Learning is vital in all aspects of life; this seems to be a widely accepted concept across the globe. Yet when it comes to sport there is this idea that a lot of athletes are stupid, and football is no exception. Rather strange really when you think of the aspects required to succeed in the sport, positioning, awareness, vision, decision making. All vital mental skills that require a high level of intelligence and skill to comprehend. Without these skills it's impossible to succeed at even the semi-pro level, never mind the upper echelons of the sport.
Hours upon hours of training, of film sessions, of trial and error, are required to understand the game of football and its intricacies. The concept of the gegenpress or playing a high line are not simple, they are arts that take years to perfect. This knowledge is a far cry from the 'stupid' stereotype we are often presented. Truly there is no way to become elite without this intelligence.
"Sport is 90% mental, and 10% physical" - Yogi Berra
But where do we gain the knowledge? film studies can only get you so far, the biggest factor in this is having the right teachers. Luckily the best teacher I've ever had is the guy pictured above, my father. Some might have seen his methods as pushy (me included at times) but he knew it was the perfect way to get the best out of me. And that's the most important if your trying to make it to the highest level, you need the right support group. Whether it be a family member, or a coach, having the right support system is vital. Just like in any other subject, if you aren't being provided an education in a way that suits you then the information won't be absorbed properly. And with the aforementioned dependence on intelligence in football, the importance of finding the right teachers cannot be overstated. So if your going to take away one thing from this article it should be this, always surround yourself with the people right for you.
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