A Lagos-based former instructor of Premier Skills football workshop and Help The Talent Project (HTTP), Jamiu Mohammed Isa has highlighted the need for coaches to consider struggling players in their teams, Sports247 reports.
The youthful coach, who spent some years playing in England and is fondly called ‘The Future One,’ added that trainers, especially at youth development levels, should avoid what he referred to as coaching bias habit.
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He added in his larest educative write-up for ‘The Future One Diary’ that some coaches miss the chance of grooming unheralded talents who would later excel in life, simply because they were not patient with them while they were growing.
Isa pointed out, “We tend to focus our attention more on striving players in the team and show little concern to struggling players; leaving them stranded, disappointed, frustrated, mentally disturbed and losing interest in football.
“In youth football development, attention has to be given to all categories, with equal opportunities based on ages, abilities, capabilities and progress. Some players show great talent in the early phase but struggle over time; because they can’t cope with pressure.
“Some are incabale of making commitments, struggle to meet high expectations, face external distractuons, battle with internal issues and lack ability to seek feedbacks from the coach or mentor.”
The product of Community Action Through Sport (CATS), who has handled youth and league clubs in Lagos, Ilorin and Ogun State went further by reeling out some ideas, strategies and approaches that youth development and age-grade coaches can use in properly managing struggling players.
“We should manage and cope with struggling players through consistent lecturing and constant practices. A patient coach, who has a microscopic vision, will see that a talented player grows over time and step-by-step to become something great in the future.
“Coaching education gives an insight into finding a balance of attention and intention for us to understand talent development.
It is not only what you see today that matters, but what it would become tomorrow, through optimal guidance and mentorship,” Isa added.
He concluded by affirming the need for patience in grooming future stars and stressed: “Shaping the youth football environment to encourage more participation, performance and progression is extremely important for the next generation.”
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