Creativity

Why do players need it? Why do so many lack it?

What is the difference between good players and great players? Good players can make good decisions on the ball if given enough time, space, and options, but great players can make good decisions under tremendous pressure, in very limited space, and create options when none exist. Great players have the technical skill, but more importantly, the creativity to make something out of nothing and are dangerous every time they touch the ball. These players play without fear and possess a great passion for the game!

Creative players have an attribute a lot of players lack because of a fear of losing the ball or being criticized by a coach, teammate, or parent. Creative players are not afraid to take on opponents and try to make great things happen on the field. If they fail at first, they will try again and again until they get it right. They play to win and are having fun in the process. Games are fun and are seen as opportunities for them to showcase their newly learned skills and try things that are difficult in the hopes of getting better and helping their team win.

To be clear, creative players are not necessarily “fancy” players who attempt difficult moves with the ball each chance they get (although they can be). By creative, I mean the player knows how to improvise and can problem solve on the field quickly and without hesitation. Sometimes the most creative solutions to a problem are the simplest. Creativity does not always mean complex or difficult movements with the ball. Most of the time, it is very simple but just not expected. Unfortunately, most players are not placed in an environment that nurtures creativity which is crucial to enjoying the game. Often, players are trained in an atmosphere that has strict rules that must be followed. This is a place where the coach’s word is law and things should only be done the coach’s way. Practices consist of activities that do not require players to think outside the box or problem solve, but rather they are forced to only do things directed by the coach. Compounded by the fact that players rarely play soccer without a coach or parent directing them, players struggle to develop the creative intuition needed to develop into a high level player.

What kind of comments do players often hear from coaches & parents? Maybe something to the tune of:

• “Stop dribbling!”
• “Pass the ball!”
• “Never do that!”
• “Just kick it!”

The last one is my favorite (“Just kick it out!”). I never understood the logic behind that comment. A coaching friend once said to me, “In what other sport would a coach yell that to a player? If you are a basketball coach, do you ever tell your point guard to just throw the ball out of bounds when under pressure?” It is a simple point, but I think it hits on something very important. Coaches need to be very careful about what they are encouraging and discouraging young players to do. The undeniable truth is coaches can create players who play scared and timid. Players who are scared of losing the ball, letting down their teammates, disappointing their coach or disappointing their parents will do only what the coach asks for fear of being lambasted for his or her actions. For many players, a lot of the pressure to perform comes from this fear. It is this fear that hinders players from being creative and often cuts players’ careers short because the game is no longer fun for them.

How do we help build creativity?

With the amount of pressure put on kids to reach lofty expectations placed on them, it is not hard to understand why players are scared of doing anything that might make them look like a “bad” player. Expectations are good, but as coaches and parents it is important that we have the PROPER expectations for youth players. Expect the players to make many mistakes and LEARN from them on the field. Expect the players to try something new everyday at practice and in games without fear of failure. Expect the players to be creative and find solutions on their own with the understanding they will struggle at times.

As Thomas Edison once said about creating the light bulb, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that will not work.” As coaches, we need to allow players to find out what works and what does not work. For that to happen, they need to be encouraged to try new skills and find new ways of performing those skills. Remember, like Edison, every time a player fails, they are one step closer to getting it right.

To remove fear from players, coaches and parents must promote kids to be creative and have fun during training sessions. Our expectation needs to be for the players to learn and try new skills at practice and in games without a fear of failure. It is important to teach players to play simple and make good decisions on the field, but it is critical to allow them to take risks by taking on players or trying difficult moves without being scolded if they fail. Players should be applauded at a young age for trying things that are difficult and taking chances. Allowing players to take risks on their own and be creative will permit them to fail or succeed on their own and they will learn over time what works for them and what does not fit their style of play. Often failure is a much stronger learning tool than success. Alongside proper teaching and mentoring, a player learning in an environment that fosters skill development and gives the freedom to discover their strengths and weaknesses will likely become a dynamic and creative player over time.

Playing simple, playing safe, and taking a limited amount of touches are great tactical skills for a player to learn, but without a creative side that breaks these rules at the right time, a player with these tactical qualities will never be better than average. When is the right time to break away from these rules? That is learned by the player through years of playing experience, failure, success, and a coach’s guidance.

Continue to encourage your child to try new moves, take risks around the goal, shoot when given the opportunity, and never be afraid to take on a player with the ball. This is the age that this foundation is laid. It is very difficult to do it once they players are older.