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Talking Footballwith Cosmas Zulu
THE great Highlanders teams of the 1980s and 1990s cannot be talked about without mentioning a legendary character like Ali Baba Dube.
If you don’t you are a man without a future. During his time, the man with his vast experience could identify talent. The late Adam Ndlovu, the late Benjani Nkonjera, the late Mercedes Sibanda, Willard Khumalo, Peter Ndlovu, Benjani Mwaruwari; I will run out of space if I want to complete the players this man nurtured.
After saying this about the man I can’t finish without mentioning a man with a lot of passion for this sport, an organiser, a man with vision, a man who won many accolades in school football development for years.
His name is Cuthbert Chiromo, a former headmaster of Mzilikazi High School now at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School.
It is Mzilikazi High School where the Peters, late Benjamin Nkonjera came from and lots more.
We do have another upcoming sports director at Mpopoma High School by the name of James Rugwevera, the man knows what talent is. He is Quelaton FC chairman.
Soccer administrators, owners of grassroots football clubs, I plead with you if we are to build future stars in our country please let’s consult those who were there before.
The most important thing or information in life is free. What do you lose if you invite Ali Baba if you are a junior football coach or official over lunch where you spend $4,00 to share ideas with this great man.
If you are a teacher, headmaster phone Chiromo and make an appointment to go and discuss how to organise a football festival in order to identify talent.
Ladies and gentleman, there is a saying – quote “the dying of an old man in a village is like burning a library.”
His Excellency, the President RG Mugabe is on record encouraging the indigenous farmers to grow their own food.
“Madoda bakithi inja oyondlayo ekhaya kayifanani lenja oyithengayo.”
It is not exaggeration to state that grassroots coaches have perhaps the biggest influence on the future of football by conducting appropriate training sessions for the youngsters in your case you really do touch the future.
What is coaching kids all about?
Not so long ago children learnt football by playing the game for hours on end on the streets or the park making their own rules. It was free play and they played because they enjoyed it.
There were no adults to interfere. For a whole host of reasons street football has virtually disappeared. The challenge for coaches of our youngest players in today’s world is to re-create that environment of fun and freedom in order to deliver the learning experiences that street football used to provide.
I believe that this approach will give thousands of young footballers enjoyable activity. Football used to provide experiences and fostered a love and passion for the game that lasts a lifetime. There is every chance it will help us produce more creative players and skillful dribblers, players that can make a difference in a game that people love to watch.
I remember Ali Baba having a session where kids dribble one another using two fields, just playing for hours with him observing on the touchline without saying a word.
Perhaps the first and most important step to take the word “coach” out of your mind. Your role is summed up in the above title; see yourself as an organiser of fun sessions.
Mistakes are often made at the basic training and development stage. The coaches are responsible because they think they are working with professional teams.
The keep it simple stupid principles applies in many walks of life and teaching football is no exception.
Too many coaches hold the mistaken belief that the more complicated they make the more advanced their knowledge is perceived – simplicity is genius “enjoyable is the thing, not winning.”
If the emphasis is winning matches and winning the whole competition, the development process is doomed to fail and the fun of junior play is replaced by pressure and frustrations of adult football.
The most important values are
A) Enjoyable
B) Personal Achievement
The least important is
C) Winning
Please soccer administrators get this kind of coach.
“The Junior Coach”
Tools needed
1. Personal skill and organisation skill
2. Be enthusiastic
3. Be friendly
4. Show your sense of humor
5. Respect every individual
6. Give lots of praise
7. Ask questions
8. Display excellent social skills
To tell denies another intelligence, to ask honours it. Questions generate awareness and also responsibility.
“Try not to”
1. Shout non-stop from start to finish of the match or at training
2. Treat youngsters like seniors
3. Stay too long on the same exercise
4. Criticize the player in front of group
5. Talk too long
6. Interrupt the session constantly
7. Conduct sessions that are not adapted to the age or ability of players
8. Always do the same type of exercise on the same subject
9. Allow a gradual lowering of standards you set the beginning- lateness etc.
10. Forget the basics of the game.
Until next week…
Online Reporter