Changing the scoreboard – Part 1

Currently speaking we know football has one measure to define the outcome of a game. Goals. The team with the most goals wins we all know this. But is it potentially threatening the development of players? What has typically happened is that because kids, parents and coaches want to win they often set there teams up like this. Big kids at the back because they can kick the ball long and fast kids up front to chase the balls over the top leading to scoring chances. Any payers in the midfield also acts like the back except they are usually small but still send the ball long when they get the chance.

Teams that play like this maybe successful at junior level but as soon as all the other kids catch up the results start to slip. Furthermore the kids have been deprived the opportunity to learn the proper skills in order to adjust how they play. You can literally almost spot these players as well once they get to the older junior age groups and seniors. A typical striker who has always been quicker than everyone else will look to play on the last man and always look to run forward regardless of the situation. Rather then potentially dropping in between the lines or coming to the ball or dropping out wide. They are one dimensional.

But what is the best way to correct this cycle? A full change of the scoring system at junior and sub junior level perhaps? Something has to change either way because at the moment this is how it is working and think about it. How many of the most successful teams in the world play like the team I mentioned above?