The number 10 shirt is the most coveted prize at the beginning of any season. The number 10 shirt represents a player of elegance and class; a player that reads the game exceptionally well, and delivers defence-splitting passes with majestic ease.
The number 10 is a creative genius, unlocking attacking options that others just cannot see. But for all the kids that scramble for the number 10 shirt, Australia has yet to produce a world-class ‘number 10′.
Players such as Kewell, Viduka, Johnston, Grella, Emerton and Neill are all (or have been) world-class players. Of this, there is no doubt.
However, none of these really constitute a number 10. Sure, Harry probably comes close, but as with the others, he plays a position that relies more heavily on physical and technical attributes than on creativity, game-reading, and decision-making. All of these characteristics are typically associated with the number 10.
Why is this so? Well, perhaps (as unlikely as it seems) research in developmental neuropsychology can provide the answer. Don’t be put off by the fancy name – the principles are easy to follow.
Studies show that brain structure and the associated brain functions are highly genetic. Yet, they are also highly influenced by one’s environment. Yes, these are both obvious, however, the complicated interplay between genetics and the environment is starting to be untangled.
Studies of brain development in children aged between 5 and 20 years of age tell us some very important things about how to develop a ‘number 10′.
The sensory and motor skill areas of the brain (physical skills) are heavily influenced by genetics early in life. This means that physical and technical training are more important later in adolescence when the ‘environment’ has a greater impact, and thus a greater return on physical training.
Contrastingly, the higher-level association areas such as creativity and decision-making are heavily influenced by genetics later in adolescence. This means that environmental influences have a very large impact early in life, and will have an ever-decreasing impact as kids get older.
The critical period for teaching these skills seems to be between 5 and 10 years of age. The implication is that teaching the ‘number 10′ skills to a seven-year-old is much easier than teaching them to a 20-year-old.
If we want to develop a number 10, it is crucial that we teach young footballers the higher-order skills such as creativity and game-reading. By the time they reach adolescence, genetics have kicked in and the return on such training is ever-decreasing.
Does the Australian football culture and coach education system promote the teaching of such skills at this age? I would argue that it does not, and this is the reason that Australia has never produced a world class ‘number 10′ in the mould of Zidane, Totti or Kaka.
We have to reverse the order in which we are teaching these skills to young players. It would make much more sense to teach the ‘number 10′ skills early when children are more easily moulded, and then refine physical skills at a later age when these are also more “trainable”.
We also need a culture change, where creativity and game-reading are valued more highly than technical and physical skills at an early age. Our current focus on technical and physical skills at ages 5-13 just won’t suffice.
This makes great sense, but it’s easier said than done!
A look at the current FFA curriculum will show you that the “skill acquisition phase” occurs at ages 9 through 13. In this phase, it is stipulated that players be taught the technical foundations of the game – running with the ball, striking the ball, and first touch.
Undoubtedly, these are important skills. At age 13 to 16, the curriculum outlines a “game development phase” which includes the development of higher-level processes such as insight and decision-making through game-related training.
However, the way that our neuropsychological system works determines that these skills be taught in the opposite order.
If we are looking to coach a real ‘number 10′, let’s first look at what we teach, and when we teach it.
Rob
Guest
Steve Gerrard the best no. 10? You're joking aren't you?
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Harry's quite possibly the only Liverpool player ever to smash a volley in front of the Kop in a double pony tail!:)
whiskeymac
Guest
potato botato - its a subjective call really - agreement is not if they were good its whether they are world class and that comes down to the definition. the article mentions outstanding players in their generation - galacticos or whatever hyped tabs are attributed to them. HK and MV were not such players but they were good and tbh i wish we had more like them.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Well Kewell had Man Utd,Arsenal,Ac Milan and few other massive clubs sniffing around when he went to Liverpool,not sure how many reasonable players have those clubs chasing them.
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
I still think both were a level below. Kewell could have come close if he had signed for United rather than going to Liverpool or maybe at least cutting his hair and not having that silly pony tail ;)
whiskeymac
Guest
agree. Reasonable premier league players, and some were even quite good at that level, but not in the same sense that Zidane was/is a good player. Then again IMO he was without peer in his heyday also.
nordster
Guest
Would rather beat japan than the eggchasers....
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Kewell and Viduka were world class,the others not so much.
jbinnie
Guest
There have been some strange discoveries over the years where existing players playing in top teams have been converted into top playmakers ( No 10 is a totally misleading description). I won't go into much detail for I'm sure there are many examples around the world. Ones that jump to mind are Hidegkuti, who was actually a left winger before being converted into a deep lying centre forwardI (another playmaker description) in the great Hungarian team of the early fifties.Then in the mid sixties Stein brought another left winger,Auld,back from Birmingham and played him in the engie room of his great EC winning team ,Celtic..Nearer home,many feel Sydney,in using Steve Corica, another widely recognised wide player in his early days ,as a playmeker ,got some more than useful performances out of him in their very successful early time in the early HAL. So are playmakers "manufactured" or is it an inbuilt talent that is noticed and acted upon by successful coaches and managers? jb
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
"Players such as Kewell, Viduka, Johnston, Grella, Emerton and Neill are all (or have been) world-class players. Of this, there is no doubt." I'm sorry, but there is plenty of doubt there. I don't want to down their abilities, as they were all fine players but I think you are certainly being liberal with the term world class. Onto the subject of the lack of No.10s, do young kids play much street/park football in Australia? You know, by themselves with no coaches around?
Chips Rafferty
Guest
Listen son, if they aint happy to chase the round vinyl on the park, they can learn from me. Their are a couple of other blokes floatin around the traps with much the same sockah nous - Steve Monaspaghetti and Judy Free. FWIW hem is worth listening too. If ya follow my advice,then wed produce a lotta number tens in strayan sockah.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Hmmm Chips first you say someone is spending too much time on the computer,next your telling them to follow you on blogs and forums and twitter,make up your mind!
nordster
Guest
I dunno mate, my job with spartak moskva in the fifa 12 career leagues is a little too hard to pass up. At least until fifa 13, i am still mulling offers. Might even go a-league if they include asia champions league this time. Or j-league. Like i said i'm a bad vintage anyways... I'll have to enjoy my limitations as a pure console squad builder!
Stevo
Guest
And here's part of a contribution from "GordonBeanConrad12" on that website: "Because skill in English professional football is not enough. An entire attitude to this tough play needs to end. And then there's the over-muscular James Milner-type model of English footballer using strength to flatten and hold-off opponents with muscles instead of skill. Highly valued in England in all positions. You know who they are - mostly English forwards, midfielders and defenders. It's not that tough tackling doesn't exist in Italy or Spain, but there it's part of a more complete game. In England, for many players, it is the game - it's a disease that cripples football at all ages - and it's endemic." Surely no similarities to anything here in Oz?
Chips Rafferty
Guest
Nope. They wasn't Apaway. Yer been consoling too long son. Look at the advice I gave to Fatboy above - listen and learn. Capiche? Yer need more time on the paddock or yer local park, and less time lovin' yer computer screen son. Ya cant learn from the bloviations of new dawners and fan boys, but yer can learn from the likes of me. Next time yer want to learn something 'bout sockah, just google Chips Rafferty. Yer talking to the big boys if ya follow me on twitter or strayan blogs and forums. If ya aint happy to get close and personal with a round ball, just follow one of strayan sockah's big boys and yer cookin' with gas son.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Correction its his Grandfather who is English his dad was born here
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
England goes through the same angst about skill players vs hard working triers who boot the ball llong http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jul/05/futsal-england-next-generation
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Nahh, a false nine is worse. You arent even true to yourself.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Because what another sport learned could never, ever, ever be relevant. If you want the AFL to win, keep going down that road.
george meletlidis
Guest
we have one . In the system now but lets see what the future brings.