Georgia Kid at West Ham..

Article written by Robert Ziegler, ESNN
Reprinted with permission from www.topdrawersoccer.com.

When Steve and Anne Johnson preside over their quartet of sons at Christmas dinner in their Duluth, GA home, it will be as happy and typical as any other occasion.

It's after the holiday season where the unique quality of the family situation kicks in. The Johnsons' son Daniel is an exceptional case in the context of American elite youth soccer. It's not that his dreams are so different from those of many other young men playing the beautiful game, but rather how vigorously he has, with his parents' help of course, pursued them.

DJ with his parents Steve and Anne.

Daniel, 16, is in the middle of his 3rd season with the youth side of English club West Ham United. He will learn in the coming year whether he is being signed on as a U18 "scholar" player with the club (the final step before the professional reserves and first team side of the London club). Regardless of whether that ultimate dream is realized, Daniel has been on a rather extraordinary journey. Both the details of it and the attitude which he and his parents have developed in the process are part of a story worth telling.

While his brothers (Zack-21, Nick,-18, and Drew-13) continue their educational and athletic pursuits back home, Daniel's route has been far more cosmopolitan. He was a precocious player who showed a tremendous enthusiasm for the game at an early age. Anne Johnson explains how things changed.

"His oldest brother Zack played for the Norcross Fury Gold and so Dan was dragged to games when he was younger. You know how it can be for the younger siblings, so we just said 'Here's a ball, go over there and kick it around,'" she explained. "Well around the time he was 7 or 8, he was just doing circles around the other kids. He had an affinity for the ball. He loved to dribble and he always had a ball in the house or in the backyard. We had him in other sports and he would do his requisite season in those and then just tell us 'Nah, I don't like that sport. I want to do soccer.' My husband played baseball in college and he wanted him to do that, but Daniel just said 'I don't like baseball. I like soccer.'"

Anne explained that while she had some exposure to the game growing up in Africa (child of a foreign service professional), neither she nor her husband had any understanding of the American competitive or player development scene. Daniel continued to progress in part through extra training at an area indoor facility and through coaches like Tony Annan at Norcross and Forsyth Fusion director Kerem Dasar. She mentions Casar passing on one particularly helpful point of advice.

DJ after a West Ham youth game.
 

"He told Daniel he would hear parents on the sidelines screaming things like 'Pass the ball.' But he said 'Don't listen to them. I want you to take on players. If you can take on the entire team, I want you to do it.' It was the right idea for him at that time (U11). It's not that you would do this at U15, but it turned out to be astute advice. He let Daniel be Daniel and the little guy was able to go a little freestyle and have fun on the pitch."

Around this time, Daniel, a 1995 birth year player, made the Georgia ODP '94 team in the age group's first year. As a result he went to the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III ODP camp in Mississippi, which began to open up a new world in terms of his possibilities.

"That's when we started to get the idea that maybe Daniel really is good at this sport," she said. "So my husband is in Mississippi and he calls to say Daniel made a pool game. I asked what that meant and he said he didn't know, but then he made another pool game."

What it meant is that despite playing a year up, Daniel was selected to be on the Region III team and traveled to Disney's Wide World of Sports where he played in the ODP Interregional, despite giving up a considerable amount of size to his teammates and opponents.

As Daniel continued catching eyes in the soccer marketplace, he had what turned out to be a life-changing opportunity to go on a soccer trip to England with some Atlanta-area players including an older brother. The Johnsons made it a family trip and Daniel was allowed to train with coaches of English clubs like West Ham and Tottenham.

Two things happened in conjunction with this: The coaches overseas were noticing the younger player's ability and Daniel was taking a real liking to the soccer-rich environment he was in, His mother remembers him saying it was like he had "come home." As Daniel recalls, it was love at first sight.

"All the people there are football fans. Everyone is football oriented. When I was little, that's what I was all about," he said. I just wanted to watch the (English) premier league. I didn't have anybody at school to talk to about a match I played in or saw at the weekend. When I come to school now, that's what everybody is talking about."

After being noticed on this trip, a trial the following spring, April 2008, was arranged. He did well enough to be invited back for another couple of sessions, including a trip to France with the West Ham U14s. By summer 2009 the West Ham youth coaches told the Johnsons they wanted him in the youth academy full time. The then 13-year old Daniel was able to make the move because his father's company included a branch in the United Kingdom, qualifying him for a work visa. Daniel enrolled in boarding school and is now in his third year of school and playing with what is now the West Ham U16s.

DJ in front of Selfridges Department store in Central London.

While the past 2 ½ years has featured some ups and downs, after all the whole process of the British youth system involves players regularly proving their worth and passing tests of various natures to determine their suitability as candidates for professional soccer, Daniel speaks very positively about his life in London.

He lives in a boarding house associated with his school. School lasts from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. After about 45 minutes for eating and preparing to train he is transported to the training ground for 1-2 hours of practice depending on the day of the week. Some days also involve time in the gym, and Thursday brings a whole day of on-field, technical, classroom and gym training.

Match days are Saturday and free time from soccer (as if) comes on Sundays and Mondays. Daniel's team plays in a Southeast England league against Premiership teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Fulham (he recently played central midfield in a match against Dallas-area product Emerson Hyndman, who is with the Fulham youth setup).

Daniel admits it took some time to adjust to playing English soccer, but is very positive about his experience thus far.

"The most notable thing is the intensity, passion and quickness of the game," he said. "All the kids want to be there and become a professional. That's what they want to do. The club always tells us, 'It's not practice makes perfect, it's practice makes permanent. The way you train is the way you'll be in the match.' So every kid takes the training sessions very seriously. They get the most out of you."

"The quickness and intensity alone can be a great shock to some of the American kids who come over on trial. A lot of times I see that the game just passes them by."

Daniel said the learning in this environment never stops.

"From a tactical standpoint, it took me a while to get better awareness of playing 1-2 touch and having my head on a swivel to know where everybody is on the pitch," he said. "I'm still getting that awareness. The whole U14 season I was working on checking my shoulder when I received a pass. I kind of knew to do that before, and I'm still not the best at it, but I'm definitely more aware.

"West Ham encourages a lot of technical ability," he continued. " Every Wednesday we have a 30-minute technical session in the warmup, working on agility with cones and all that. They always say they don't want to discourage me from dribbling, but for me to do it in the right areas. In the middle of park, they want me to keep moving the ball and get the attack started, but in the final third, if I see an opportunity with the defenders, to try and create something. "

School in the UK brings another variety of challenges.

"I wouldn't say I find it more difficult, just much different," he said. "The style with which they teach and the manners are differernt. The teachers talk and teach here, but not as much. They write a lot of notes and you copy them down you study and learn more on you own. There is more emphasis on the exams and how you do on those determines if you move on (to higher grades and levels).

Daniel added that if he is signed as a scholar he would do his additional schooling with the club as his soccer training would then take priority in the schedule.

As far as settling in with English life, Daniel feels he has largely done it.

"There haven't been any kids who single me out because I'm an American," he said. "Obviously you get the odd joke, but I can give one back. The only place I really see where being an American affects me is if I play football for my school. Some kids will hear my accent and sometimes I get comments. You can tell they don't like being beaten or shown up by an American in a sport that's supposed to be their sport.

Anne Johnson said she and her husband have tried to soften the transition and also take advantage of the cultural opportunities available to Daniel; visiting him during school breaks and taking in shows, museums and other cultural events. She added that the family is feeling positive about his opportunities to be signed, but are taking nothing for granted as coaches do not generally communicate with players' families beyond the absolute essentials.

"Things look good, but we know it's professional sports," she said. "They want to make sure their players are mentally strong and able to handle things professional athletes have to deal with. It's a lot of pressure for a 16-year old, but that's the nature of the beast for the kids who love it so well they want to do this."

While Steve Johnson's work visa enables Daniel to be a youth player, the family and club will still have to sort out tight British work permit rules should the chance come to sign as a full professional, but for now they'll leave that one to the attorneys.

For Daniel, perspective is a must, but he makes no secret of his goals.

"If it doesn't work it will still have been a great experience," he said. "I've learned so much, so coming back it will benefit my play, but the goal is definitely to stay."

The Women's National Team Agenda..... By Jen Johns

April Heinrichs, the US Soccer Women’s Technical Director and Jill Ellis, US Soccer Director of Development for the US Women’s National Team are trailblazers. The first of their kind with US Soccer, they are working without a blueprint for their positions. Nevertheless, they are providing strong leadership and a clear vision for not only the national team, but also coaches and players nationwide.

Speaking at the NSCAA convention on Friday, Jan 13, 2011, in between National camps and Qualifying match responsibilities, Heinrichs and Ellis clearly outlined the future for US Women’s Soccer and Player development.
For the first time in US Women’s Soccer history, there is a defined mission and a long-term approach for how to maintain a leadership position. Why? In the past, the United States was at the forefront of women’s soccer. Our women were strong, tough, assured and their skills were complete, but basically physically overpowered those who were late in adopting the sport for women. We found a way to win.

The 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup was a perfect example of how the rest of the world has eliminated the dominance gap and changed the way the game is played… with an emphasis on increased technical ability as with such teams as Japan and France. This increased emphasis on possession and passing outplays those relying on physical dominance. Countries that have been focusing on technical skills and playing possession have discovered new success. April, after travelling to Malaysia for camps shares, “Some Asian countries haven’t yet realized just how good they are… and when they do…” there will be even more countries at the top competing for the World Cup.

Heinrichs and Ellis have defined the (first ever) mission of US Women’s Soccer for our 300 national level players (from the WNT team through U14) on down through every female player in the youth game. They have formed a task force made up equally of members of all segments of the women’s game (USYS, ODP, ECNL, Colleges, former National team players and Elite coaches). Armed with task force intel, Heinrichs and Ellis and the team of National coaches have selected our style and our system, and have also indentified changes in vision, which will impact the selection and training of future national team players.

First and foremost, the mission of the US Women’s National Team program is:

• To deliver more technically and tactically sophisticated players to the full women’s national team in an effort to sustain performance success over the next 20 years.
• To prepare more competent and sophisticated coaches – capable of developing international athletes and teams.
• To develop players and teams to win medals at every youth Women’s World Cup.
• To lead, inspire and unite American coaches, players, administrators and parents to embrace the development and enhancement of the Women’s Game.

The Next 20 years: Player Identification Model

Style and System: Defined

The United States Women’s national team system will be a 4-3-3 or variations therein (e.g. 4-2-3-1). Heinrichs asserts, “More important than the system, however, is the STYLE of play.” The US teams will be building out of the back, through the midfield and into the attacking third with POSSESSION, combination and flank play while exhibiting creativity.

The U.S. style will also include players inter-changing both lanes (e.g. up and down the field), lines (e.g. Up front, midfield and backs.), and speed. Players changing formation with creativity and at changing pace creates unpredictability and helps control our destiny.

We are looking for forwards that are diverse in their ability to break down defenses individually and in combination, in front of or behind the defense with increased pressure.

As mentioned, the international game is evolving as is the sophistication and organization of the opponents’ defenses. We must rely on technical and individual ability to solve pressure because in this evolved game, the team who can keep the ball will win more. Note the passes and passing effectiveness at the elite level:

On defense, there will be collective pressing in the attacking, midfield and defensive thirds, established defending to dictate and disrupt the flow of play… and there will be unpredictable changes in lines of confrontation within the game to further shake opposing attacks. Defense will be in small groups or lines with recovering all over the field from every position. Each and every player will have a great defense presence and technique.

The U.S. center backs will initiate the attack by distributing the ball low, high and wide and with pace!

In midfield, we must also be dangerous. NO longer are we focusing solely size and strength in midfield. Homare Sawa, Japan’s center midfielder and winner of the Golden boot, Golden Ball was named the FIFA World Cup MVP and 2011 FIFA World Player of the year. At only 5’3” Sawa was both the leading goal scorer and led with the highest passing percentage, proving that tactical awareness and possession outplays power. In the United States midfield, we will focus not only on possession and changing the point of attack and tempo of the game, but also creating final passes and taking shots.

Scouting: Who are they looking for? 

Players who demonstrate that following:

• First and foremost: Technical mastery. National Team Players have generally dedicated about 10,000 hours and 10 years of deep deliberate practice with a “performance focus in training.”
• Psychosocial skills: Coach-ability, grittiness, “Love to train,” passion, creativity.
• Tactical awareness. They look for players that demonstrate an immersion in the game and an awareness and understanding of the strategies at play.
• Physical preparation. Of course, players selected will have certain physical attributes. However, players must come to camp physically prepared. At that level in camp, coaches aren’t spending time on fitness – players handle that on their own. The players must reach and repeat technical skills and fitness on the edge of their abilities.

Factors limiting Elite players in the game today – How you can help!

Local club coaches and parents spend 99% of on field time with players and as such are a huge part of the US National Team development. As such, April and Jill view all levels of player and coaches as a partnership.

Players today play 100+ games per year. Between club, ODP, US YNT, High School and their individual training, players are overtaxed. Ideally, players should be playing 40-50 games per year.

The focus for the youth teams is on winning and not individual player development, hence more games. Training to game ratio is 2:1… Ideally that should be 7-8:1.

In that training, elite coaches expect players to train with sustained technical work. 35-40 minutes without interruption on key technical skills. Jill Ellis shared how National Team Head Coach Pia Sundhage’s patience on key technical and tactical parts of the game raises the level of attention with her players and develops pride in the pass or skill in focus. Technical correction is key with the ability to demonstrate, evaluate and correct the skill at all levels of the game.

Generally speaking, Heinrichs states, US level of instruction from the grassroots level and up has been stagnant over the last 20 years. Level of coaching instruction is relatively limited at the beginning of a player’s development, that is, during the 8-12 year old’s key skill acquisition years. We need to encourage elite coaches to take younger teams to promote the technical on-the-ball skills they require in the future.

At later ages, 14-16 and up, position specific training is needed. Developing technical and tactical skills associated with key positions is necessary. April suggests, “think about taking a second tier forward and making them wing backs.“ We do need specialists at the National level. The players’ individual personality, style and demeanor will help select the position, but development is key. The YNT positional needs include outside backs, center backs, goalkeepers and goal scorers.

Another limitation at the youth level is that there are limited challenging opportunities (playing up). Due to the sheer numbers of youth players in the US at every age group, there are not enough opportunities for elite players to play with older, more advanced players. They begin to think they KNOW (about the game, what to do, everything they need to know) when they have only just begun the journey. April tells new youth national team players that though they have come a long way to get to camp – they are only at the 20 yard live of a 100-yard dash.

Cost. We need to find a way to lower the cost to play so we don’t have the best athletes leave the sport for less expensive options like basketball and track.

Watch the game! Youth players don’t watch the game on TV for tactical awareness. Albertin Montoya, U17 WNT coach, joined the discussion and supports its importance. “We need to encourage players at all ages to become students of the game and as such -- watch the elite game on TV. Adopt favorite teams and follow key players. Report back to coaches about things you liked and didn’t like about your favorite players/teams. Watch games with your players to guide them through the tactical play. It’s documented that those who watch the modern game are more tactically aware players on the field.”

Again, the US Women’s National team is among the worlds best. Pia, April, Jill, Albertin and their coaching staff team is focused on maintaining our leadership with a vision that isn’t merely match to match, but a long-term technical approach that relies on a partnership with all that love the game.

The "Show"

I first heard this expression from an over eager entrepreneur on the soccer scene in Charleston SC referring to the annual NSCAA Convention. Unlike many of us in the game who use this to network, catch up with old soccer friends, and maybe pick an idea or two (or buy the latest software, website, or training gimmick!) I think he actually thought it was an actual show for him and his cronies to sell their hair-brained ideas about how to make millions off all of us coaches!
I digress....
For those who have never experienced this "Show" it is an awesome experience for anyone who is truly a soccer junkie. Your first time is always unforgettable as there is so much free stuff being thrown around that you end up with more trinkets, mousepads, mini balls and an additional airline fee for all the extra baggage! All that aside, it is a positive experience that allows thousands of soccer professionals from the youth and HS coaches all the way up to MLS to take part in a 4 day soccer extravaganza. You will even find the occasional European, South American, or Asian coach as a guest presenter.

Overall some grow tired or weary of the event with the disclaimer that it's always the same or there aren't any new ideas coming out of the convention anymore. Anytime I am asked about the take away
My response is just that of a coach.... You get out of it what you put into it. For those looking to meet new people in the soccer world, find that cutting edge software, interview some new candidates for a job, or just catch up with those you don't see all year long it is the perfect storm.
Below are some highlights for "The Show" this year but like everyone else my circle may not include some of things that others saw, heard, or weren't supposed to see or hear....
Enjoy.

Most interesting Presenter
Tom-san (Tom Byer) --- The coach most responsible for changing the development in Japan over the last 20 years. An American who played professionally there after college and continued on as Director of Coerver Asia and has now started his own brand, soccer schools, morning TV, and more. His emphasis is the technical development of players ages 5 -12 and creating a buzz about soccer that Japanese kids can't get away from.

Most Crash and Burn Talk
Eric Wynalda - This guy just can't help himself. He must have called out 1/2 of the professional players in the US including Eddie Pope and Freddie Adu as wasted talent. He bashed MLS, how it develops players, how the system runs, and the current timing of the season. If he was going for the shock and awe affect he hit the nail on the head!

Best On - Field Session
Peter Vermes - Manager Sporting Kansas City FC - This session was well prepared and very organized. He had an assistant helping him run the session so he could not only coach the players but also instruct the coaches. Why every coach doesn't have one I don't know! The topic flowed and progressed and the players seemed to enjoy themselves. At this point I rarely write down an entire session but I was taking notes on the entire session to add them to my list of activities. The session was dynamic and actually made the kids in the session better.