kippaxblue76 said:LCBblue said:Well, everyone's very technically gifted. Everyone's first touch is well up to scratch, everyone's a 'neat and tidy footballer' so to speak, regardless of position.
When I play for my school football team I'm often a mental stage ahead of the opponents and the likes.
Hope I'm not sounding like an arrogant so and so.
Not at all, it's what goes on upstairs that makes a top footballer, would like you to keep us updated about your progress if you dont mind, best of luck mate.
-- Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:22 pm --
A Blue said:West Brom v City.....League Cup Final...........I scored a goal that day at Wembley.
Hello Glyn/Mike :-)
LCBblue said:kippaxblue76 said:Not at all, it's what goes on upstairs that makes a top footballer, would like you to keep us updated about your progress if you dont mind, best of luck mate.
-- Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:22 pm --
Hello Glyn/Mike :-)
Thank you.
After we play City I'll maybe bump the thread with some updates on the place, the academy in general etc.
LCBblue said:I'm in the under 14's at Leeds United Academy (live over here) and I've been there since I was 9, which is now 5 years and at the end of this season (fingers crossed combined with hard work) will be the end of my 6th season with them.
Won players' player of the year in U9s and 11s also, which were my proudest moments of my life.
Beginning to get serious now too though with a significant 'cull' at the end of the season with 50% of the squad dropped. Tough times.
nashark said:Numerous trials for City, Rochdale, Leeds, united and played for Bolton academy - my first two games were against Bayer Leverkusen and Ajax. Also played for Manchester Boys. I gave up when I discovered I was clever.
macmanson said:I played men's competitive locally in Ottawa, Canada but it wouldn't be pro or even semi-pro level, probably about 6th level in the Canadian soccer pyramind. I mostly devote my time to coaching now but still play in the 7-a-side leagues now.
My son is far better than me and is currently trying out with the Ottawa Fury at the U14 level. They are a semi-pro club playing in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) here in North America. Pretty much the only club in the area that has an Academy style program as you would see in Europe and have some pretty successful (by NA standards) youth teams.
macmanson said:LCBblue said:I'm in the under 14's at Leeds United Academy (live over here) and I've been there since I was 9, which is now 5 years and at the end of this season (fingers crossed combined with hard work) will be the end of my 6th season with them.
Won players' player of the year in U9s and 11s also, which were my proudest moments of my life.
Beginning to get serious now too though with a significant 'cull' at the end of the season with 50% of the squad dropped. Tough times.
Cheers LCBlue. I currently coach U14s (doing Futsal this winter here in Canada, we were champions in it at U13) and I was wondering if you could provide some insight into the types of training that you get at that age in the Leeds Academy.
I've been spending a good deal of time going over the principles of play with these boys which focuses on the concepts of 1st, 2nd and 3rd attackers or defenders depending on if you are in possession or not. They seem to struggle a little with the 3rd attacker concept and the idea of 3rd man runs, while the 1st attacker & 2nd attacker concepts (dribble into space, pass and move, combination play, etc) seems to be second nature to them.
It's often very hard to find quality players in these parts because the majority of coaches focus on formation training with the usual 442 kick and rush style play, so their technical ability is usually pretty shit and is probably the reason we as a country suck so bad. :) I've given up on trying to coach my lad through the local clubs for this reason and have him trying out for a local semi-pro club (Ottawa Fury) so that he can play with some lads at his skill level.