Here is the second part of TopDrawerSoccer.com's ten observations from the Development Academy Playoffs and Showcase in Frisco, Texas:
6) Coach education just as important
As the academy continues to grow, the onus will continue to fall primarily on the players to develop into future professional players. As it should. But what about the coaches? What kind of underpinning is in place to help them continue to grow and adapt along with their players? Questions the USSF is still ironing out to be sure.
That's why the continued maturation of the academy's coaches will be something to monitor going forward. The academy conducted coaching education sessions during the playoffs in Frisco in attempt to disseminate as much information as possible to some of the country's best coaches. But it was also for the showcase coaches from teams that didn't qualify as well, all of whom came to Frisco to play in games for the sake of pure development.
One of the biggest contrasts between successful soccer cultures and ones that struggle isn't necessarily the vibrancy of its player pool but rather the availability of top-level coaching. Especially at this level, the academy needs to make sure it continues to cultivate a caring, intelligent and forward-thinking reserve of coaches at this most important stage of player development.
