I found numerous ways in which young players delivered actions in order to convey what they thought were the correct attitudes in the hope of recognition from a coach or manager.
I completed a PhD in 2012, and in my concluding comments of that study, I argued that:
To adequately understand players’ experiences of education and welfare, you also have to understand the role coaches and managers play in the lives of young players.
This is the deep thinking required to produce world-class players.
There is as much chance of the worst player at that under-7s tournament becoming a professional player when they turn 18 as the best player on the day.
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