In the TOVO course with Todd Beane I have been asked to indentify 7 – 10 traits of what the ideal soccer player is. Here is what I listed in order:

Detail Oriented
Passionate
Coachable
Skillful
Self-studier
Communicative
Friendly
Athletic
Leader
Good Example for others

Upon looking back on my list, I realized that the only physical quality I had was “Athletic,” Interesting, reflecting upon this because, I have trained hard in my life, and not only in soccer. I have run marathon distances over mountains, run races, biked competitively in races, toured for 100s of miles on a bike, climbed tall mountains in the winter and snowboarded in extreme conditions, telemark skiing in the back-county, swam long distance in open water in the ocean, etc. Yet, “athletic” is not my ideal for the soccer player?

I believe that it is because I do not see soccer and athletics in general as a sport and see them as games. There has always been a game in my head, desiring to push myself to the brink of collapse and risking severe injury or even death. On the field there is the game of competing with and against everyone there, even your teammates! One against the world!

Often I’m involved in my own head games: wanting attention, practicing at home obsesively. But, the biggest game has always been battling my own insecurities. To this day it is the same. Am I a good enough coach? How do I compare? Do people like me? What got me here? Where am I going? Obsessing over an error, dealing with constant failure, shrugging it off, and fearing the next and staying resilient and of good humor.

There is the game within the game while a player is on the field, outsmarting opponents, recognizing their own weakness and exploiting another’s. Recognizing the current moment and having the will to make something happen, creating “luck.”

TOVO asks to

“Envision the ideal. Paint a clear picture of the qualities you hope to nurture in your players. Articulate them, share them and train toward them.“

I wrote very hastily the following, and I won’t bother to edit. Just like this blog. LOL

I envision the ideal footballer to be a taskmaster and to understand the ethos of the world’s game. More than an athlete, a games person who is the player that understand the context of their passion and and forces his or her will on the game.
Stephen Swanger

Don’t think too hard and answer and quickly answer, “What are your 7 – 10 characteristics of the ideas soccer player?”

What is your ideal player?

Happy coaching and Playing

Stephen Swanger