The Youth Football Guide – No. 12: Stars in Their Eyes
Welcome to the twelfth installment of a small series of serialisations of my book “A Guide to Surviving Youth Football” If you like what you see and want to read more please do go and purchase a copy of the book by going to amazon.
Stars in Their Eyes
Many young footballers dream of being able to play for their favourite team. When they play football they will try and emulate their favourite players, copying moves, skills and mannerisms they have seen on TV. Their bedrooms will be adorned with all the latest club merchandise and they won’t be seen out without the shirt of their favourite team on with the name and number of their favourite player on the back.
Instead of playing for the team, players with stars in their eyes will play for themselves and only worry about how good they look. They aren’t interested in the result as long as they can score some goals or put in a good performance. These players will want their egos stroked and people to praise them by giving them man of the match awards, captaincy and have people singing their praises.
Unfortunately the sad reality of football is that only a very tiny percentage of children who play football will go on to make a living as a professional footballer. However, due to the way footballers are perceived with the media attention they get, the money they get paid, the lifestyles they lead and the fame they receive it makes youngsters want it even more regardless of how small the odds are. Young people have more belief than adults and regardless of how many times you tell them how hard it is going to be they won’t comprehend it. So whatever you say, you won’t deter them from their dreams which in a way is a good thing as young people need to be allowed to dream because if they are prepared to work hard enough they can achieve their dreams.
Players with stars in their eyes will usually play for more than one team and will only stay with a team if they are winning. As soon as they start losing they will not turn up for training and show a disinterest in the club, paying more interest in their other teams. If you let them, some players will refuse to turn up to training but expect to play in every game as they think they are untouchable, acting as though you need them more than they need you. Players like this will always try and threaten you as a coach telling you that they are going to go to another club or speak openly and outwardly about how rubbish they think the team is, showing no respect for you as a coach. They will think that they are the reason the club performs so well and think it has nothing to do with the coach their training and their tactics.