Gary Lineker says pushy parents are damaging England's chances of developing international class players. The ex-England striker claimed in the New Statesman that the country's "long-ball culture" has been "exacerbated by the maniacal parents on the touchline spouting nonsense at their children". But the BBC Match of the Day presenter praised the FA's decision to bring in smaller-sided games on smaller pitches. He also praised the role of academies saying: "The revolution has begun." Lineker, 52, who played 80 times for England scoring 48 goals, believes the approach of some parents was harming children's confidence and that "big lads" who play direct football have too often been favoured in the youth ranks. He said: "It's obvious, then, why we have a long-ball culture: the big lads who can kick it furthest are the ones that stand out." And then, in reference to the technical, short passing-based game favoured by world and European champions Spain, he added: "What chance for the diminutive yet gifted midfielder? No chance of him developing his tiki-taka football. "The only way to get to the other end of the pitch is to belt it and then belt it again." He continued: "The competitive nature of most mums and dads is astounding. The fear they instil in our promising but sensitive [youngsters] is utterly depressing. We need a parental cultural revolution." Lineker believes things are gradually changing, with some academies insisting that parents must be quiet and only applaud. He said: "This has allowed talented young players to express themselves on the field, to take people on, to try a trick, all without the dreaded, predictable rubbish cascading into their ears. This is a very good thing." Lineker's comments follow the creation of a Football Association commission, a body designed to improve the fortunes of the England national team. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24660579
He's right there. Nowt better than standing there pretending your the greatest tactician ever, sharing your knowledge with the kids. Better atmosphere than flares too.
It's not just pushy parents but result driven coaches too. My nephew is 12 and plays for Rotherham academy. He's a brilliant little footballer, unfortunately the 'little' bit outweighs the 'brilliant' bit. He's getting sidelined more and more in favour of bigger, stronger lads who aren't half the talent he is. Even before his teen years he's falling out of love with football and for a kid who since the age of 4 has constantly had a football at his feet, that's a crying shame.
He's not wrong at all. I'm not gonna be so egotistical as to claim I could have been a professional footballer, but looking back on it, I (and a lot of my team mates) were much better than we were allowed to be. The only mantra I was ever given through my years playing Sunday league or for my school was "get stuck in", if I wasn't absolutely blathered in mud by the end of the game then I hadn't tried enough. There was no reward or credit for playing a tidy through ball or a clever flick on. It was the same for every team though, games down in the Wyke league just became absolute slog fests and it's not hard to tell why England can't win the World Cup, or why you can count the number of professional footballer from Hull on one hand.
He's not wrong at all. I'm not gonna be so egotistical as to claim I could have been a professional footballer, but looking back on it, I (and a lot of my team mates) were much better than we were allowed to be. The only mantra I was ever given through my years playing Sunday league or for my school was "get stuck in", if I wasn't absolutely blathered in mud by the end of the game then I hadn't tried enough. There was no reward or credit for playing a tidy through ball or a clever flick on. It was the same for every team though, games down in the Wyke league just became absolute slog fests and it's not hard to tell why England can't win the World Cup, or why you can count the number of professional footballer from Hull on one hand.
He's not wrong at all. I'm not gonna be so egotistical as to claim I could have been a professional footballer, but looking back on it, I (and a lot of my team mates) were much better than we were allowed to be. The only mantra I was ever given through my years playing Sunday league or for my school was "get stuck in", if I wasn't absolutely blathered in mud by the end of the game then I hadn't tried enough. There was no reward or credit for playing a tidy through ball or a clever flick on. It was the same for every team though, games down in the Wyke league just became absolute slog fests and it's not hard to tell why England can't win the World Cup, or why you can count the number of professional footballer from Hull on one hand.
He needs to stick with it, at youth level the smaller players have to develop their skill, control and speed in order to compete with the bigger lads. But when they finally grow and bulk out those skills are what separate them from the rest. The big lads now can just muscle their way through games at the expensive of developing their skill and it can catch up with them when it becomes a level playing field.
That's my experience too. The other one that annoys me is when someone tries something clever or skillful and fails everyone groans and then shouts 'none of the fancy stuff!' Also training for Sunday league teams was pretty pointless. Just a few randomly selected drills followed by a free-for-all match where the keeper goes up front for a nice change. There never seemed to be a particular focus on any skills or situations to improve on. I played as a winger in Sunday league and never practiced crossing or beating a man except in my own time.
I bet it's the same on the continent though. Parents wanting the best for their kids and trying to compensate for their own failures at that age, will always happen, it's not just a British trait. From my experiences in the Hull Boys League, there were a lot of punch ups and arguments in car parks. But, i find them memories more entertaining then it was playing. Mainly because i was ****e, and fell out love with it. I was always descriminated against for my height as well. Sob sob.
In my junior Sunday league team, at my age level I was by far the best kicker of the ball. I used to play in the age above until I was nagged and nagged by my mates and their parents until I finally gave in and joined my age team. Because I could hit it both harder and more accurately than anyone else, I was taken from being a winger to a centre half (where I couldn't defend for ****) and the game plan was pass it to me, I hit it as hard as I can, every single game. After half a season of 16-0 losses, winning one game which was the only game we didn't lose, I told them to **** off, couldn't get back in the other team as the places were full and I've never played again since.
I played football for my school and to be perfectly honest, I didn't even notice my dad screaming on the sidelines. IF kids aren't strong enough to blank the crowd and concentrate on their game.. They shouldn't be footballers. It's the same with football supporters at games. They are strong enough to ignore the crowd, songs don't lift them or put them off. The ONLY reason fans are allowed to watch the game, is to pay the players wages. IF the fans did affect their teams play..................... why is it that some teams win when they play behind closed doors, in empty stadia? "but were the 12th man!" bollocks... you are there to make sure the players get paid because you parted with your hard earned cash
Patty that's one of the ****test posts I've seen in a long time. The bit about empty stadia is so ****ing stupid. I can't understand how that thought can go through your head and you think "Yeah I'll post that, makes perfect sense."
Thing is most kids will never encounter well qualified or experienced coach's. Boys sunday league teams are generally run by a few parents giving up their time and money for the benefit of their children and their mates. One or two of these parents will end up coaching them. Me old man coached my brothers team for a few years, basically because there was no one else to do it. To be fair to the old man, in his youth he represented the county, toured France and went on to play for the premier local team. Unfortunately this was as a rugby player. So not really qualified to coach football. You'd always get the odd team that's the exception. But these seem to be where the lads with the pushiest parents end up. Remember Jossy's Giants...
I agree tho' that the coaches at grass roots level are shocking... blaming the spectators is a cop out.
yes, that's right... footballers don't concentrate on their football game, they focus on what the crowd are saying... *shakes head and walks away* ****ing unbelievable.
In Holland clubs ban parents from attending training and have to agree to not utter a word if watching them play a game, and even then aren't always allowed to watch.
