RR,
I name one, as I am very familiar with Italian players: Zambrotta, two equal feet. Also for Pirlo is the same. But there are many, and maybe it’s only my impression, I don’t have any data, that the number of two footed increased in the last years. But it would be an interesting study for sure.
Could we all also include the massive fact, its apples & oranges on the extreme scale. Would he have been a successful Tour golfer post basketball?. Probably not.
I disagree with Harold L. Klawans, there isn’t a “critical time in childhood” IMO. You either have it or you don’t. Motor skills can be developed through masses of repetition & dedication, way past childhood or a young age. Look at Ben Hogan, Ted Williams etc.
I have taught 30+ years olds how to perfect speed juggling a soccer ball, using both feet to pass the ball, which I presume are motor skills. Theres no critical time, some develop it, some aren’t born to do it.
Diego Forlan from Uruguay scored from distance with both feet.
Yes, maybe the discussion is getting too technical, but there is an interesting paper that was published in Nature in 1997 about learning foreign languages. Now I explain why I consider that important also for training.
It was shown that people learning other languages before 12 (more or less) have a single brain region for generating complex speech, while people learning foreign languages after 12 have two brain regions for generating complex speech http://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/15/science/when-an-adult-adds-a-language-it-s-one-brain-two-systems.html.
Now, I wonder if it happens the same also with motor skills. Of course, having a single brain region gives advantage, but the implications are also that maybe the way of learning after a certain age has to be appropriate for the different modifications happening in the brain.
At the end, a good part of the adaptions that training stimulates, especially the neural part, consist in learning.
There has been an increase, particulary in wingers. They can cross the ball with both feet, but I still don’t consider them to be great two footed players. John Terry is a two footed player, Phil Neville is two footed, there not great two footed players.
In England, I think Glenn Hoddle was our last best two footed player. Great confidence to pick passes all over the field with both feet at any time. Little dinks over the top of players both feet, curling it around players, through balls, everything so natural which came through hours upon years of drilling it into himself.
Of course it does!
But that’s the same for every sport/event.
I disagree. There are critical windows for specific skills that involve velocity and coordination, as well as strength and coordination. Combining coordination with execution of skill at high levels of power and velocity is different than hitting a stationary golf ball or juggling a soccer ball. Having worked with a number of top level gymnasts, I can see exactly where this plays a role.
Not all motor skills are created equal. I see it on a daily basis. I believe if you choose to ignore this fact, you could be missing out.
I am in agreement. There is so much we don’t know about brain development and the subtleties of learning and adaptation - physical, intellectual, emotional, etc. Everything counts and it should be analyzed as such.
I agree also
It’s not an exact science yet, but the patterns have been established with a great many athletes and not just athletes - achievers in many domains.
While I agree to an extent, there is much recent research showing this is not 100% true … or rather the interpretation of it has been simplified and the brain has far greater abilities to adapt it’s self (I mean physically).
Much of this has been done in animal research, which in itself is very controversial.
There is also alot of research being done in the East that supports these concepts too, but it’s coming from a different angle.
You said it!
My brain is still trying to adapt to being married with kids!
That is a clear example of adaptation.
Here is info on the selection process for the US National Teams:
The US Youth Soccer ODP Philosophy:
To identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.
Purpose:
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
How do I participate?:
Contact your local US Youth Soccer State Association office to find out more about getting involved with US Youth Soccer ODP. You can find State Association by clicking here. Or, simply contact the US Youth Soccer National Office
Program Description History:
In 1979, the program expanded, the organization became more efficient and multi-year plans were developed. State Associations were encouraged to develop programs which supported and worked in tandem with National and Regional programs. At the beginning of 1982 a formalized program for girls was created, with the addition of a full committee (one member from each Region).
Current Organization:
From 1982 until the present, international events for youth national teams have increased substantially and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program has kept pace by instituting trials and player pools for five age groups in the boys’ program, and five age groups in the girls’ program.
The US Youth Soccer ODP Selection Process
Each State Association holds ODP try-outs on an annual basis. Age Groups and try-out dates may be different from state to state, based on seasonal and state considerations. Your first contact should be to your State Association for try-out information.
How are Players Selected?:
Players are selected, in most states, on the basis of open tryouts. These tryouts are conducted by state association coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify and train players with superior skills. Some state associations combine scouting techniques and invitations to certain players with the open tryouts. Selection of these players is not an easy task. The state association head coach or State Coach will, in most cases, be assisted in the selection process by several other qualified coaches from the club or league level. Players are evaluated on the four components that make up a soccer player:
- Technique
- Tactics
- Fitness and Athletic Ability
- Psychological Component (attitude)
(NOTE: In years past, coaches from youth clubs who also coached for colleges were selected as state ODP coaches. This lead to many athletes being by-passed due to club allegiance in the case of two players being equally talented. Typically, the players in question were usually not going to make the regional camps, but situations like this do make the entire process somewhat skewed by the politics involved. Also, state ODP tryouts cost $100US to participate. Although the website says ODP is non-profit, I have heard reports that the coaches involved earn several thousand dollars for their participation.)
What are Regional Camps?:
US Youth Soccer is divided into four regions, each which offers a regional camp for state association ODP teams in each eligible age group. The camps are designed to provide high level competition and training for participating players. During this training and competition, players who are capable of performing at a higher level of play are identified for possible national team camp, pool, or team participation. Each region varies somewhat as to the specifics and the cost of their camps. Your state association or regional administrator should be contacted for more information.
What is a National Camp?:
National Camps and Interregional events are held throughout the year at various locations in the United States. The National Team Coach or a National Staff Coach is present at these events to observe, train, and indentify players for placement in the national pool or on a national team.
What are the Benefits of Participating in US Youth Soccer ODP?:
- Development as a player. The opportunity to train and play with the best player’s in one’s age group.
- Quality instruction from nationally licensed coaches.
- Quality competition. Games against other state association ODP teams.
- Exposure to regional and national team coaches.
- The opportunity to represent one’s state, region, or country in competition.
- Exposure to college coaches. (Note: many are coaches are the regional and national team levels. The college coaches tend to come from the more successful programs)
Re Selection and #3 fitness. How are they determining this on an athlete by athlete basis? Do they have some specific testing protocol or is it more of a consensus among the coaches as to who’s fit and who’s not?
Not sure. I have 12 division 1 soccer players this summer, not one went through ODP after about U14. I would guess some fitness test (ala Beep, cooper, the common fitness tests etc).
I have had one player a few years ago (U14), was told he was too slow, but they had never formally tested his speed, was made on observation only.
I have found it common for coaches to cut players (or demote them to the B teams) for “lack of speed.” My response to parent is “so your kid was the slowest kid on the team?”
Typically they say no. It appears “lack of fitness”, “lack of speed” etc are excuses to eliminate players without telling them they aren’t good enough. I had one coach tell a U11 girl, she has everything, just needs speed… so she plays on B team 
Must not have everything else then.
Listened to a pretty basic discussion on a podcast (Spider and the Henchman) regarding why the USA is still not near the top in World Cup soccer.
http://adamcarolla.com/SHBlog/2010/07/08/219/
Once you get past the Tommy Lasorda interview, they talk with Jon Weinbach about US soccer. Not a very advanced discussion, but still interesting to hear their opinions.
Because the competition right across the board is so high. Everyone is raising there game. It doesn’t matter which part of the world your from, if you raise your game your going to be hard to break down. Your Country doesn’t have to be hugely populated, Uruguay proved that (More people live in Berlin).
One of the reasons Germany were great at this years World cup was down to Jurgen Klinsmann’s development programme (ditching several veteran players, bringing in fitness trainers from Arizona, using US coaching philosophies, insisting on a 4-2-3-1 formation etc.
Hes on the top of his game right now (based in Southern California too) & “out of work”. Seems logical his next employment should be with the US Federation, although Bob Bradley I believe is doing a fantastic job, I like him a lot. Although having Jurgen on board could give a big boost to the US. If Germany hang onto him, there young squad have the potential to go much further.
I think soccer in the US & the US team are going places & the thought of NY gaining a second team is great.
What makes Spain tick…
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/teams/passes.html
Over 1000 passes more than the Netherlands during the whole tournament, with a far higher success rate. They were also the fittest team (distance covered) of the top 4.
Mexico were the fastest team (32.15 km/h).
Anybody with µTorrent.
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Fittest? Or most active possibly? Just because they covered more ground during the match does not mean they were fitter than everyone else.
Also, from posts from Charlie on the first few pages of this, avg distnace of spain of 10.9 km/match (~6 miles). = avg speed of 7.26 km/hr (4.5 mph). Blazing fast 
Uruguay actually ran in total 336.72km without the ball (almost a massive 100km more than Spain), jeez. But Spain ousted them in Total distance covered (767.39km).
Keen to note that the teams that underperformed so badly at the World Cup, Italy, France, Nigeria topped the table for Distance covered not in possession (km) of the ball. POOR WORKRATE off the ball.
Seems to me the teams working on speed as opposed to stamina (workrate) are going the wrong way (according to the stats) for success at the World cup, although Spain were 5th (Top speed) with Mexico & Greece top 2.
Which proves one massive point. You don’t have to be blazing fast to be successful in soccer.