Weekly Q&A Episode 7: Height In Football

[@bendenton580]

I recently watched a league one game, northampton v charlton and was shocked by the standard of the players, who were 98% tall, physical, poor technically english players. The ball was up in the air for the majority of the match. The two best players on the pitch were 5'7 & 5'9 both strikers. One of the smaller strikers came on the pitch and changed the game. His intelligence, touch and creativity was a step up from the rest of the team. Charltons striker, May is the top scorer in the league. Until the academies stop their obsession with physicality over technicality we will never produce intelligent and well balanced teams. Bellingham is as much of an anomaly as Messi. The game is designed for both tall and small players, they both have positions all over the pitch that suit them. You need a blend of technicality and physicality, not a cloning system that looks at one type of player and then try to reproduce that same player all over the pitch. I very much doubt messi would have been given a contract in the 90's/00's, if he had been in this country, no matter how good he was at youth level. Academies need to focus more on getting the players ready for mens football, rather than making charts on how tall they will be. Give them the skills to succeed rather than a stick to beat them with over something they have no control over. They all want to win their games against other academies over actually developing the player holistically with the player at the centre of their care.

[@andziniho3883]

I feel girls playing with boys in PE and in school, really helps develop their strength, resilience and quickness on the ball. Holly our daughters time on a boys really brought her along, knowing she is able to match up against them. Whether it was shooting, physically or pace, her problem was no longer seeing herself as a goalkeeper or defender.

[@stupitt9411]

I just worry the Academy system is only producing one type of player. I just don’t feel the academy system is always the best way to develop a player, the 99% that doesn’t make it isn’t a great number

[@garybradshaw2560]

Interesting point about 86% of CEOs in America played elite level sport. I do think the academy journey does help children look at their own development and with or without football this will help them in life as long as they are not only bothered about being a professional footballer.

[@lukebignell7846]

There is NO WAY that 86% of CEOs in America played elite level sport. I severely doubt they even include 10% of CEOs in their survey. Also what do they define as elite level sport?

[@neildean7515]

Great podcast, children(6-12years) love to play and thats what they come for. If the practice is ability, age specific & they enjoy and learn, thats great, but ultimately its about practicing and playing at the correct lvl so the child is involved and challenged. BUT PLAYING is the ulimate test of ability and development and the lvls are massive here in Barcelona, you have to earn the right to play at the top in 7s here at under 6-12 years…

[@Do27gg]

Interesting point about positions. Like even world class talents like Trent are changing positions after winning everything in club football, so pigeon hole a 13 year old in a specific position is crazy

[@kanehardy6088]

I’ve recently become a bit obsessed with my sons football journey he’s in an academy but I think from this episode I need to just like you said ENJOY the journey and relax ❤️