Fundamentals
Instepper views fundamentals as the technical components of soccer. They include: the first-touch (ball control), passing, dribbling, and shooting
IMPORTANCE
Fundamentals help build and fortify players’ foundations.
- A strong foundation leads to better players.
- A weak foundation leads to average players.
Instepper does not expect players to love working on fundamentals. But if players learn at a young age to put in the time and effort to strengthen their fundamentals, it will pay off in the long run.
All sports, schooling, and careers require strong fundamentals along with a willingness and desire to strengthen them. (top)
PROBLEM
Fundamentals face many problems.
- Players and coaches love good fundamentals. But very few enjoy working on them. It is tough to blame them.
- Fundamentals are repetitive and boring. They should be called “Bored”amentals.
- “Playing” soccer is so much more fun.
- Many players and coaches don’t understand how to execute proper mechanics.
Poor fundamentals will have devastating effects across the soccer spectrum.
- Players will never ever reach their full playing potential.
- Teams, U12s or national teams, will perform poorly against its competition.
- Clubs that do not emphasize and strengthen fundamentals will likely not be around very long. (top)
SOLUTION
Players must be responsible for improving their fundamentals. Players can have the best coach, but if players don’t work on their skills outside of practice, their fundamentals will never be strong enough.
Mentors and Mentoring will improve fundamentals.
- Mentors will make fundamentals FUN, as in “FUN”damentals.
- Who will better motivate younger players to work on their FUNdamentals?
- Older coaches?
- Younger mentors that will assign FUN homework and check in regularly to see how their mentees are doing?
This following expression is so true: “Teaching is the best Teacher”. The simple act of teaching younger players proper fundamental mechanics will improve mentors fundamentals. (top)