What is our goal?

Three things, technique, insight and communication; TIC. The idea is that while they are separate elements they need to be taught together, in fact in the learning process they are inseparable. Think of TIC as one word, techniqueinsightcommunication.

Training dribbling for the sake of dribbling or passing for the sake of passing misses the point. The aim of the pass or dribble is to achieve an objective, for example, to advance the ball against the opponents or keep possession. Without an objective the technique has no meaning. If the objective is not about "playing soccer" then the time is wasted.

It's normal to see technique alone being touted as the key to success in soccer. The media buzz is always about the great moments of individual brilliance that win games. These moments are truly memorable and usually center around someone's "brilliant control, deft touch, a spectacular run, acrobatic goal and so." This is reinforced with the all of the DVD's, tapes, coaching schemes, skills clinics and programs that promote technique as the key to mastering the opponent and rising to the next level. Learn these 20 moves and you'll be a star.

Technique is very important. But when it's isolated from the rest of the game there's a problem. Having the greatest technique in the world is useless if the player is not in the right place at the right time. This player can do nothing, the technique will never be utilized. However, even the worst player can do something, even if it's just get in the way or get lucky, if they are in the right place at the right time. Something always trumps nothing.

Even in the youngest players some elements of I and C will be stressed. Insight; you want to go that way, you can take the ball away from the other person. Communication; see how the ball rolls when you touch it with your foot? It's true that for these children their biggest soccer problem is the ball and that technical competence is a key. But even for young children some simple, basic ideas can be incorporated into training sessions.

By making a soccer objective the aim of the practice the children are free to experiment with their TIC. As long as they can get the job done within the rules it doesn't matter how they do it. As resistance increases they will need to improve their TIC. It is the objective of the game, and the resistance that the children have to overcome that sets the level for success. The children's motivation and abilities are their limiting factors. They are free to decide for themselves how they will solve the soccer problems. Those that want to go on to the next level will have the internal motivation to improve their own game. Those that don't can simply get off of the developmental train at that station, they have found a home.

A skillful player can execute good decisions. Poor players either cannot execute those decisions or cannot make them. That is the connection behind technique, insight and communication working together towards an aim. Reaching the objective is what is important. TIC is the means, never the end. It is the tool to get the result.