Steven Poacher – We must encourage freedom in football

Steven Poacher says coaches are too concerned with getting young players to play to a system

Steven Poacher reckons that the freedom to express yourself on a soccer field, is not replicated among the GAA.

In his article in this week’s Gaelic Life, he explains that the ad hoc way we played Soccer when we were younger meant that styles were allowed to flourish.

However, in Gaelic Games he thinks training may be too rigid.

“I am just a touch fearful though that in modern day gaelic football coaching that we aren’t allowing the same level of freedom of expression that you might have had back in the day when you were playing street football.

“Training has become too regimented.

“For example, take the development squads. From u-14 level onwards it’s all high-class fancy equipment. We are now engrossed in sports psychology.

“Young players are regularly fitness tested. Some coaches are more concerned that the player brings a foam roller to training rather than a ball.

“I feel that the players’ imagination, flair and instinct is gone. Players from this level up are coached to play in a system and not to deviate away from it.”

Read the full article in the current issue of Gaelic Life.