In the modern world, getting things done quickly, is the order of the day. In our busy lives we all want to get things done quickly. Industries have boomed from doing exactly that, a culture of quick fixes, the life hack boom.
In the gaming industry games are made with hidden cheats. A quick way to crack a game and young people have that culture around them. It leads to both adults and young people looking for a cheat and there are many people out there looking to give them what they want.
One of the secrets to sales psychology is giving the customer what they want. When you want a quick/simple way to become a professional football player – there will always be someone trying to sell you exactly that – The Hack! But what qualifies that person to deliver you that? If the person selling you this dream really had the answer to that billion dollar question… would they actually have the time to sell you it?
Whilst football will always evolve and the philosophies of teams will change the basic principles will not. The journey to becoming a pro player will always be full of ups and downs no matter what path you take. There is no set route to the top, there is nobody who can honestly tell you, you can or can’t make it.
Football players will need good football specific technique, a strong work ethic, and an ability to make decision on the field. You can not cheat the system and you should be wary of people offering that!
The Hack – Paying a load of money for 1-2-1 coaching. Whilst this seems to be the Instagram, football bubble, hack of the moment, is it really working? What is the purpose of the 1-2-1? Are you working on your strengths and shortcomings? Does the work on your strengths help you effect the game? Are the shortcomings you’ve identified actually trainable? Can you really turn your weaknesses into a strength? A strength so good that it will make a difference?
The Hack – Ladders and hurdles. This is especially worrying when we see four and five your old kids doing this. 99% is total undirected and not looking to correct technique or develop movement skills. If you see a session set up with ladders and hurdles, ask the question, why are we doing this? Is the answer really – I’ve seen everyone else doing it so I am going to…..?
The Hack / Matches, Matches, Matches. Without doubt the fun in football is the match. The chance to translate all this training into a game. A lot of the very best football sessions are match based, enabling players to understand the concepts of the game, and put those concepts into practice. The ability to interact with other players is such an important step from technique to being a master. But there is a culture around playing matches for matches sake. Seeking games with all and sundry but actually some of the messages players are getting in those games are forming terrible habits. I’m not just talking about the coach who barks constant instructions to his players, but the reward of winning over doing the right thing from an early age is a concern. Can the bad habits be easily re trained?
No amount of jogging on the spot with your head down or celebrating punts down the middle of the goal is going to help you become a better player, if you are honest, it is taking you further away from your goal – if your goal really is to be a professional football player.
Our number 1 hack for making it – is – Don’t look for a hack! Look to find value in training, becoming better, and enjoying the process. There are lots of tips already on this blog, about grit and perception, there are resources all over the internet.
When you train look to always be doing purposeful practice – are you doing something you don’t see in a game? Why would you train for that then? The best tool you have is watching the game, watching the top players, and replicating what they are doing on a daily basis. The journey never stops, when you are signed at an academy, you want to make it to the next phase, when you are a pro you want to make your debut. Once you’ve made your debut you want to be the best player in the team and so on….
