our “new” interest in the sport gives us the advantage of allowing us to avoid all the trial-and-error periods in the development of the game as well as in the methods of coaching. We can advance at once toward modern standards. With a sound analysis of modern play, coaching and training, and its application to our particular needs, we can make rapid progress in “today’s” game.

My original plan on an eight-month tour of European soccer coaching was to go from country to country and, by observing and filming the top teams in these countries, establish what was unique in the approach to coaching and training soccer in each nation. But it became clear that soccer coaches had been exchanging ideas through international clinics.

This, of course, had led to a general similarity in approach. And differences were mainly ethnic and temperamental in nature or a result of the status held by the sport.

It was in the individual coach, regardless of nationality or cultural background, where a particular method could be distinguished. This was a result of his distinctive personality and knowledge and interpretation of the modern game. There seemed to be as many coaching and training methods as there were good coaches.

Cultural differences in the game
Although soccer is played with the same rules the world over, the style of play differs in various regions. Climate, temperament and history all contribute to style. It is an aspect of character, individual or national.

For example, a colorful team that stresses individuality and avoids physical contact is characteristic of a Latin style. They like a short passing game with much ball handling. They hate the shoulder charge or sliding tackle. They would rather interfere with a player by illegally pulling his shirt to slow him down or intercept by deliberate handling of the ball. And instead of tackling they prefer to hamper the man with the ball so that he may make a pass that can be intercepted.

The English have a more athletic, uncomplicated style of soccer, with maximum physical aggressiveness. And the Germans add to that high tactical organization and Spartan discipline. The most diverse game or happy medium is played in Central Europe.

There are great differences between the play of a country with a long soccer history, like England, and countries where development came later. Because England learned by tradition and practice, it has many customs that stem from the past. Other countries, beginning later, could study the results of their experience and adapt a game unhampered by habit and suited to their own temperament.

Hurdles created by cultural differences
These cultural differences in play cannot be easily overcome. Disregard for them can lead to frustration. The Brazilian world star of the 1960s, Didi, could never make the transition to Spain’s Real Madrid, for example. The same was true for the English star, Greaves, who was never able to perform at top level in Italy. A German coaching South American players, without adaptation to their point of view, could indeed be in an unhappy situation.

This also works in reverse, as coaches in Great Britain are learning. They are now sending out their professional players as coaches to amateur and school teams. By being forced to think about the game, analyze skills and game situations for teaching purposes, these player-coaches realize the importance in their own play of moving off the ball, unselfish overlap running, quick passing and the like.

The professional coach must be able to articulate a systematic plan for training. This does not result from mere chance, or from playing experience alone, but from study and training for the specific job.

Theoretical knowledge of the game and tactical analysis, with understanding of pedagogy, human anatomy, physiology and modern psychology, make a vast difference in determining top-notch coaches. Aside from his unique contribution as a personality, his schooling is becoming increasingly important.

All major soccer nations have developed some form of professional preparation for future coaches. There still exist, however, great differences in the quality and status of these coaches’ preparatory schools. Germany, Austria and Hungary, for example, offer such preparation on a two- to three-year basis in college and their graduates are called Fussball Lehrer (soccer teacher), Sportlehre (teacher of sports specializing in soccer ), or master coach, respectively.

Whereas in England, Spain and other countries, special courses are offered for the Football Association coaching certificate or “Preparador de Futbol.” These courses stretch over a period of two to three years involving a four- to eight-week course each year. Preliminary certificates have to be obtained before advancement to higher stages can be made. And during these years the prospective coaches have to work in the field. A final examination concludes the entire course for a soccer coaching certificate.

Challenges increase with complexity
As the complexity of the game has increased, so have the challenges to the coach. The Committee on Technical Study of the World Cup Games stated that “the game of soccer will develop as a more attractive spectacular if greater technique can be achieved by the teams now emphasizing physical conditioning and tactics. Equally those teams relying on skill will have to improve in the use of tactics which demand higher all-around physical conditioning.”

Only 10 years ago the soccer world was astonished by the action radius of De Stefano, his stamina and his versatility in playing. But nowadays we hope for 10 De Stefanos or multi-purpose players. The game today is much more sophisticated; elements of chance are virtually eliminated. Players have to be mentally alert, able to act instantly and be physically fit for a constant fluidity of movement.

The goals in today’s coaching of soccer could be summed up as follows:

• Advance in skills and techniques of the game to achieve perfect coordination with the ball at high speed in limited space.
  
• Advance in intellectual understanding of the game to achieve a faster response to more purposeful and diversified play.
  
• Advance in tactics and strategy to achieve better coordination within various segments of the team but particularly with the team as a whole.
  
• Advance in physical fitness or conditioning to be able to step up the pace of the game and sustain a high physical work rate throughout the match.

• Total distance covered in the game varies from 2,500 to 7,000 yards
  
• Running at speed in the game varies from 500 to 2,500 yards.
  
• Walking or jogging in the game varies from 2,000 to 4,500 yards.

Equally important is the mental and psychological preparation for play. Such influences on performance as readiness, motivation and confidence are other effects of coaching technique. These must be properly selected for the individual, but nevertheless adjusted to the natural disposition and personality of the coach. Obviously, for today’s soccer needs, “mass” coaching must be replaced by individual or small group work.

Editor’s note: A founding member of U.S. Soccer’s coaching school, Hubert Vogelsinger is the director of the Vogelsinger Soccer Academies.