As an argentinian i have to tell you that practice sessions and matches are not that technical and professional at that age because we think that is better for them to enjoy the game instead of taking it too seriously.
@@CoachRorySoccer It becomes more and more professional once they start climbing up categories tho. I work in security for "Club Sarmiento de Junin" and get to see reserve and u18 matches, they are as good if not better than first team matches tbh. Recently Belgrano played against Velez here for the national reserve cup, was a fantastic game!!
Agreed. I think it's also the main factor behind the difference in parent intensity. There's just a higher level of competitiveness about anything and everything in average American mentality. IMO
@@FR-AN I think is simply the case that argentinians in average understand the sport a lot more than "americans" and that's the reason they trust in coaches. Also no need to pressure the kids, we know only a really small portion of them will reach first division anyway.
Another very very very big difference is the killing of creativity in many US high level soccer teams. I come from an all Argentinian family but was born and lived my whole life here in the Us. I’ve played primarily in the ECNL system here, but I have traveled often and played with Velez. The biggest difference to me is how the game is played. The US is too focused on long balls and running for running’s sake going off your point of a limited tactical understanding. Many coaches I’ve had have discouraged dribbling and playing the game with fun and creativity, instead opting for robotic and dull passes backwards and long balls forward to the attackers. The beauty of Argentinian football to me is that this is not discouraged. In the US coaches scream at you to take max 2 touches and play quickly. However, forcing a player to only take 2 touches is not how u teach to play quickly. The beauty of Argentinian football is that players still do play quickly and selflessly but are not discouraged from dribbling. Through playing so much, players in Argentina have learned when to take 2 or less touches and when to hold the ball, turn a man and play. There is a wrong emphasis in the US with what they consider “playing quickly” which is basically limiting technical players to 2 touches even when it doesn’t make sense to only 2 touches. At a young age, all this does is take away the flair and creativity from young developing players.
Totally, my friend. I was thinking that. Our passion for the 1on1 is what drives us and the reason why Argentina produces players that are different. I don't even have to name them. Dribbling is the fun of football.
I'm curious to know which area of the country you play in. This country is so big that there are different styles of play all over. In Miami, long ball is not king. Not like it is in Austin for example. ECNL is another story. The pressure those clubs feel to win definitely destroys creativity.
There is a similar scourge in NZ. ‘Quick release, quick release!’ Even when there is space to drive into. Opposition players also know that our players have to get rid of the ball so don’t have to pressure the ball carrier and can just wait for the daft pass to no one or straight back to them (the opponent). Drives me nuts.
soy argentino y crecí en usa. jugué al fútbol en el high school y dejé el equipo porque no se podía jugar con entrenadores yanquis. no tienen idea de lo que es el fútbol. es soccer. una pavada total
Born in the United States but my dad was from Argentina and I was partially raised there. You started the video with a great observation that futbol is everywhere. I played in Argentina and would not have gone to a club or even a try out if I did not think I was good enough playing in the local park or street. Kids in Argentina teach each other, there is a peer pressure to learn or practice and attempt tricks or what they call gambeta. Parents might not send their child to a club if they dont think the child is good enough. Like an uncoordinated tall skinny kid might be placed in basketball or voleyball instead. Sports in general are popular in Argentina, none like futbold, but sports like rugby, basketball and tennis are very popular and its full of kids that were seen as not good enough to play soccer. A kid would be embarrassed to play soccer if he could not properly shoot the ball or field passes.
You have a cool background. I feel our kids in the US don't play enough at the local park/street. I wonder why. I noticed Argentina were in the Rugby World Cup.
I'll add something to the culture. We all play at all ages. I'm 42. I am not really a good player. I was never good a player. But I still play at least twice a week. In fact I just came back home from a game on a 9-a-side pitch where the youngest was 17 and the oldest was 65.-
oh yeah this so much. Wer hace a culture of Futbol 5 (five a side soccer) where you just gather friends and people of different age, everytthing is valid and you just play. Sometimes someone comes with his 13 lil cousein, simetimes old uncle with 65 wants to take part, and its amazing you have to adapt to wathever is on the field and every player knows his strenght, is very common to have the younglins as fast ball carriers for example, the old and big guys as an impassable defense and giving long passes, but no one has to say anything, you just know what you can do and cant do given your physiche
That's true, I play once a week with my work colleagues and once a week with my pals. I'm a mechanic and the dudes I play with go from 25 to like deep 50s and they play play, they got cardio for days, dudes can have a like a serious protruding beer gut or be 100 kilos plus in weight and still be able to run, sprint, jog, etc because their are so adapted to the activity it's hilarious. I'm 30 and I still enjoy playing, I love a good 5v5 with a smaller and heavier n⁰4 ball.
That is another good point, related to my last comment, the USA has no soccer culture (for men's soccer that is, because for women's soccer they have a great culture and that is why USA is normally good at women's soccer)
This is such a nice and accurate comment. As a woman, I´ve played my whole life, and I'm still playing "mixto" matches (men and women) at 34 years old, and being in Mexico now. We're all people from Argentina, and sometimes a few Mexicans join. All ages and everywhere.
Nah that first point is CRUCIAL. I started coaching high school boys this year, and easily 90% of my team never watch soccer or touch a ball outside of practices and games. And yet they (and their parents) are wanting me to get them to a level where they can get a full ride to some D1 school or something. Crazy.
That's the cultural part of it. Here in Argentina you'll find in old pubs, older folks who hasn't touch a ball since 1978, that can almost predict the outcome of the game on the TV.. because they watch and talk about fútbol day and night, during their whole lifes. When he's not working, my pather, who's a River fan, can watch fútbol for hours, even if it's a 3thrd division match, or the repetition of a past match.
This is perplexing to me too. Maybe it's just the attention issue with sitting down to watch 90 minutes. My son plays for a travel team, doesn't watch full games but he watches highlights. I suppose I could make him watch Liverpool matches with me but I'm glad he watches highlights at least. I coach U-12 boys and most of them do not watch soccer. They don't even play FIFA!
You can't become good at anything if you don't have fun with it first. That's why kids can still learn even with substandard facilities; the fun compensates for any problems you may have. A too structured learning process is counterproductive, and parents overinvolvement on children's fun only reflects parents' emotional deficits. Let them have fun because they're learning; it's a participatory process in which parents can only provide support in the development of a passion. This is what's missing in most of the educational systems in the world.
I think you got it right. I have played in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Australia. South Americans have the Space-Speed concept developed through unlimited time of watching the game. They consider futbol as a "religion" and Pele, Messi and Maradona are literally idolised. You have mentioned that the game is more physical, I totally agree with that. Argentinians are definitely more "forward" at the moment to stop an opponent, worth watching some games between Argentina and Brazil from the 90's... Last point worth mentioning, for many unprivileged kids in South America, football is a way to get out of poverty.
If you wanna see madness at the sides, next time try to check the "papi fútbol" scene in Buenos Aires. Small neighborhood clubs playing something similar to Futsal, where most of our stars emerged from. Parents go crazy there. Nice video.
@@CoachRorySoccer Quick story about the differences on physicality. The son of someone I know went to River Plate for a tryout. His family is maybe middle/upper class. Right off the bat he gets tackled by another 11 year old and while still on the ground, the tackler gets to his face and says: "You do this for fun, I'm here to feed my family. Go home".
All good points; none as relevant as kids playing with and against older kids, in rough fields (even on asphalt, when grassy areas are not available), and yes, ALL THE TIME. In Argentina, every family gathering, every birthday or anniversary party, is an opportunity to improvise a game. You don't need fancy football shoes, shin-guards, or perfect nets: you can play shoeless or in flip flops, the goal would be made with a bunch of piled sweatshirts on each side, and the game ends when you absolutely can't see the ball because the night has fallen.
Born in Argentina, my family moved to the States when I was 10. You hit the nail on the head when it comes to "soccer" culture in Argentina. As a kid, I remember countless hours in pick-up games en el "campito". These games would include kids of all ages and skill levels. They would last for hours. You could go home, get some rest come back hours later and there'd still be games going on. No drills, no coaches just the raw fun of playing, with the freedom to create, make mistakes, and learn as you are often going up against older better players. I never got into soccer here. Instead, my brother and I ended up playing hockey(above amateur ranks). We fell in love with the sport, the physicality/skill/grace. But what struck me was the prohibitive cost of even getting into the sport. The costs associated with ice time and the lack of any grassroots culture or accessibility to pick-up games almost ensured no poor kid could play. Maybe it is different in Canada or up north with their pond hockey culture, but in the southwest ice is hard to come by. As my brother and I rose through the ranks into serious traveling teams etc, the fun/joy of playing and the freedom to create was taken away, and with it the ability for unique skills to develop. I don't know if that's the same with youth soccer, but when you take the fun and the creativity out of any sport you'll end up with a bunch of very well-trained bots. To a certain degree, it's what I see hampering the dev of youth soccer in the states. Soccer in the States needs more "rucker parks"
Rory: I am Argentine, 68 years old, I really like soccer and I want to transmit to you things that I learned from people who are very studious about Argentine Soccer. The basic rule to understand Argentine soccer is in the culture of the people: soccer is played in a similar way to how they live. First: people are passionate about what they work, do or think politically. Second: When a child is born it is a family matter of which club the child is going to be a fan of (traditionally the same team as the father) and the baby is given a soccer club shirt. Third: the idiosyncrasy of soccer as a game for children is to ridicule their brand with soccer skill, this means passing it with skill, not with speed, but with talent with the ball at their feet. Fourth: demonstrating talent with the ball at your feet is showing hierarchy to vilify your rival. Finally, 40 years ago I read a note from a US researcher regarding Argentine soccer....she mentioned some things that I narrated in this note, but she said that a Pele, a Maradona...can only emerge in countries where soccer is passion and this only happens in Argentina and Brazil. The children who play ball in Argentina play with passion and soccer is everything for them. They dream of being Maradona, not like that in other countries, it is just a recreational activity. In the stands, the fans cheer because they are not overflowing with passion for their team. In general, in the stands of soccer fields in Argentina, although they have seats, the fans watch the game standing without sitting because their passion does not allow them to sit. For them it is not a spectacle, they feel part of the football game and that they participate by encouraging their team without stopping....this encouragement brings down the players and does not allow them to play relaxed...but they do it with passion, like the people in the stands. Envi
Everyone in England used to stand, crushed together, for football matches, but then an accident happened where a lot of people got crushed against a fence (our passion meant fans used to rush onto the pitch) so now we all sit.
I was born and grew up in Uruguay. We used to play every day in school recess, after school with friends on the street or any patch of grass we had (front yard, backyard, etc.) When we had practice, parents weren't there neither. They only went to see the official games in the weekends. Now I live in Hawaii and see that kids only play group sports only if it is organized by somebody, not freely among friends. I see parents taking their kids to practice and watching them sitting on their little foldable chairs. For me it is very weird. I guess that is part of the different culture. All those observations are correct. Nice video!
I think it’s a newer thing here in the US….back when I was a kid in the 90’s we played every single day whatever we could…mostly football basketball or hockey on street/local fields. We even made up sports. Now when I go back to the old neighborhood outside of Washington DC I never see kids out there anymore.
My husband from NJ played ice hockey on somebody’s yard , in winter his father would throw water on the driveway and wait for it to freeze and the neighbor boys came over for hours of fun 😊
Hello coach, I am from Argentina. The physical, technical and quick decision making has to do with the "POTRERO" where children of very different ages gather to play, there we learn to play because the situations vary all the time, also the surfaces where we play give us another contact with the ball .
@@CoachRorySoccer I want to add more context. A lot of these kids comes from "villas" (very, VERY poor neightborhoods) and it's common in villas to play for money. And that money sometimes is the difference to eat or not. And the teams are age mixed, so you can see a 14 yo kid playing with 25 yo men. And those grown men probably have childs to feed, so they're not going to be care to going too much physical against the youngest kids.
@@nofurtherwest3474 Potrero it a backyard, or a Park, or an empty field with mud or high grass, a basketball court, wherever you can put 2 tshirts as goals and play soccer 3vs3, 4vs4, 5vs5 etc with or without keeper. Any time, any season, Day or night. With friends or against the rivals of the Block.
I'm glad you touched on the cultural aspect. No Americans want to talk about it, but it's true. As much as soccer has grown in the US, we still don't have the heart for the game like other countries do.
Hola, Hello. My kids just finished their "youth soccer" career in the US where they moved from Venezuela 10 years ago. My experience matches what you have summarized in this video. I would add one particular aspect I noticed: in their former Venezuelan team (which was linked to an AC Milan youth franchise) they were encouraged to play long practices with minimum attention to tactics or field positioning: on the contrary, ball control and dribbling was encouraged so the player learns to play in traffic (there was also a neural-developmental rationale behind it: younger brains are easier to be wired when it comes to motor skills). Then, when they moved to the next age group, they would be introduced to field positioning, tactics, etc. In the US the practices were very well structured and very tactical, but you can tell that in general, the kids were lacking in ball control. Yes, they were excellent athletes (my experience in the Midwest, the matches get as physical as a hockey game) but they couldn't make the ball obey them. This was compounded by the fact that in the US, in general, the kids touch the ball in practice and then during the matches only. In some other countries, the kids play formally or informally every day, multiple times, so by certain age, the number of hours spend with the ball can easily double their American counterparts.
Soy Argentino y vivo en USA, creo que hay dos grandes diferencias que cambian todo, el primero y el mas importante es la cultura futbolistica que existe en Argentina éso solo se logra con decadas y decadas de pasión y es algo que salvo Brasil ningún otro pais lo tiene y la segunda diferencia es que la unica manera de llegar a jugar en primera en USA es que te vaya bien en el colegio y entrar por universidades y de esa manera se pierden muchos talentos que quedan en el camino como pasa con el basketball hay muchos cracks jugando en las calles que no llegaron a la NBA por lo ya mencionado. Es mi humilde opinion, muy buen video.!
The best way for your US viewers to understand youth futbol here in Argentina is to compare it with mid-1900's baseball in the US, where most kids in farms or small cities would spend several hours a day either studying or working (in farming for example) but every minute they could spare, they would get their gloves and baseballs and just start thrwoing the ball or even playing if they had a friend close by. What would happen is that word would get out (or just by pure luck) and a recruiter would spot a kid that was good and take him to the club to try him. Basically, it is that. The only difference is that we haven't lost that. Kids here do dream about playing in the big clubs and that is actually still possible for many of the good ones. What happens once they get to train with the club for a few months or even a year is another story. They do get it rough. Even if they are the next Messi.
I'm an Argentinean, I found this video while trying to get good practices for training a youth soccer team, and I have to say that it's pretty spot on. Here, like in other places of Latin America, soccer is a big cultural thing, specially for kids. Now, having said that, I think that kids nowadays play a lot of computer/electronic games more than soccer, even those who may play in a club. I come from a generation that didn't have that, and we would spend most of our free time with friends and neighbors playing some game with the ball that improved soccer skills. Probably, in the same way that happened in the US with basketball. I think I heard Pablo Aimar talk about this recently in an interview, that the previous generations of players learned to play "free" in the streets/potreros, and they would spend a lot more of their free time playing and polishing skills, than just the training sessions on a soccer club. I would agree, and that's why I think that the next and current generations of players, are not going to be as good as before. Soccer was declining in Argentina before we were world champions in my opinion. I know that this sounds kind of stupid to say, as we won the World Cup, but I think this is a global trend, not just in Argentina. Brazil squad for example, didn't look as strong as before.
This is great, and these conversations need to happen so much more. Pay to play is killing youth soccer in places like USA and Australia, as well as unclear pathway for kids. Interesting what you said about the parents at games, that is insightful. Also, what you said about facilities is so true. I watched video yesterday on a coach in Croatia. At one of their academies, they have 1 pitch to work on from ages 9 through to 19. First team has a grass oval as well. But most of the training sessions the kids are using half a pitch. This is from a country that has 4 million people and made the world cup final in 2018. Amazing the difference culture makes.
US citizen here with 2 adolescent boys that grew up in Argentina and Uruguay. Great video and insights. Some of your observations were spot on, and some were I think skewed by the age of your kids and where they went to the soccer camp. 1) as the kids get older and games get more competitive, parents are absolutely more vocal with their sideline comments and criticism of the refs. The games you saw were also camp vs camp and not part of a regular season, therefore less competitive. 2) Many clubs are still pay to play at younger ages (< U15), but the payments are very affordable and more just to subsidize the costs. This often happens for private (non-league) teams that also help with player development. As an example, we pay perhaps $50-75/month for one player. These payments, obviously, go away if the player is good enough and joins the youth club of a major team. But it’s important to note that it’s not uncommon for major league players to get their start in these smaller, private league youth teams. 3) Soccer is absolutely part of life here. But I don’t think viewers who have not lived in S. America will understand how much so. Birthday gifts are soccer balls and equipment. Soccer is played indoors, outdoors, in every bit of free time, at birthday parties. 2-3, sometimes more games per week. Kids knowing when major league games in their country (as well as the UK, Spain, Italy, etc) are scheduled and making time to watch them. On rainy days and in between real play, playing FIFA with a gaming console and/or games with fantasy leagues. Imagine your child only not thinking about soccer when they are sleeping. 4) because of the points made above, even if some kids might not love soccer, or be that good at it, it’s a social tool to integrate with other kids. So those that don’t play will support their friends. Those that don’t play well will still practice and get good enough to contribute and play with their friends in formal youth league games. Our group of fathers also is very supportive and also will try to play at least one father-son game per year, every year. (Though at U14 now, we only managed a tie this year on a full 11 player field.)
Que grande! Con la camiseta de Belgrano de Cordoba, club de donde surgió el gran Cuti Romero. I'm from Argentina and I can attest it's a country where soccer is deeply ingrained in the culture. Growing up, playing soccer was a significant part of my everyday life. I vividly remember the countless hours spent playing with friends, a time filled with joy and camaraderie. It was on those makeshift fields that I first learned to play at the age of six or seven, often practicing alone at home to refine my technique. Soccer wasn't just a sport for me; it was a passion so intense that I always had my ball with me, even during family vacations. Then when I started playing at a club, what they taught and gave me was structure, organization, and tactical knowledge.
A mi en México me gustaba tanto el fútbol cuando era niño y adolescente, que los días entre semana previos a los partidos de mi liga amateur del fin de semana, yo me iba a la Cama pensando y soñando como iba a jugar dando pases, quitando balones y metiendo goles.
Futbol is so much a part of our culture that we may play with whatever we find. As a kid I would spend my summer hollidays in the argentine city of San Juan. There I would play with other kids in the neighbourhood. But we played on the sidewalk, without shoes, using an empty plastic bottle as the ball and the goals were marked with our shoes. No bath would later remove the dirt from my feet.
Soccer in Argentina is very easy to play. It is not necessary to have facilities at all. You just need to improvise a playing field in a square, garden of a house or any space where the ball can run. Only one ball is required. If it doesn't exist for money or whatever, you improvise with what you have on hand. At my primary school we were not allowed to carry a ball. It only existed in gym classes. That's why, during recess, we played with plastic soda lids, Coca Cola cans, or anything that pretended to be a ball.
In Brazil (I belieave in Argentina too) we use Futsal to make kids understand space and the importace of movement... I think that experience realy helps when you start to play in a bigger pitch!
YEs you are right, all my childhood I played Futbol sala / futsal in Argentina, that is where I learned most of my footwork as a kid and quick passing, it makes you act quicker under pressure
im from argentina and never knew of the existence of futsal, always plays futbol 5 in fake glass fields (mas o menos creo q le pegue en la gramatica jajjaja)
Futsal it's a thing but not for youths down here in Argentina, unless you are from Buenos Aires City, were they have a lot of places that have the facilities to engage in futsal, the rest of the country plays in potreros for the most part, they are like little patches of land with grass or just dirt and gravel were people set up 1 or 2 goal posts 🥅, those places have no roof and kids play with whatever ball they can get their hands on. The potreros are free, anyone can play. Now there is also neighborhood clubs that do have a small fee, almost every neighborhood have those, potreros are everywhere. As you get older people rent pitches to play, and 5v5 futsal pitches with roofs are sought-after because you can play with bad weather, you can park your car there, you don't need that many people to play and you begin to actually play futsal way later in life than in Brazil, it's my personal favorite. There is more options available in the market too, like 5v5 with artificial grass, 7v7 with artificial grass, natural grass or just dirt, 9v9 pitches and full size pitches for rent too, there is also constantly open tournaments with cash prices year round, they could be short format or long format. I mean there is always an option for everyone out there to play, no matter your budget, your level or your involvement.
You nail it. That’s the real difference. When you learn how to play in a small space you can develop a great technique that will make different whenever you play in a big pitch
@@joshuawalker301 Yo siempre vi en cada plazita una canchita de fútbol 5 y mira que recorri casi todo el pais. Tipica canchita en la plaza, o mismo en el pasto meten dos arcos a medida parecida la de futbol 5. Aunque no sea futsal es prácticamente lo mismo. Muchos chicos juegan asi
exactly. probably though this is why soccer will never reach the highest levels in the US, we just have too many sports all competiting against each other for time/money of the fans.
Now image the cause of people moving away from Soccer and then moving towards Baseball, Basketball & American Football. Soccer's "Pay to Play" system. Some people are not able to afford it, particularly the very low income families with kids who are talented. Because of the expensive cost of "Pay to Play" those families & kids are pushed away from Soccer and they'll turn towards other sports in the US, due to them being more affordable & accessible alternatives.
I used to take pictures for the youth academy of a team currently in Argentina's first division, and you're absolutely right about parent intensity. What's interesting is that we're probably the most intense crowds when it comes to professional matches, but getting worked up about kids' football is crass. They're supposed to be learning, they'll have enough pressure soon enough if they keep going through the ranks. Even the youth coaches will state that they don't really care about winning cups. Of course they'll be delighted if it comes to that, but the first priority is producing players for the professional team (or for sale). Nobody REALLY cares about a youth championship anyway, and it's not worth sacrificing the physical or mental health of promising young players. Also, the thing about futbol being omnipresent? 100% correct. It sucks for those of us without any talent or interest for it, but it's definitely a thing.
In Argentina and South America in general, futbol is a passion. That kind of passion for the sport will never exist in the USA no matter how much money you throw at it. Passion for anything leads to excellence.
I don't know about that. I am on long island and my son just started for a brand new Police Athletic League in a very heavy Central and South American area. OMG The amount of the community in the park we are practicing at just playing is crazy. I believe the amount of Immigrants from these areas is why soccer is becoming more popular in the US.
I have lived in Peru and I have traveled the world to Futbol countries like Germany, Italy, France, and England. I actually agree with your assessment of how things are done in the two countries. This is why I take my son to the park and we have free play and pickup games often against older players. My son is still only 6 years old but has been playing U9 Academy and is currently playing against U10 teams in indoor. Free play against other ages is important as they develop better decision making skills and learn to improvise in tough situations.
6 is a bit small to play against adults though. my kid is 9 and i take him a bit to adult games, but i think 11 or above is better. it is also good to let kids play down to lesser kids so that they can get in a lot of reps in low pressure. this way they can do movements that they may not try against older kids.
@nofurtherwest3474 My son does at times play against kids his own age, but it was often not much of a challenge for him. It was one of the reasons I had him tryout for the Academy team at such a young age because when he was playing rec he scored 5 or more goals a game. Plus I was coaching and doing trainings at a facility with kids his own age and much older and he still held his own against the older players. So I will report that he is now going to move up with his team to U10 and had a good season where he still scored goals with both A and B teams in U9. I try to get in as much time as possible at the parks with pick up games and we go to professional games to watch the best of the best. We will be at the Copa America game for Argentina vs Canada coming up.
I used to live in La Plata, every sunday i went to see the games of kids in the 15/16 years old range of the bigs clubs, Estudiantes, Newells, Argentinos Jr, River, Boca etc, you have to see that kind of games next visit, is amazing
Great observations coach. I was born in Argentina and have an American dad. I played in both places. Another aspect that might have been harder to observe over the course of a month is player selection. Compared to the US, athleticism is not emphasized, as the differences tend to diminish over time. Argentina has no U-17 titles but the most U-20 titles.
Being American with an Argentine mom and playing a lot in the US and a bit in Argentina (going there today actually), this is spot on. In Argentina, I would feel at an athletic advantage sometimes while I was at a huge athletic disadvantage in the US. The us focuses on the wrong thing, which is athleticism, while Argentina focuses on quality knowing you can make any player athletic once they reach their late teens and start to become men. I think if I played my whole life in Argentina rather than the US I would still be playing competitively today as a 19-year-old.
Hola, quiero contar mi experiencia como Argentino, tengo 47 años. En primer lugar muy bueno el video. La clave para entender el futbol argentino, es lo que ya muchos dijeron, que los chicos (los varones más que nada), nos la pasábamos todo el día jugando a la pelota, en mi caso vivía en un complejo de departamentos que se conectaban entre si en un pequeño parque (o patio) y ahí estabamos todo el día, y si no había nadie con quien jugar, era solo patear contra la pared. Cuando multiplicás esto tenés miles de chicos talentosos. Hoy en día se está perdiendo un poco eso, porque ya no hay tantos lugares libres como antes para jugar gratis y las plazas a veces no tienen el lugar suficiente. Yo Además iba a aprender a Velez Sarsfield y jugabamos torneos recreativos allí, pero la actividad en Vélez era solo 2 veces a la semana, ahí aprendías la técnica. Luego ir a ver a tu club no era algo ocacional, es una religión y si no lo viste en el estadio, lo veías en la tele, en argentina se mira mucho futbol, tenemos el ojo tan entrenado que veías solo pararse a una persona en la cancha y ya te dabas cuenta si era bueno o no. A veces miramos partidos de la MLS y nos llama la atención decisiones que toman, hay ciertas reglas no escritas, ejemplo nunca se rechaza para el medio si sos defensor. En argentina los adultos siguen jugando al futbol en lo que llamamos futbol 5, las canchas en alquiler están llenas y de gente de todas las edades.
Tengo 51, soy de Rosaro y sigo jugando. Después de la escuela primaria a la mañana TODAS las santas tardes nos juntabamos con los chicos a jugar al fútbol en el parque independencia.Si existe el paraiso debe ser una repetición infinita de esas tardes de alegría y fútbol.
Yo dejé de jugar futbol en la calle a los 12 años. Pero, mientras fui niño mi unico juguete era la pelota, y salia al barrio a jugar al futbol con los niños. A veces salia un vecino mio solo, y yo veia que estaba jugando solo, y salia a jugar un arco a arco con él, y cuando otro vecino veia que eramos 2, salia y jugabamos una marianela, que le deciamos asi a cuando uno va al arco y los demas juegan a meter gol todos contra todos en un solo arco. o el 25. En realidad lo interesante que tiene el futbol cuando sos chiquito son todas las modalidades de futbol que podes jugar con tus amiguitos. Despues a los 11 ya empezabamos a competir con otros barrios. Recuerdo que llegue a ser bastante bueno, pero despues me enganche con el basquet y el voley. Ahora soy un patadura.
@@luquitaz5 Acá en el centro de rosario hay dos parques muy grandes(Urquiza e Independencia) a dónde ibamos a jugar. Eran los tiempos en que los niños podían andar solos por las calles. Ahora para que un pibe haga deporte con regularidad y seguridad hay que llevarlo a club. Lo que vos contás de organizarnos para jugar sin importar cuántos eramos pasaba tal cual, poner las remeras para hacer los arcos, el "pan y queso" que hacian los mejores para eleguir los jugadores, todo eso es parte de la inocencia de la niñez.Para los que tuvimos la suerte de tener una familia que nos crió con amor la niñez es la patria de todos.
Es increíble pero cierto, cuando decías eso de "en cualquier casa hay una pelotas dando vueltas o simplemente en el suelo". Uno estando acá ni lo percibe, es una obligación tácita la cual se acepta y es lo que nos diferencia. Como sudamericanos, todos somos apasionados por este hermoso deporte pero siento que argentina sobre pasa ese umbral (puede que hable desde la nostalgia y el nacionalismo). Haciendo memoria, recuerdo ir al colegio a las 7:30 am, jugar con una pelotita de tenis o una bolita de cinta en el patio con mí hermano, jugar en los recreos y en gimnasia, en cumpleaños, vacaciones, plazas, días de lluvia, sol, en la calle usando piedras de arco. Pero lo mejor es que uno nunca deja de jugar, ahora de adulto tengo 4 grupos de fútbol, los amigos del barrio, los que nos conocemos de jardin, el fútbol mixto, los del laburo y seguro te invitan a un f5 si falta uno, es un círculo vicioso al que cuesta negarse.
jugar a la pelota en la calle abajo de la lluvia en verano es uno de los recuerdos mas hermosos y preciados de mi infancia. me crie en Avellaneda y ahora vivo en la patagonia. todavia extraño esos veranos. 😄
I am english. I'm 57 now but when I was a kid, I played every second possible. During breaks at school and after school. And also for the school. As an adult I still play every week with friends and I follow premier league football and world competitions such as the world cup euros etc. I now live in Uruguay, Argentina's neighbour and I play in a group whose members range from 18 to 60. I am the second oldest in the group. We all play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. In terms of technical ability there is a lot of great ball control but (and I think I speak for Argentina too) there is less ability to play as a team. My friends are not great at tactical play or passing. They love to dribble and take long range shots even when there are better options open and I think this plagues the mode of play generally in this region, an emphasis on technical ability but less on team build up. This is why I think the success of teams in this part of the world comes in waves becuase they need an entire squad of talented players, not just good team work. Europe can tend to suffer from the opposite problem. I work in a Uruguayan school with a tiny playground and every moment of every break the area is full of boys playing football. I should add that as a school kid I played basketball and was considered a good player, the best in my school and we had a great team. As an adult I worked in an American school where I was invited to play basketball and I was basically rubbish. And this is because basketball is the USA's street game while for soccer nations it is football.
Es verdad que en el futbol rioplante los jugadores habilidosos son bastante egoistas, o como se decia en mi barrio, morfones. preferian errar un gol que pasarsela al compañero. A los habilidosos les gusta hacerse ver pero en general no son buenos jugando en equipo. Nunca me gusto DiMaria justamente por eso. en los ultimos años se volvio mucho mas generoso con la pelota y su juego mejoro tremendamente. En ese sentido Messi es un distinto: un habilidoso que le gusta hacer jugar a sus compañeros. por ese defecto en Argentina faltan buenos numeros 5.
Hi coach, I agree with your points. I don't know too much about US youth soccer, however everything you point out about Argentinian youth soccer is spot on. One thing I want to point out because you were in Cordoba, Six-a-side youth soccer, called baby futbol. In Buenos Aires there are more than 200 clubs, spanning multiples ages, where almost all the professional players started they career. Riquelme, Sorin, Cambiasso, Gago, Paredes, Redondo all played in Parque, a famous baby futbol club.
I was going to say that! This is huge. I think the 200 figure is too low. I'm originally from Wilde in the south of Buenos Aires and, from the top of my head, I can count 10 or 15 clubs only in my area. These clubs, founded and run by the community, do an incredible job in providing players for the big clubs among other even more important things. Club Parque is famous but there are players emerging from this Social Clubs everywhere. My little club produced the Milito brothers who ended up playing for Independiente and Racing first and then for Barcelona and Inter, one of them winning the champions league. ua-cam.com/video/Hs0fCn9dl4Q/v-deo.html
Hi Rory, just discovered your channel through this video, it's very interesting. I'm from Argentina, and I want to add something to your final note on the facilities. Much of it depends on the club's economy, which in turn depends on the general economy, which hasn't been good for some time. This means that even within first division clubs there may be disparity in infrastructure, with the biggest having the best training grounds (for youth and senior teams) and the smaller clubs not always being able to upgrade them regularly. Also, clubs here are civil associations, not for profit entities, and they host many sports and social activities bringing local communities together, so even if football is the main activity for the club (both in member interest and in income) they will often have more infrastructure to maintain than just the football pitches. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing a different take on how youth football works here and how it compares to the US, so keep up the good work!
Now, that you mention it, in Mexico, there is no such thing as professional clubs as you say, even if the official name of the team says CLUB, or AC. They are soccer organizations, for sure, but they are for profit and don't include other sports, and many clubs are sold and purchased or change owners.
a fellow cordobés here and also a belgrano fan hahaha i happen to stumble at this video and i think it's very intresting to hear the opinion of a foreigner about our football thank you
Thanks for sharing your experience. I think i disagree on the parity of technical skills. From the US youth games I've watched, teams are unable to string together more than 2 passes before losing possesion, often times due of poor technical skills. Agree 100% that many other countries have youth who are far more clued into movement and speed of play. I have distinct memories watching a youth game in spain and being blown away by their passing. I hate stopping by a US youth practice and seeing all the kids standing around for 10-15minutes only to do some stupid structed drill that doesn't generate many touches or active movement. One solution ive envisioned is organized pickup play twice a week to fill in the days kids arent with their formal clubs - lots of gameplay, different teammates, different skill levels, good cheap fun and socialization to carry over into their formal clubs/leagues
The problem is a lot of rec leagues where the parents coach but the parents don't have soccer experience. But kudos to them because its hard to find volunteers.
The way most kids learn how to play is just by going to a park and playing against other older kids. Since older kids will just happen to better, kids look at them and try to imitate their movement, tricks and a specific type of "street touch", a touch which is very foundamental to South American players. In addition, a lot of kids/young teens play futsal where they learn a different type of ball control, flair, reaction time, intuition and pace. Since space is much more reduced and the surface is different, they start picking up different techniques to control which translate into a real pitch. Having a smaller playing area, helps their reaction to be quicker because pressure is continuos, you hear callouts from other players, etc. These essential skills develop into something more structured and technical once they are part of an academy. I think its done inversely in the US, where kids just run around a cone, do some dribbling drills and shoot at an open net but they don't really get to pick up on foundations which are later needed once a kid gets to his teens. I understand that in the US people do it for some sort incentive, everybodys gotta eat, but i think there should more freedom for kids to play and learn.
Argentinian here. My younger son (8) moves around the house with a small ball on his feet. All the time. Sometimes, when he crosses some other member of the family, a small football exchange occurs. It's amazing to see how fast he has enhanced his ball management and protection (using his body). Now, when he is in a game, those things happens naturally, and he can concentrate on other - more tactical - things
Well I'm from Cordoba but I've lived in Australia for 50 years. I'm also a fan of Belgrano having lived south of the stadium, when I lived there as a young boy. Thanks for the video.
I love your channel. In response to your comment about parents in Argentina being quiet during games and not being allowed into the facility when session or happening. In response to the first one being a coach and parent, in the U.S. we pay to play. So parents feel as if the son or daughter should be able to give 110% each day. Parents feel like “hey? Im paying for you to play so i need 110% all the time. Not being able to play will relax me and other parents for sure. In response to the second point, parents here in the US want to see the session to see what the coach is teaching to see if it’s worth paying the fees. Plus there are no in closed facilities and if there is mostly academy. The pay to play system trickles down to every negative aspect in each sport here in the USA
Hey! An Argentine here, I liked your analysis of the style of play and tactical qualities because it has been said for a long time that the virtue of the Argentine football player is his technique. That's why I very much agree with you, the technique of the Argentine football player is no longer world-class (mainly due to the lack of physical qualities, which limits technical expression). However, we still maintain such a strong connection with football that it explains a lot of the high level of footballers we have. I have no doubt that we are the country where culturally we breathe football the most (even more than Brazil or England).
In Spain many kids play on basketball court sized areas with smaller goals and 5 a side teams. The players rotate too so all the kids rotate through the positions.
Great video! I spent a few years living in Argentina and can attest to soccer being a way of life there. There are dirt lots with makeshift goals in every neighborhood and kids just playing constantly. Also another difference is that kids in the US can get college scholarships for soccer whereas that is not part of the pathway there which might explai why parents are more willing to spend on youth soccer with hopes of it paying off someday.
This is a very interesting video, I have 2010 son that plays MLS Next and have seen some players from other ages get picked by MLS first teams and thats very hopeful for us because it takes a big sacrifice for the parents to travel and economically wise but at the end is all for the love of our children and soccer, my son was recently invited to a U.S. soccer boys talent ID . We feel very proud of him ❤⚽️
Ohhh que capo con la camiseta de Belgranooo, de ahí viene el gran Cuti Romero! Thanks for this video, yeah we really breath futbol here, euros play for the glory, we play for the love and passion of this beautiful sport
You nail it. I'm an Argentinian living in The US since 2001. I played soccer all my life, but when I went to visit my family after long years, it was a shock to experience that physicality again, and most important, space and movement. Looking back at my own playing, I lacked good intruction about space and movement, many times kids are on their own, but breath soccer and that overcomes a lot problems for many.
Start playing on a field with holes , partially grass even with pools of water after the rain ,gives more feeling how the ball behaves, and sharpens your movements and reactions.
A child in Argentina can probably watch between 7 and 20 futbol games per week. When we are not playing football we are watching it. And if we are neither watching or playing, we find out news information about the transfer market or watching games that we did not see before. It`s cultural. I remember when I played soccer and the annual registration fee cost about 20 dollars. Then 5 dollars a month. Many of my friends' parents couldn't afford it. Then the price was raised from 5 dollars to 7. Or they organized raffles or lotteries along with the sale of meat, sausages and hamburgers so that no child, regardless of their social class, would be left without playing futbol. It is very common for clubs to have words in their names like: "social and sporting, Justice or youth" For kids futbol it's a right.
I found this video very insightful, especially as a parent facing challenges with my child's involvement in competitive soccer in the United States. My 9-year-old son excels in soccer, but I am overwhelmed by the club politics and the behavior of other parents. I'm uncertain about the best way to ensure he's in a nurturing environment for the long term. Is it common to interview other clubs or to inquire with our current club about their plans for improvements next year? The prospect of enduring another year of this situation is daunting, and I'm concerned about being committed to a club for an entire year
Yes I would absolutely do your due diligence on picking a club/team. It’s so tough for parents. I’d be happy to help if you wanted to email me directly. coachrorysoccer@gmail.com
Great brief. Argentinian having my brother in LA and visiting several times the U.S. let me tell that is about what you described mostly. As a kid even on a rainy day we did one hour at least with a tennis ball on the garage.
i’m the opposite of you. i’m from cordoba, married to an american and i play soccer regularly in the states. mind you i’m 45. all of your point are spot on. i’d like to add two big things. one, the lack of tools and facilities to me is actually an advantage. kids in argentina as you probably noticed, don’t play in beautiful groomed grass or perfect arrificial turf. they play in fields with barely any grass on them and in many cases with rocks/holes all over. most people think that’s a disadvantage and it actually helps them develop amazing control on the ball. same with street play. many kids don’t have a perfect ball to play with and sometimes they play with balls that are deflated, or they aren’t even balls. it’s not uncommon to see kids playing with a plastic ball, or a bottle, or a sock full of paper. that creates an environment of great uncertainty for the player and they adapt to it. once those kids play with a real number 5 ball, in a real field with perfect grass, it’s extremely easy for them. you didn’t notice differences in technique but i would argue that you didn’t watch very carefully. there are huge differences in technique and ball control comparing always same ages and obviously talking in general. and the other point is playing time which you made a point about culture. in Argentina, 90% of your friends play soccer and the other 10% play another sport so it’s very easy to play with your friends. on the states, kids have schedules, they have karate, swimming, ice skating, and their life is organized differently. in argentina kids play in the street in their free time, or just hang out with friends, in the US kids are on their phones or in their rooms playing video games online or interacting with their friends on snapchat.. these are very important differences that can’t be overlooked.
Wow! Well i'm 43 so were not too far off. But yes you are opposite married to an American and being from Cordoba. Thank you for the insight and points!
Otra cosa que existe en USA es la OBESIDAD en niños. Eso, en ARGENTINA aún no sucede, debido a la mala situación económica, pero también por la cultura de la Población de hacer deportes o alguna actividad a edades tempranas.
Awesome video! Im from buenos aires. We also had many games based on football. Like the "25" or "football tenis". When i was a kid this were the games that we played on the street or elsewhere, and that helps a lot in the control of the Ball.
Coach, try to get your team to take part of a tournament in South America, there, if the kids have potential they will get offered a spot in one of the local teams..we had a team from Canada attend the Punta Cup a few years back and a few kids were identified, they got a spot in the academy team of Nacional of Uruguay, some stayed and made it to first division, got sold to other teams, played in Mexico 1st division, made it to MLS, and actually a couple made it to Canada’s National team…all of them said that without the South American Futbol experience they would not have made it…we have to export our youth players to gain the necessary exposure and experience in order to make us competitive at the world stage.
El fútbol en nuestro pais se da de manera natural donde los niños JUEGAN con sus amigos de bariio dasafiandose con otros del barrio y asi sucesivamente nace la competencia natural y si le sumas que juegan en la calle o plaza o descanpado. Eso hace que seamos unicos junto con Brasil en ser distintos a todo el mundo
Eu sou do brasil e acho isso. O futebol faz parte de nossas vidas desde criancas. Mas me parece que isso esta diminuindo no brasil. O que vejo inclusive como parte do declinio do brasil nos ultimos anos eh uma queda da cultura do futebol. Obvio que a cultura do futebol ainda eh enorme no brasil, mas me parece um pouco menor do que antes. Posso estar enganado, mas me parece que a cultura do futebol no brasil esta mais fraca que a 30 anos atras. Hoje estou na argentina ja a algumas semanas visitando, e vejo o futebol aqui mais forte do que nunca. Algo que me parece menor no brasil. Claro tambem que ha a vitoria recente da argentina, mas me lembro bem mesmo apos 2002 no brasil nao me parece que foi de grande ajuda.
Hey from Argentina here. One of the last topic you touched, the tactical awareness one, is indeed from our culture. Playing football is more than a sport here and in similar football-crazed countries, it's a way to meet people, share something and even get something if you were born and raised in a poor neighbor, as someone else already said in the comments regarding "villas". Add to that the understanding of football roles is ingrained to everyone from a very young age and you have another huge factor why here we can move up a step and focus on either other aspects of the game or refine what a child already know from their background. Great video and cheers coach! PS. Something that surprises me a lot is the ban on headers. While I do understand the health side, it sounds like bonkers not to teach them aerial plays until they're on the early teens (I guess?) when that's such an important part of the game, especially for set pieces. If there's some video I could sate my curiosity with in this aspect, I'm all ears.
From a small Cordoba town here. I played football here at even lower division club until 21, I can attest that is really tough. We developed a certain physical condition and when you are a defender you can see that even smaller guys know how to use the body to move bigger guys. Nowadays there's better training and better assessments on nutritional issues we didn't have 15 years ago
loco, que buena presentcion!!!Mi hijo de 14 esta como loco metido en "fulvo", y esta dando rapidos pasos de progreso. En el interin, yo no cuajava con el ambiente. me gusta verlo pasarla bien, reise, y es sierto lo que desis, fuera de la cacha hay un tanto de presion competitiva desde los padres. Thanks Cocach! what a way to explain it. Well done. thanks from Ohio.
Goto an indoor place in US. There’s 2 games. On the small field is mostly immigrant types who pass, move and try all sorts of crazy stuff. On the larger field is upper middle class types who physical and fit, run set plays coached by a former baseball player. Coaches controlling the game seems unique to American sports. It seems you noticed that with the Argentine parents.
I am the Rec Director of a Club in Florida. We have just under 1000 players ages 4 thru 19. Our Rec side costs right at $200 for the entire year! Our comp. side costs maybe double that provided they get zero sponsorships. My own personal U13 team secured enough sponsorships in which we ended up paying $0. I only say that because I've always heard it's free in the "rest of the world". Then when I got asking direct questions to some coaches from Man. United they informed me that "free" really meant a couple of hundred dollars for uniforms and ref fees. So it is possible to have a successful club in USA for what the rest of the world is calling "free". We do this because all of our Board of Directors and Coaches are all 100% volunteers! We do fall under the FYSA and USYS btw.
Great video..as an argentinian that played there I 100% agreed with you...I would add another difference, those youth academies have at least 3 teams for each age group with at least 25 players and they are moving players from the "1st" to the "3er" team constantly according to their performance every week, this way you put all players at same level of competition. In the other hand, here in USA it is very hard to find academies that do that..."getting married" with players that do no perform like use to do years ago, making harder for the rest of the players.
Good review on youth Argie Futbol. If I may, clubs are associations in our country. They have a social role trying to keep kids out of the streets. And it’s a way out economically for the few families that make it.
Lived in Argentina and Germany had the privilege to play and participate in both cultures. The gemans are a pass culture and very technical. Argentinian are passionate and take the shot culture.
Im Argentinian but i live in England (for the last 20 years or so , my kid was born here too). I agree that for us football is a constant thing (even tho it wasn't my main sport) i was juggling the ball all day as a kid , playing outside,inside, at school everywhere . I played basketball at a good level and we would warm up by sometimes playing football. In England i see this quite a lot as well , for example I've literally just dropped my kid to nursery , it's misty and cold outside , but kids were playing football on the parks (at 08am before school) , so kids are quite invested here and it is a cultural thing . But at home (argentina) it's at a different level it's not even a thing you think about anymore , you just do it.
You should come to Germany once. 😊 when I was young - now I’m in the mid 50s - I used to play soccer as well all day long. As often as possible. Club membership is less than 100€ per year, so basically you only need your own shoes and training sportswear. In Germany parents voluntarily support the club and of course us youth coaches we do that as well for free.
Peruvian here living in the US for a long time, I played soccer in the streets where there are no rules (or sometimes in very heated local leagues), your game speaks for you and your willingness to stand your ground. Going to a soccer plex or to an academy was a luxury completely inimaginable back in my day (heck, there were none, but nowadays there are soccer camps managed by former soccer players in the old country. I still play at my age and playing better than ever, is like my skills get more honed as I get older. Although the US has made a lot of progress from the early MLS days (back in 1996 where the level was very amateur to say the least), I still see the lack of that little "something" in some players, it is hard to define but I would say is the instincts and awareness that only pure street soccer gives you. Granted, here in the US we have a great athletic base and that helps tremendously but because the great majority are the product of soccer camps, soccerplexes, youth coaches which is well structured, the street factor (or potrero as is known in Argentina) is not quite there yet, and that makes a difference when playing against South Americans or some Europeans. Nevertheless, I am confident the USMNT system will eventually develop more world class players in the near future.
I imagine the fencing at the game is there for multiple reasons, but I wonder just how much that contributes to the psyche of the parents -- acting as a literal and figurative barrier between them and the team.
@belzieatriz No worries, I was not good as a player, but was able to referee when my kids were playing growing up. my son's coach was Guatemalan, and while he wasn't a great coach he loved the game and did what he could to help the kids.
Howdy, coach, an Argie here of Irish descent living in Cordoba city and a Belgrano team fan ! So it was nice to watch you wearing our beloved Light Blue jersey ! Mighty interesting vid. Best wishes and stay well.
Nice insight! A cultural thing of ours Is that we are taught from childhood to control our 'passion' and when release it. That Is why we can use a high passionate amount of energy and not be especially agresive.
Yeah, you are right on the mark. I will also add the fact that might have been overseen, and that is the fact that having kids play all day, anywhere really, helps a lot with the tactical part, so you can focus on other stuff faster. In the US you have a standardized time to play, and you have to use it to polish players, shooting, passing, positioning, receiving, etc... in Argentina most kids will know these things by the time they are 12 already, and they can improve it, but on average, they are already better than American kids at that age from the simple fact thay they are always running around with a soccer ball on their feet.
Glad you had a nice experience here, happy to have you, Coach. I think that you will find very interesting any interview you can find on Pablo Aimar, former Argentina star player and now part of the National Team coach staff (like a Coach Beard to Coach Lasso 😅). He also coaches the U20 Team, and he’s very clear and great to listen to. Hope this helps.
Hi, Belgrano is a somewhat poor club from first division, but managed to make players like "cuti"romero, a world champion. in the richest clubs the level of infrastructure is higher. and the parents, well, lets say u had a GOOD experience lol, we are passionate and sometimes violent with futbol i liked your video, nice work
Great review. I'm from Argentina and moved to LA 8 years ago. Of course, soccer is a lifestyle in Argentina. As a kid/young adult, I used to play literally every day on any little piece of grass we had. I never went to any club or anything; it was just my group of friends getting together on the street and inviting “the owner of the ball” to come. Lol! That’s what coaches in Arg don’t want to lose by giving too much technicalities to the kids. In the US, It’s hard to get that level of passion when the sport is not as well known as basketball or football. So I think the organization and a good team structure (i.e. budget, fields, coaches, etc) to support the kids that like to play is an asset in this country. I enjoyed your review! Thanks! I hope you enjoyed some good Fernet in Cordoba!
Argentina youth players have the attitude of an Alpha Male, if you not have that you never be great, thats why you notice the expression and aggression of his bodies and the knowledge of the field and position all this combined with passion, fun and repect for his team mates, create uniques and sensationals football players.
Scaloni! Last time I heard and I totally agree that soccer is seen as a spectacle more than a sport, that's why ticket sales go down when messi doesn't play or are returned when he is not on the field.
Hi coach! Great video! I'm from Argentina but have been living in Ireland for 8 years now. I was working as a coach until recently and fully agree with you on the physical and tactical aspects. I feel like the players here in Ireland (and I guess the same in the US) are a bit naive comparing to Argentineans, my guess is that is purely because of the play time. Only 2/3 hours a week training sessions compared to growing up playing the whole day, sometimes with older siblings or cousins who would beat you or try to take advantage. Again, great video and now subcribed 😃
Thanks, excelent video. I am from Argentina. Football is part of the culture like you said. I am 30 years old, and most people in that age or even 40 years old play regulary with friends once at week in a small field 5 vs 5. So your son or the kids watch how important it sport is because adult play it a lot. And that also true in video games. most people have a play station just for play football in it.
If you want to see the real Argentinian youth football experience you need to go to a potrerillo, yeah, some kids start in clubs like that but messi, dimaria, maradona, all started on their neighbourhood Potrerillo
Excellent presentation. The pathway for great success are truly missed or mislead, never given an opportunity to be scouted, financial becomes an issue. Only if America played more pickup games on streets or the local parks. The outcome will be different.
7:40 If they have good facilities in junior divisions and they don't adapt to playing on deplorable grounds, what happens when they become adults and have to play on bad grounds? The South American football player has to get used to playing on all terrains and especially on bad ones. That prepares them better than the European.
As a child growing up in Haiti. I was a big fan of the Argentina NT. I always liked the aggression in their game. This was something very special and unique to Argentina. I always wondered how they could just run non-stop like that to get the ball compared to other teams. Uruguay is the only team that even come close. Can you please shed some light to that? Can you tell us why? Btw, you look like Scaloni.
I think the main thing that is different to other places over here is how natural it comes to play. I don't mean it in the talent side of things (though I could make an argument about it, lol) but how natural it just comes to say "hey, let's play some ball". This doesn't need to be structured or a match, just a kickabout with some friends from a very early age. I remember having friends visiting as a kid, not older than 5, and we would immediatly go into the street and just pass the ball around and pretend the trees were our goals. And if it was raining too much to stay outside, which sometimes wouldn't stop us, we sould just move the chairs around and pass the ball under the table
As an argentinian i have to tell you that practice sessions and matches are not that technical and professional at that age because we think that is better for them to enjoy the game instead of taking it too seriously.
That was my impression. Was refreshing to be honest.
@@CoachRorySoccer
It becomes more and more professional once they start climbing up categories tho.
I work in security for "Club Sarmiento de Junin" and get to see reserve and u18 matches, they are as good if not better than first team matches tbh.
Recently Belgrano played against Velez here for the national reserve cup, was a fantastic game!!
Agreed. I think it's also the main factor behind the difference in parent intensity. There's just a higher level of competitiveness about anything and everything in average American mentality. IMO
@@FR-AN I think is simply the case that argentinians in average understand the sport a lot more than "americans" and that's the reason they trust in coaches. Also no need to pressure the kids, we know only a really small portion of them will reach first division anyway.
Potrero's life...that's the Big Trick
Another very very very big difference is the killing of creativity in many US high level soccer teams. I come from an all Argentinian family but was born and lived my whole life here in the Us. I’ve played primarily in the ECNL system here, but I have traveled often and played with Velez. The biggest difference to me is how the game is played. The US is too focused on long balls and running for running’s sake going off your point of a limited tactical understanding. Many coaches I’ve had have discouraged dribbling and playing the game with fun and creativity, instead opting for robotic and dull passes backwards and long balls forward to the attackers. The beauty of Argentinian football to me is that this is not discouraged. In the US coaches scream at you to take max 2 touches and play quickly. However, forcing a player to only take 2 touches is not how u teach to play quickly. The beauty of Argentinian football is that players still do play quickly and selflessly but are not discouraged from dribbling. Through playing so much, players in Argentina have learned when to take 2 or less touches and when to hold the ball, turn a man and play. There is a wrong emphasis in the US with what they consider “playing quickly” which is basically limiting technical players to 2 touches even when it doesn’t make sense to only 2 touches. At a young age, all this does is take away the flair and creativity from young developing players.
Totally, my friend. I was thinking that. Our passion for the 1on1 is what drives us and the reason why Argentina produces players that are different. I don't even have to name them. Dribbling is the fun of football.
Por eso argentina tiene 3 copas del mundo y estados unidos le dice soccer al futbol
I'm curious to know which area of the country you play in. This country is so big that there are different styles of play all over. In Miami, long ball is not king. Not like it is in Austin for example. ECNL is another story. The pressure those clubs feel to win definitely destroys creativity.
There is a similar scourge in NZ. ‘Quick release, quick release!’ Even when there is space to drive into. Opposition players also know that our players have to get rid of the ball so don’t have to pressure the ball carrier and can just wait for the daft pass to no one or straight back to them (the opponent). Drives me nuts.
soy argentino y crecí en usa. jugué al fútbol en el high school y dejé el equipo porque no se podía jugar con entrenadores yanquis. no tienen idea de lo que es el fútbol. es soccer. una pavada total
Born in the United States but my dad was from Argentina and I was partially raised there. You started the video with a great observation that futbol is everywhere. I played in Argentina and would not have gone to a club or even a try out if I did not think I was good enough playing in the local park or street. Kids in Argentina teach each other, there is a peer pressure to learn or practice and attempt tricks or what they call gambeta. Parents might not send their child to a club if they dont think the child is good enough. Like an uncoordinated tall skinny kid might be placed in basketball or voleyball instead. Sports in general are popular in Argentina, none like futbold, but sports like rugby, basketball and tennis are very popular and its full of kids that were seen as not good enough to play soccer. A kid would be embarrassed to play soccer if he could not properly shoot the ball or field passes.
Thanks for sharing!
Sos Argentino. El Argentino nace donde quiere. Feliz aniversario de la copa del mundo titán
@@Bleuthatupme considero Italo Argentino, sigo teniendo familia en Rosario y BsAs pero tambien Italia
@@fernandoverdini7761 bueno, como dos tercios de argentina (yo también!). Que lindo nunca perder contacto con el terruño
Abrazo campeón
You have a cool background.
I feel our kids in the US don't play enough at the local park/street. I wonder why.
I noticed Argentina were in the Rugby World Cup.
I'll add something to the culture. We all play at all ages. I'm 42. I am not really a good player. I was never good a player. But I still play at least twice a week. In fact I just came back home from a game on a 9-a-side pitch where the youngest was 17 and the oldest was 65.-
Thank you!
oh yeah this so much. Wer hace a culture of Futbol 5 (five a side soccer) where you just gather friends and people of different age, everytthing is valid and you just play. Sometimes someone comes with his 13 lil cousein, simetimes old uncle with 65 wants to take part, and its amazing you have to adapt to wathever is on the field and every player knows his strenght, is very common to have the younglins as fast ball carriers for example, the old and big guys as an impassable defense and giving long passes, but no one has to say anything, you just know what you can do and cant do given your physiche
That's true, I play once a week with my work colleagues and once a week with my pals. I'm a mechanic and the dudes I play with go from 25 to like deep 50s and they play play, they got cardio for days, dudes can have a like a serious protruding beer gut or be 100 kilos plus in weight and still be able to run, sprint, jog, etc because their are so adapted to the activity it's hilarious. I'm 30 and I still enjoy playing, I love a good 5v5 with a smaller and heavier n⁰4 ball.
That is another good point, related to my last comment, the USA has no soccer culture (for men's soccer that is, because for women's soccer they have a great culture and that is why USA is normally good at women's soccer)
This is such a nice and accurate comment. As a woman, I´ve played my whole life, and I'm still playing "mixto" matches (men and women) at 34 years old, and being in Mexico now. We're all people from Argentina, and sometimes a few Mexicans join.
All ages and everywhere.
Nah that first point is CRUCIAL. I started coaching high school boys this year, and easily 90% of my team never watch soccer or touch a ball outside of practices and games. And yet they (and their parents) are wanting me to get them to a level where they can get a full ride to some D1 school or something. Crazy.
So true.
That's the cultural part of it. Here in Argentina you'll find in old pubs, older folks who hasn't touch a ball since 1978, that can almost predict the outcome of the game on the TV.. because they watch and talk about fútbol day and night, during their whole lifes. When he's not working, my pather, who's a River fan, can watch fútbol for hours, even if it's a 3thrd division match, or the repetition of a past match.
huh how is that possible
This is perplexing to me too. Maybe it's just the attention issue with sitting down to watch 90 minutes. My son plays for a travel team, doesn't watch full games but he watches highlights. I suppose I could make him watch Liverpool matches with me but I'm glad he watches highlights at least. I coach U-12 boys and most of them do not watch soccer. They don't even play FIFA!
What do you tell the parents? 😂😂
You can't become good at anything if you don't have fun with it first. That's why kids can still learn even with substandard facilities; the fun compensates for any problems you may have. A too structured learning process is counterproductive, and parents overinvolvement on children's fun only reflects parents' emotional deficits. Let them have fun because they're learning; it's a participatory process in which parents can only provide support in the development of a passion. This is what's missing in most of the educational systems in the world.
I think you got it right. I have played in Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Australia. South Americans have the Space-Speed concept developed through unlimited time of watching the game. They consider futbol as a "religion" and Pele, Messi and Maradona are literally idolised.
You have mentioned that the game is more physical, I totally agree with that. Argentinians are definitely more "forward" at the moment to stop an opponent, worth watching some games between Argentina and Brazil from the 90's...
Last point worth mentioning, for many unprivileged kids in South America, football is a way to get out of poverty.
If you wanna see madness at the sides, next time try to check the "papi fútbol" scene in Buenos Aires. Small neighborhood clubs playing something similar to Futsal, where most of our stars emerged from. Parents go crazy there.
Nice video.
Thanks! I’ll check it out.
@@CoachRorySoccer Quick story about the differences on physicality.
The son of someone I know went to River Plate for a tryout. His family is maybe middle/upper class.
Right off the bat he gets tackled by another 11 year old and while still on the ground, the tackler gets to his face and says:
"You do this for fun, I'm here to feed my family. Go home".
@@MarianoRodriguez wow! I believe it.
All good points; none as relevant as kids playing with and against older kids, in rough fields (even on asphalt, when grassy areas are not available), and yes, ALL THE TIME. In Argentina, every family gathering, every birthday or anniversary party, is an opportunity to improvise a game. You don't need fancy football shoes, shin-guards, or perfect nets: you can play shoeless or in flip flops, the goal would be made with a bunch of piled sweatshirts on each side, and the game ends when you absolutely can't see the ball because the night has fallen.
Born in Argentina, my family moved to the States when I was 10. You hit the nail on the head when it comes to "soccer" culture in Argentina. As a kid, I remember countless hours in pick-up games en el "campito". These games would include kids of all ages and skill levels. They would last for hours. You could go home, get some rest come back hours later and there'd still be games going on. No drills, no coaches just the raw fun of playing, with the freedom to create, make mistakes, and learn as you are often going up against older better players.
I never got into soccer here. Instead, my brother and I ended up playing hockey(above amateur ranks). We fell in love with the sport, the physicality/skill/grace. But what struck me was the prohibitive cost of even getting into the sport. The costs associated with ice time and the lack of any grassroots culture or accessibility to pick-up games almost ensured no poor kid could play. Maybe it is different in Canada or up north with their pond hockey culture, but in the southwest ice is hard to come by. As my brother and I rose through the ranks into serious traveling teams etc, the fun/joy of playing and the freedom to create was taken away, and with it the ability for unique skills to develop. I don't know if that's the same with youth soccer, but when you take the fun and the creativity out of any sport you'll end up with a bunch of very well-trained bots. To a certain degree, it's what I see hampering the dev of youth soccer in the states. Soccer in the States needs more "rucker parks"
So so true, well said
Rory: I am Argentine, 68 years old, I really like soccer and I want to transmit to you things that I learned from people who are very studious about Argentine Soccer. The basic rule to understand Argentine soccer is in the culture of the people: soccer is played in a similar way to how they live. First: people are passionate about what they work, do or think politically. Second: When a child is born it is a family matter of which club the child is going to be a fan of (traditionally the same team as the father) and the baby is given a soccer club shirt. Third: the idiosyncrasy of soccer as a game for children is to ridicule their brand with soccer skill, this means passing it with skill, not with speed, but with talent with the ball at their feet. Fourth: demonstrating talent with the ball at your feet is showing hierarchy to vilify your rival. Finally, 40 years ago I read a note from a US researcher regarding Argentine soccer....she mentioned some things that I narrated in this note, but she said that a Pele, a Maradona...can only emerge in countries where soccer is passion and this only happens in Argentina and Brazil. The children who play ball in Argentina play with passion and soccer is everything for them. They dream of being Maradona, not like that in other countries, it is just a recreational activity. In the stands, the fans cheer because they are not overflowing with passion for their team. In general, in the stands of soccer fields in Argentina, although they have seats, the fans watch the game standing without sitting because their passion does not allow them to sit. For them it is not a spectacle, they feel part of the football game and that they participate by encouraging their team without stopping....this encouragement brings down the players and does not allow them to play relaxed...but they do it with passion, like the people in the stands.
Envi
Thank you for sharing!
Everyone in England used to stand, crushed together, for football matches, but then an accident happened where a lot of people got crushed against a fence (our passion meant fans used to rush onto the pitch) so now we all sit.
That is also true.
Que bien explicado!
I was born and grew up in Uruguay.
We used to play every day in school recess, after school with friends on the street or any patch of grass we had (front yard, backyard, etc.)
When we had practice, parents weren't there neither.
They only went to see the official games in the weekends.
Now I live in Hawaii and see that kids only play group sports only if it is organized by somebody, not freely among friends.
I see parents taking their kids to practice and watching them sitting on their little foldable chairs.
For me it is very weird.
I guess that is part of the different culture.
All those observations are correct.
Nice video!
Thanks!
I think it’s a newer thing here in the US….back when I was a kid in the 90’s we played every single day whatever we could…mostly football basketball or hockey on street/local fields. We even made up sports. Now when I go back to the old neighborhood outside of Washington DC I never see kids out there anymore.
My husband from NJ played ice hockey on somebody’s yard , in winter his father would throw water on the driveway and wait for it to freeze and the neighbor boys came over for hours of fun 😊
Nadie te pregunto Yorugua, estan hablando de Argentina
Tomatela de aca yorugua es un video argentino de un gringo casado con un cordobesa hablando de argentina vola de aca.
Hello coach, I am from Argentina. The physical, technical and quick decision making has to do with the "POTRERO" where children of very different ages gather to play, there we learn to play because the situations vary all the time, also the surfaces where we play give us another contact with the ball .
Thank you! Interesting but makes sense.
@@CoachRorySoccer I want to add more context. A lot of these kids comes from "villas" (very, VERY poor neightborhoods) and it's common in villas to play for money. And that money sometimes is the difference to eat or not. And the teams are age mixed, so you can see a 14 yo kid playing with 25 yo men. And those grown men probably have childs to feed, so they're not going to be care to going too much physical against the youngest kids.
Spot on! Potrero games have no coaches or parents telling players what to do, you have to figure it out on your own.
What exactly is "Potrero"?
@@nofurtherwest3474 Potrero it a backyard, or a Park, or an empty field with mud or high grass, a basketball court, wherever you can put 2 tshirts as goals and play soccer 3vs3, 4vs4, 5vs5 etc with or without keeper. Any time, any season, Day or night. With friends or against the rivals of the Block.
I'm glad you touched on the cultural aspect. No Americans want to talk about it, but it's true. As much as soccer has grown in the US, we still don't have the heart for the game like other countries do.
Hola, Hello. My kids just finished their "youth soccer" career in the US where they moved from Venezuela 10 years ago. My experience matches what you have summarized in this video. I would add one particular aspect I noticed: in their former Venezuelan team (which was linked to an AC Milan youth franchise) they were encouraged to play long practices with minimum attention to tactics or field positioning: on the contrary, ball control and dribbling was encouraged so the player learns to play in traffic (there was also a neural-developmental rationale behind it: younger brains are easier to be wired when it comes to motor skills). Then, when they moved to the next age group, they would be introduced to field positioning, tactics, etc. In the US the practices were very well structured and very tactical, but you can tell that in general, the kids were lacking in ball control. Yes, they were excellent athletes (my experience in the Midwest, the matches get as physical as a hockey game) but they couldn't make the ball obey them. This was compounded by the fact that in the US, in general, the kids touch the ball in practice and then during the matches only. In some other countries, the kids play formally or informally every day, multiple times, so by certain age, the number of hours spend with the ball can easily double their American counterparts.
That is very true
Soy Argentino y vivo en USA, creo que hay dos grandes diferencias que cambian todo, el primero y el mas importante es la cultura futbolistica que existe en Argentina éso solo se logra con decadas y decadas de pasión y es algo que salvo Brasil ningún otro pais lo tiene y la segunda diferencia es que la unica manera de llegar a jugar en primera en USA es que te vaya bien en el colegio y entrar por universidades y de esa manera se pierden muchos talentos que quedan en el camino como pasa con el basketball hay muchos cracks jugando en las calles que no llegaron a la NBA por lo ya mencionado. Es mi humilde opinion, muy buen video.!
Te olvidaste de Uruguay
The best way for your US viewers to understand youth futbol here in Argentina is to compare it with mid-1900's baseball in the US, where most kids in farms or small cities would spend several hours a day either studying or working (in farming for example) but every minute they could spare, they would get their gloves and baseballs and just start thrwoing the ball or even playing if they had a friend close by. What would happen is that word would get out (or just by pure luck) and a recruiter would spot a kid that was good and take him to the club to try him. Basically, it is that. The only difference is that we haven't lost that. Kids here do dream about playing in the big clubs and that is actually still possible for many of the good ones. What happens once they get to train with the club for a few months or even a year is another story. They do get it rough. Even if they are the next Messi.
Thanks for the insights!
I'm an Argentinean, I found this video while trying to get good practices for training a youth soccer team, and I have to say that it's pretty spot on. Here, like in other places of Latin America, soccer is a big cultural thing, specially for kids. Now, having said that, I think that kids nowadays play a lot of computer/electronic games more than soccer, even those who may play in a club. I come from a generation that didn't have that, and we would spend most of our free time with friends and neighbors playing some game with the ball that improved soccer skills. Probably, in the same way that happened in the US with basketball.
I think I heard Pablo Aimar talk about this recently in an interview, that the previous generations of players learned to play "free" in the streets/potreros, and they would spend a lot more of their free time playing and polishing skills, than just the training sessions on a soccer club. I would agree, and that's why I think that the next and current generations of players, are not going to be as good as before. Soccer was declining in Argentina before we were world champions in my opinion. I know that this sounds kind of stupid to say, as we won the World Cup, but I think this is a global trend, not just in Argentina. Brazil squad for example, didn't look as strong as before.
Great points
Free flowing sessions foster fun and creativity. It makes you love to play the game.
This is great, and these conversations need to happen so much more. Pay to play is killing youth soccer in places like USA and Australia, as well as unclear pathway for kids. Interesting what you said about the parents at games, that is insightful.
Also, what you said about facilities is so true. I watched video yesterday on a coach in Croatia. At one of their academies, they have 1 pitch to work on from ages 9 through to 19. First team has a grass oval as well. But most of the training sessions the kids are using half a pitch. This is from a country that has 4 million people and made the world cup final in 2018. Amazing the difference culture makes.
Totally agree.
The half pitch is as if they're practicing "futsal" which is a 3~4 smaller field. Good to learn how to work on tight spaces.
@@axellyann5085 correct. It's also because they have no other option at their facility.
US citizen here with 2 adolescent boys that grew up in Argentina and Uruguay. Great video and insights. Some of your observations were spot on, and some were I think skewed by the age of your kids and where they went to the soccer camp. 1) as the kids get older and games get more competitive, parents are absolutely more vocal with their sideline comments and criticism of the refs. The games you saw were also camp vs camp and not part of a regular season, therefore less competitive. 2) Many clubs are still pay to play at younger ages (< U15), but the payments are very affordable and more just to subsidize the costs. This often happens for private (non-league) teams that also help with player development. As an example, we pay perhaps $50-75/month for one player. These payments, obviously, go away if the player is good enough and joins the youth club of a major team. But it’s important to note that it’s not uncommon for major league players to get their start in these smaller, private league youth teams. 3) Soccer is absolutely part of life here. But I don’t think viewers who have not lived in S. America will understand how much so. Birthday gifts are soccer balls and equipment. Soccer is played indoors, outdoors, in every bit of free time, at birthday parties. 2-3, sometimes more games per week. Kids knowing when major league games in their country (as well as the UK, Spain, Italy, etc) are scheduled and making time to watch them. On rainy days and in between real play, playing FIFA with a gaming console and/or games with fantasy leagues. Imagine your child only not thinking about soccer when they are sleeping. 4) because of the points made above, even if some kids might not love soccer, or be that good at it, it’s a social tool to integrate with other kids. So those that don’t play will support their friends. Those that don’t play well will still practice and get good enough to contribute and play with their friends in formal youth league games. Our group of fathers also is very supportive and also will try to play at least one father-son game per year, every year. (Though at U14 now, we only managed a tie this year on a full 11 player field.)
Fantastic points! Thank you!
Que grande! Con la camiseta de Belgrano de Cordoba, club de donde surgió el gran Cuti Romero.
I'm from Argentina and I can attest it's a country where soccer is deeply ingrained in the culture. Growing up, playing soccer was a significant part of my everyday life. I vividly remember the countless hours spent playing with friends, a time filled with joy and camaraderie. It was on those makeshift fields that I first learned to play at the age of six or seven, often practicing alone at home to refine my technique. Soccer wasn't just a sport for me; it was a passion so intense that I always had my ball with me, even during family vacations. Then when I started playing at a club, what they taught and gave me was structure, organization, and tactical knowledge.
Great insight.
Estaba por comentar al respecto, un capo. Alto ingles crack!
Bueno ser de Belgrano imaginate
A mi en México me gustaba tanto el fútbol cuando era niño y adolescente, que los días entre semana previos a los partidos de mi liga amateur del fin de semana, yo me iba a la Cama pensando y soñando como iba a jugar dando pases, quitando balones y metiendo goles.
Futbol is so much a part of our culture that we may play with whatever we find. As a kid I would spend my summer hollidays in the argentine city of San Juan. There I would play with other kids in the neighbourhood. But we played on the sidewalk, without shoes, using an empty plastic bottle as the ball and the goals were marked with our shoes. No bath would later remove the dirt from my feet.
Soccer in Argentina is very easy to play. It is not necessary to have facilities at all. You just need to improvise a playing field in a square, garden of a house or any space where the ball can run. Only one ball is required. If it doesn't exist for money or whatever, you improvise with what you have on hand.
At my primary school we were not allowed to carry a ball. It only existed in gym classes. That's why, during recess, we played with plastic soda lids, Coca Cola cans, or anything that pretended to be a ball.
that´s right, or a ball made of a newspaper with scotch tape
In Brazil (I belieave in Argentina too) we use Futsal to make kids understand space and the importace of movement... I think that experience realy helps when you start to play in a bigger pitch!
YEs you are right, all my childhood I played Futbol sala / futsal in Argentina, that is where I learned most of my footwork as a kid and quick passing, it makes you act quicker under pressure
im from argentina and never knew of the existence of futsal, always plays futbol 5 in fake glass fields (mas o menos creo q le pegue en la gramatica jajjaja)
Futsal it's a thing but not for youths down here in Argentina, unless you are from Buenos Aires City, were they have a lot of places that have the facilities to engage in futsal, the rest of the country plays in potreros for the most part, they are like little patches of land with grass or just dirt and gravel were people set up 1 or 2 goal posts 🥅, those places have no roof and kids play with whatever ball they can get their hands on. The potreros are free, anyone can play. Now there is also neighborhood clubs that do have a small fee, almost every neighborhood have those, potreros are everywhere. As you get older people rent pitches to play, and 5v5 futsal pitches with roofs are sought-after because you can play with bad weather, you can park your car there, you don't need that many people to play and you begin to actually play futsal way later in life than in Brazil, it's my personal favorite. There is more options available in the market too, like 5v5 with artificial grass, 7v7 with artificial grass, natural grass or just dirt, 9v9 pitches and full size pitches for rent too, there is also constantly open tournaments with cash prices year round, they could be short format or long format. I mean there is always an option for everyone out there to play, no matter your budget, your level or your involvement.
You nail it. That’s the real difference. When you learn how to play in a small space you can develop a great technique that will make different whenever you play in a big pitch
@@joshuawalker301 Yo siempre vi en cada plazita una canchita de fútbol 5 y mira que recorri casi todo el pais. Tipica canchita en la plaza, o mismo en el pasto meten dos arcos a medida parecida la de futbol 5. Aunque no sea futsal es prácticamente lo mismo. Muchos chicos juegan asi
Imagine if all of the passion we have for baseball, basketball, and American football were all combined into one sport.
exactly. probably though this is why soccer will never reach the highest levels in the US, we just have too many sports all competiting against each other for time/money of the fans.
Now image the cause of people moving away from Soccer and then moving towards Baseball, Basketball & American Football.
Soccer's "Pay to Play" system. Some people are not able to afford it, particularly the very low income families with kids who are talented. Because of the expensive cost of "Pay to Play" those families & kids are pushed away from Soccer and they'll turn towards other sports in the US, due to them being more affordable & accessible alternatives.
Thank you so much for this! Great video. Speaks volumes about how our adult driven, pay to play system is out of whack.
Unfortunately so true.
I used to take pictures for the youth academy of a team currently in Argentina's first division, and you're absolutely right about parent intensity. What's interesting is that we're probably the most intense crowds when it comes to professional matches, but getting worked up about kids' football is crass. They're supposed to be learning, they'll have enough pressure soon enough if they keep going through the ranks. Even the youth coaches will state that they don't really care about winning cups. Of course they'll be delighted if it comes to that, but the first priority is producing players for the professional team (or for sale). Nobody REALLY cares about a youth championship anyway, and it's not worth sacrificing the physical or mental health of promising young players.
Also, the thing about futbol being omnipresent? 100% correct. It sucks for those of us without any talent or interest for it, but it's definitely a thing.
In Argentina and South America in general, futbol is a passion. That kind of passion for the sport will never exist in the USA no matter how much money you throw at it. Passion for anything leads to excellence.
I don't know about that. I am on long island and my son just started for a brand new Police Athletic League in a very heavy Central and South American area. OMG The amount of the community in the park we are practicing at just playing is crazy. I believe the amount of Immigrants from these areas is why soccer is becoming more popular in the US.
5:57 A secondary purpose of the fee system in uSSoccer is to make the parent/consumer feel invested in the outcome of the match.
"This is not just a game, it's a part of who they are" imposible describirlo mejor ⚽❤
I have lived in Peru and I have traveled the world to Futbol countries like Germany, Italy, France, and England. I actually agree with your assessment of how things are done in the two countries. This is why I take my son to the park and we have free play and pickup games often against older players. My son is still only 6 years old but has been playing U9 Academy and is currently playing against U10 teams in indoor. Free play against other ages is important as they develop better decision making skills and learn to improvise in tough situations.
oh that kid is gonna destroy the other poor kids of his age onces he start playing hahahha
6 is a bit small to play against adults though. my kid is 9 and i take him a bit to adult games, but i think 11 or above is better.
it is also good to let kids play down to lesser kids so that they can get in a lot of reps in low pressure. this way they can do movements that they may not try against older kids.
@nofurtherwest3474 My son does at times play against kids his own age, but it was often not much of a challenge for him. It was one of the reasons I had him tryout for the Academy team at such a young age because when he was playing rec he scored 5 or more goals a game. Plus I was coaching and doing trainings at a facility with kids his own age and much older and he still held his own against the older players. So I will report that he is now going to move up with his team to U10 and had a good season where he still scored goals with both A and B teams in U9. I try to get in as much time as possible at the parks with pick up games and we go to professional games to watch the best of the best. We will be at the Copa America game for Argentina vs Canada coming up.
I used to live in La Plata, every sunday i went to see the games of kids in the 15/16 years old range of the bigs clubs, Estudiantes, Newells, Argentinos Jr, River, Boca etc, you have to see that kind of games next visit, is amazing
Yes already planning my futbol experiences for next visit. Thank you!
@@CoachRorySoccer is great to see futbol soccer growing in th US, i m shure that you will find great talents in the neighborhoods
Great observations coach. I was born in Argentina and have an American dad. I played in both places.
Another aspect that might have been harder to observe over the course of a month is player selection. Compared to the US, athleticism is not emphasized, as the differences tend to diminish over time. Argentina has no U-17 titles but the most U-20 titles.
Great point. Thank you!
Being American with an Argentine mom and playing a lot in the US and a bit in Argentina (going there today actually), this is spot on. In Argentina, I would feel at an athletic advantage sometimes while I was at a huge athletic disadvantage in the US. The us focuses on the wrong thing, which is athleticism, while Argentina focuses on quality knowing you can make any player athletic once they reach their late teens and start to become men. I think if I played my whole life in Argentina rather than the US I would still be playing competitively today as a 19-year-old.
Hola, quiero contar mi experiencia como Argentino, tengo 47 años. En primer lugar muy bueno el video.
La clave para entender el futbol argentino, es lo que ya muchos dijeron, que los chicos (los varones más que nada), nos la pasábamos todo el día jugando a la pelota, en mi caso vivía en un complejo de departamentos que se conectaban entre si en un pequeño parque (o patio) y ahí estabamos todo el día, y si no había nadie con quien jugar, era solo patear contra la pared. Cuando multiplicás esto tenés miles de chicos talentosos. Hoy en día se está perdiendo un poco eso, porque ya no hay tantos lugares libres como antes para jugar gratis y las plazas a veces no tienen el lugar suficiente. Yo Además iba a aprender a Velez Sarsfield y jugabamos torneos recreativos allí, pero la actividad en Vélez era solo 2 veces a la semana, ahí aprendías la técnica. Luego ir a ver a tu club no era algo ocacional, es una religión y si no lo viste en el estadio, lo veías en la tele, en argentina se mira mucho futbol, tenemos el ojo tan entrenado que veías solo pararse a una persona en la cancha y ya te dabas cuenta si era bueno o no. A veces miramos partidos de la MLS y nos llama la atención decisiones que toman, hay ciertas reglas no escritas, ejemplo nunca se rechaza para el medio si sos defensor.
En argentina los adultos siguen jugando al futbol en lo que llamamos futbol 5, las canchas en alquiler están llenas y de gente de todas las edades.
Tengo 51, soy de Rosaro y sigo jugando. Después de la escuela primaria a la mañana TODAS las santas tardes nos juntabamos con los chicos a jugar al fútbol en el parque independencia.Si existe el paraiso debe ser una repetición infinita de esas tardes de alegría y fútbol.
Yo dejé de jugar futbol en la calle a los 12 años. Pero, mientras fui niño mi unico juguete era la pelota, y salia al barrio a jugar al futbol con los niños. A veces salia un vecino mio solo, y yo veia que estaba jugando solo, y salia a jugar un arco a arco con él, y cuando otro vecino veia que eramos 2, salia y jugabamos una marianela, que le deciamos asi a cuando uno va al arco y los demas juegan a meter gol todos contra todos en un solo arco. o el 25. En realidad lo interesante que tiene el futbol cuando sos chiquito son todas las modalidades de futbol que podes jugar con tus amiguitos. Despues a los 11 ya empezabamos a competir con otros barrios. Recuerdo que llegue a ser bastante bueno, pero despues me enganche con el basquet y el voley. Ahora soy un patadura.
@@luquitaz5 Acá en el centro de rosario hay dos parques muy grandes(Urquiza e Independencia) a dónde ibamos a jugar. Eran los tiempos en que los niños podían andar solos por las calles. Ahora para que un pibe haga deporte con regularidad y seguridad hay que llevarlo a club. Lo que vos contás de organizarnos para jugar sin importar cuántos eramos pasaba tal cual, poner las remeras para hacer los arcos, el "pan y queso" que hacian los mejores para eleguir los jugadores, todo eso es parte de la inocencia de la niñez.Para los que tuvimos la suerte de tener una familia que nos crió con amor la niñez es la patria de todos.
El 25! cuando eramos menos 4 salia un 25. Y al que atajaba cuando se metia el gol 25, patada en las nalgas 😂. Pero si era amigo pateabas despacito.
Es increíble pero cierto, cuando decías eso de "en cualquier casa hay una pelotas dando vueltas o simplemente en el suelo". Uno estando acá ni lo percibe, es una obligación tácita la cual se acepta y es lo que nos diferencia. Como sudamericanos, todos somos apasionados por este hermoso deporte pero siento que argentina sobre pasa ese umbral (puede que hable desde la nostalgia y el nacionalismo). Haciendo memoria, recuerdo ir al colegio a las 7:30 am, jugar con una pelotita de tenis o una bolita de cinta en el patio con mí hermano, jugar en los recreos y en gimnasia, en cumpleaños, vacaciones, plazas, días de lluvia, sol, en la calle usando piedras de arco. Pero lo mejor es que uno nunca deja de jugar, ahora de adulto tengo 4 grupos de fútbol, los amigos del barrio, los que nos conocemos de jardin, el fútbol mixto, los del laburo y seguro te invitan a un f5 si falta uno, es un círculo vicioso al que cuesta negarse.
jugar a la pelota en la calle abajo de la lluvia en verano es uno de los recuerdos mas hermosos y preciados de mi infancia. me crie en Avellaneda y ahora vivo en la patagonia. todavia extraño esos veranos. 😄
I am english. I'm 57 now but when I was a kid, I played every second possible. During breaks at school and after school. And also for the school. As an adult I still play every week with friends and I follow premier league football and world competitions such as the world cup euros etc.
I now live in Uruguay, Argentina's neighbour and I play in a group whose members range from 18 to 60. I am the second oldest in the group. We all play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. In terms of technical ability there is a lot of great ball control but (and I think I speak for Argentina too) there is less ability to play as a team. My friends are not great at tactical play or passing. They love to dribble and take long range shots even when there are better options open and I think this plagues the mode of play generally in this region, an emphasis on technical ability but less on team build up. This is why I think the success of teams in this part of the world comes in waves becuase they need an entire squad of talented players, not just good team work. Europe can tend to suffer from the opposite problem.
I work in a Uruguayan school with a tiny playground and every moment of every break the area is full of boys playing football.
I should add that as a school kid I played basketball and was considered a good player, the best in my school and we had a great team. As an adult I worked in an American school where I was invited to play basketball and I was basically rubbish. And this is because basketball is the USA's street game while for soccer nations it is football.
Thank you for sharing!!!
Very good point on comparing basketball as street sport in the USA and men's soccer not.
Tampoco sirve hacer 1300 pases al costado que no llegan a nada,como hizo españa con su "tiki taka" en el ultimo mundial jajajjaa🇦🇷🌟🌟🌟🌎👑
@@nicomtd8975 ya explique eso. Que las selecciones de europa sufren el problema opuesto.
Es verdad que en el futbol rioplante los jugadores habilidosos son bastante egoistas, o como se decia en mi barrio, morfones. preferian errar un gol que pasarsela al compañero. A los habilidosos les gusta hacerse ver pero en general no son buenos jugando en equipo. Nunca me gusto DiMaria justamente por eso. en los ultimos años se volvio mucho mas generoso con la pelota y su juego mejoro tremendamente. En ese sentido Messi es un distinto: un habilidoso que le gusta hacer jugar a sus compañeros. por ese defecto en Argentina faltan buenos numeros 5.
Hi coach, I agree with your points. I don't know too much about US youth soccer, however everything you point out about Argentinian youth soccer is spot on.
One thing I want to point out because you were in Cordoba, Six-a-side youth soccer, called baby futbol. In Buenos Aires there are more than 200 clubs, spanning multiples ages, where almost all the professional players started they career. Riquelme, Sorin, Cambiasso, Gago, Paredes, Redondo all played in Parque, a famous baby futbol club.
I was going to say that! This is huge. I think the 200 figure is too low. I'm originally from Wilde in the south of Buenos Aires and, from the top of my head, I can count 10 or 15 clubs only in my area. These clubs, founded and run by the community, do an incredible job in providing players for the big clubs among other even more important things. Club Parque is famous but there are players emerging from this Social Clubs everywhere. My little club produced the Milito brothers who ended up playing for Independiente and Racing first and then for Barcelona and Inter, one of them winning the champions league.
ua-cam.com/video/Hs0fCn9dl4Q/v-deo.html
Thanks!
Hi Rory, just discovered your channel through this video, it's very interesting. I'm from Argentina, and I want to add something to your final note on the facilities. Much of it depends on the club's economy, which in turn depends on the general economy, which hasn't been good for some time. This means that even within first division clubs there may be disparity in infrastructure, with the biggest having the best training grounds (for youth and senior teams) and the smaller clubs not always being able to upgrade them regularly. Also, clubs here are civil associations, not for profit entities, and they host many sports and social activities bringing local communities together, so even if football is the main activity for the club (both in member interest and in income) they will often have more infrastructure to maintain than just the football pitches. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing a different take on how youth football works here and how it compares to the US, so keep up the good work!
Thank you!!
Now, that you mention it, in Mexico, there is no such thing as professional clubs as you say, even if the official name of the team says CLUB, or AC. They are soccer organizations, for sure, but they are for profit and don't include other sports, and many clubs are sold and purchased or change owners.
Fantastic information for families learning the U.S. soccer landscape and want to give their kids’ passion as many opportunities as possible.
a fellow cordobés here and also a belgrano fan hahaha i happen to stumble at this video and i think it's very intresting to hear the opinion of a foreigner about our football thank you
Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I think i disagree on the parity of technical skills. From the US youth games I've watched, teams are unable to string together more than 2 passes before losing possesion, often times due of poor technical skills. Agree 100% that many other countries have youth who are far more clued into movement and speed of play. I have distinct memories watching a youth game in spain and being blown away by their passing. I hate stopping by a US youth practice and seeing all the kids standing around for 10-15minutes only to do some stupid structed drill that doesn't generate many touches or active movement. One solution ive envisioned is organized pickup play twice a week to fill in the days kids arent with their formal clubs - lots of gameplay, different teammates, different skill levels, good cheap fun and socialization to carry over into their formal clubs/leagues
I believe he said at the highest levels of the game, not on average. Big difference.
The problem is a lot of rec leagues where the parents coach but the parents don't have soccer experience. But kudos to them because its hard to find volunteers.
The way most kids learn how to play is just by going to a park and playing against other older kids. Since older kids will just happen to better, kids look at them and try to imitate their movement, tricks and a specific type of "street touch", a touch which is very foundamental to South American players. In addition, a lot of kids/young teens play futsal where they learn a different type of ball control, flair, reaction time, intuition and pace. Since space is much more reduced and the surface is different, they start picking up different techniques to control which translate into a real pitch. Having a smaller playing area, helps their reaction to be quicker because pressure is continuos, you hear callouts from other players, etc. These essential skills develop into something more structured and technical once they are part of an academy. I think its done inversely in the US, where kids just run around a cone, do some dribbling drills and shoot at an open net but they don't really get to pick up on foundations which are later needed once a kid gets to his teens. I understand that in the US people do it for some sort incentive, everybodys gotta eat, but i think there should more freedom for kids to play and learn.
Buena reaction!! Argentina es un pais puro futbol mucho talento el que mas exporta jugadores en el mundo
Argentinian here. My younger son (8) moves around the house with a small ball on his feet. All the time. Sometimes, when he crosses some other member of the family, a small football exchange occurs. It's amazing to see how fast he has enhanced his ball management and protection (using his body).
Now, when he is in a game, those things happens naturally, and he can concentrate on other - more tactical - things
Well I'm from Cordoba but I've lived in Australia for 50 years. I'm also a fan of Belgrano having lived south of the stadium, when I lived there as a young boy. Thanks for the video.
I love your channel. In response to your comment about parents in Argentina being quiet during games and not being allowed into the facility when session or happening. In response to the first one being a coach and parent, in the U.S. we pay to play. So parents feel as if the son or daughter should be able to give 110% each day. Parents feel like “hey? Im paying for you to play so i need 110% all the time. Not being able to play will relax me and other parents for sure. In response to the second point, parents here in the US want to see the session to see what the coach is teaching to see if it’s worth paying the fees. Plus there are no in closed facilities and if there is mostly academy. The pay to play system trickles down to every negative aspect in each sport here in the USA
Thanks!
Hey! An Argentine here, I liked your analysis of the style of play and tactical qualities because it has been said for a long time that the virtue of the Argentine football player is his technique. That's why I very much agree with you, the technique of the Argentine football player is no longer world-class (mainly due to the lack of physical qualities, which limits technical expression).
However, we still maintain such a strong connection with football that it explains a lot of the high level of footballers we have. I have no doubt that we are the country where culturally we breathe football the most (even more than Brazil or England).
Agreed.
In Spain many kids play on basketball court sized areas with smaller goals and 5 a side teams. The players rotate too so all the kids rotate through the positions.
Great video! I spent a few years living in Argentina and can attest to soccer being a way of life there. There are dirt lots with makeshift goals in every neighborhood and kids just playing constantly. Also another difference is that kids in the US can get college scholarships for soccer whereas that is not part of the pathway there which might explai why parents are more willing to spend on youth soccer with hopes of it paying off someday.
Good point!
Barrio soccer is key: teens and younger kids often playing together. Basketball is the same way in the U.S.
This is a very interesting video, I have 2010 son that plays MLS Next and have seen some players from other ages get picked by MLS first teams and thats very hopeful for us because it takes a big sacrifice for the parents to travel and economically wise but at the end is all for the love of our children and soccer, my son was recently invited to a U.S. soccer boys talent ID . We feel very proud of him ❤⚽️
Ohhh que capo con la camiseta de Belgranooo, de ahí viene el gran Cuti Romero!
Thanks for this video, yeah we really breath futbol here, euros play for the glory, we play for the love and passion of this beautiful sport
Thank you!!
This was super interesting, I'd like to hear more. I've always wondered what other countries do as far as youth development goes.
Great stuff. I love watching the different cultures and approaches. As with everything else, the more we learn from others, the better
💯 thanks!
Great insight into another culture through the youth soccer lens.
You nail it. I'm an Argentinian living in The US since 2001. I played soccer all my life, but when I went to visit my family after long years, it was a shock to experience that physicality again, and most important, space and movement. Looking back at my own playing, I lacked good intruction about space and movement, many times kids are on their own, but breath soccer and that overcomes a lot problems for many.
Es FÚTBOL NO SOCCER PAPAAAA
Start playing on a field with holes , partially grass even with pools of water after the rain ,gives more feeling how the ball behaves, and sharpens your movements and reactions.
Yep.
A child in Argentina can probably watch between 7 and 20 futbol games per week. When we are not playing football we are watching it. And if we are neither watching or playing, we find out news information about the transfer market or watching games that we did not see before.
It`s cultural.
I remember when I played soccer and the annual registration fee cost about 20 dollars. Then 5 dollars a month. Many of my friends' parents couldn't afford it. Then the price was raised from 5 dollars to 7. Or they organized raffles or lotteries along with the sale of meat, sausages and hamburgers so that no child, regardless of their social class, would be left without playing futbol.
It is very common for clubs to have words in their names like: "social and sporting, Justice or youth"
For kids futbol it's a right.
I found this video very insightful, especially as a parent facing challenges with my child's involvement in competitive soccer in the United States. My 9-year-old son excels in soccer, but I am overwhelmed by the club politics and the behavior of other parents. I'm uncertain about the best way to ensure he's in a nurturing environment for the long term. Is it common to interview other clubs or to inquire with our current club about their plans for improvements next year? The prospect of enduring another year of this situation is daunting, and I'm concerned about being committed to a club for an entire year
Yes I would absolutely do your due diligence on picking a club/team. It’s so tough for parents. I’d be happy to help if you wanted to email me directly. coachrorysoccer@gmail.com
Great brief. Argentinian having my brother in LA and visiting several times the U.S. let me tell that is about what you described mostly.
As a kid even on a rainy day we did one hour at least with a tennis ball on the garage.
i’m the opposite of you. i’m from cordoba, married to an american and i play soccer regularly in the states. mind you i’m 45. all of your point are spot on. i’d like to add two big things. one, the lack of tools and facilities to me is actually an advantage. kids in argentina as you probably noticed, don’t play in beautiful groomed grass or perfect arrificial turf. they play in fields with barely any grass on them and in many cases with rocks/holes all over. most people think that’s a disadvantage and it actually helps them develop amazing control on the ball. same with street play. many kids don’t have a perfect ball to play with and sometimes they play with balls that are deflated, or they aren’t even balls. it’s not uncommon to see kids playing with a plastic ball, or a bottle, or a sock full of paper. that creates an environment of great uncertainty for the player and they adapt to it. once those kids play with a real number 5 ball, in a real field with perfect grass, it’s extremely easy for them. you didn’t notice differences in technique but i would argue that you didn’t watch very carefully. there are huge differences in technique and ball control comparing always same ages and obviously talking in general. and the other point is playing time which you made a point about culture. in Argentina, 90% of your friends play soccer and the other 10% play another sport so it’s very easy to play with your friends. on the states, kids have schedules, they have karate, swimming, ice skating, and their life is organized differently. in argentina kids play in the street in their free time, or just hang out with friends, in the US kids are on their phones or in their rooms playing video games online or interacting with their friends on snapchat.. these are very important differences that can’t be overlooked.
Wow! Well i'm 43 so were not too far off. But yes you are opposite married to an American and being from Cordoba. Thank you for the insight and points!
Otra cosa que existe en USA es la OBESIDAD en niños. Eso, en ARGENTINA aún no sucede, debido a la mala situación económica, pero también por la cultura de la Población de hacer deportes o alguna actividad a edades tempranas.
ya 1 año de la gloria eterna, aguante messi y argentina!!!
Awesome video! Im from buenos aires.
We also had many games based on football. Like the "25" or "football tenis". When i was a kid this were the games that we played on the street or elsewhere, and that helps a lot in the control of the Ball.
Nice. Thanks for commenting!
Coach, try to get your team to take part of a tournament in South America, there, if the kids have potential they will get offered a spot in one of the local teams..we had a team from Canada attend the Punta Cup a few years back and a few kids were identified, they got a spot in the academy team of Nacional of Uruguay, some stayed and made it to first division, got sold to other teams, played in Mexico 1st division, made it to MLS, and actually a couple made it to Canada’s National team…all of them said that without the South American Futbol experience they would not have made it…we have to export our youth players to gain the necessary exposure and experience in order to make us competitive at the world stage.
Wow! Email me more.
El fútbol en nuestro pais se da de manera natural donde los niños JUEGAN con sus amigos de bariio dasafiandose con otros del barrio y asi sucesivamente nace la competencia natural y si le sumas que juegan en la calle o plaza o descanpado. Eso hace que seamos unicos junto con Brasil en ser distintos a todo el mundo
Eu sou do brasil e acho isso. O futebol faz parte de nossas vidas desde criancas. Mas me parece que isso esta diminuindo no brasil.
O que vejo inclusive como parte do declinio do brasil nos ultimos anos eh uma queda da cultura do futebol. Obvio que a cultura do futebol ainda eh enorme no brasil, mas me parece um pouco menor do que antes. Posso estar enganado, mas me parece que a cultura do futebol no brasil esta mais fraca que a 30 anos atras. Hoje estou na argentina ja a algumas semanas visitando, e vejo o futebol aqui mais forte do que nunca. Algo que me parece menor no brasil. Claro tambem que ha a vitoria recente da argentina, mas me lembro bem mesmo apos 2002 no brasil nao me parece que foi de grande ajuda.
Seamos? 😂 no tenes cara de ni siquiera saber para una pelota 😂
Hey from Argentina here. One of the last topic you touched, the tactical awareness one, is indeed from our culture. Playing football is more than a sport here and in similar football-crazed countries, it's a way to meet people, share something and even get something if you were born and raised in a poor neighbor, as someone else already said in the comments regarding "villas". Add to that the understanding of football roles is ingrained to everyone from a very young age and you have another huge factor why here we can move up a step and focus on either other aspects of the game or refine what a child already know from their background. Great video and cheers coach!
PS. Something that surprises me a lot is the ban on headers. While I do understand the health side, it sounds like bonkers not to teach them aerial plays until they're on the early teens (I guess?) when that's such an important part of the game, especially for set pieces. If there's some video I could sate my curiosity with in this aspect, I'm all ears.
The headers have to do with concussion concerns. Not sure the data behind it if there is any. Thanks for sharing!
From a small Cordoba town here. I played football here at even lower division club until 21, I can attest that is really tough. We developed a certain physical condition and when you are a defender you can see that even smaller guys know how to use the body to move bigger guys. Nowadays there's better training and better assessments on nutritional issues we didn't have 15 years ago
loco, que buena presentcion!!!Mi hijo de 14 esta como loco metido en "fulvo", y esta dando rapidos pasos de progreso. En el interin, yo no cuajava con el ambiente. me gusta verlo pasarla bien, reise, y es sierto lo que desis, fuera de la cacha hay un tanto de presion competitiva desde los padres. Thanks Cocach! what a way to explain it. Well done. thanks from Ohio.
Goto an indoor place in US. There’s 2 games. On the small field is mostly immigrant types who pass, move and try all sorts of crazy stuff. On the larger field is upper middle class types who physical and fit, run set plays coached by a former baseball player. Coaches controlling the game seems unique to American sports. It seems you noticed that with the Argentine parents.
I am the Rec Director of a Club in Florida. We have just under 1000 players ages 4 thru 19. Our Rec side costs right at $200 for the entire year! Our comp. side costs maybe double that provided they get zero sponsorships. My own personal U13 team secured enough sponsorships in which we ended up paying $0.
I only say that because I've always heard it's free in the "rest of the world". Then when I got asking direct questions to some coaches from Man. United they informed me that "free" really meant a couple of hundred dollars for uniforms and ref fees.
So it is possible to have a successful club in USA for what the rest of the world is calling "free". We do this because all of our Board of Directors and Coaches are all 100% volunteers! We do fall under the FYSA and USYS btw.
Fantastic
Great video..as an argentinian that played there I 100% agreed with you...I would add another difference, those youth academies have at least 3 teams for each age group with at least 25 players and they are moving players from the "1st" to the "3er" team constantly according to their performance every week, this way you put all players at same level of competition. In the other hand, here in USA it is very hard to find academies that do that..."getting married" with players that do no perform like use to do years ago, making harder for the rest of the players.
Great point. Thank you.
Good review on youth Argie Futbol. If I may, clubs are associations in our country. They have a social role trying to keep kids out of the streets. And it’s a way out economically for the few families that make it.
Great point.
Very similar (and not surprisingly) to how youth soccer is approached in Brazil.
Lived in Argentina and Germany had the privilege to play and participate in both cultures. The gemans are a pass culture and very technical. Argentinian are passionate and take the shot culture.
Thanks for sharing!
Im Argentinian but i live in England (for the last 20 years or so , my kid was born here too). I agree that for us football is a constant thing (even tho it wasn't my main sport) i was juggling the ball all day as a kid , playing outside,inside, at school everywhere . I played basketball at a good level and we would warm up by sometimes playing football. In England i see this quite a lot as well , for example I've literally just dropped my kid to nursery , it's misty and cold outside , but kids were playing football on the parks (at 08am before school) , so kids are quite invested here and it is a cultural thing . But at home (argentina) it's at a different level it's not even a thing you think about anymore , you just do it.
comebol y uefa
You should come to Germany once. 😊 when I was young - now I’m in the mid 50s - I used to play soccer as well all day long. As often as possible. Club membership is less than 100€ per year, so basically you only need your own shoes and training sportswear.
In Germany parents voluntarily support the club and of course us youth coaches we do that as well for free.
My grandmother was born in Stuttgart. Definitely want to come to Germany. Planning Barcelona in March perhaps.
@@CoachRorySoccerfunny. I’m from Stuttgart 😊
Peruvian here living in the US for a long time, I played soccer in the streets where there are no rules (or sometimes in very heated local leagues), your game speaks for you and your willingness to stand your ground. Going to a soccer plex or to an academy was a luxury completely inimaginable back in my day (heck, there were none, but nowadays there are soccer camps managed by former soccer players in the old country. I still play at my age and playing better than ever, is like my skills get more honed as I get older.
Although the US has made a lot of progress from the early MLS days (back in 1996 where the level was very amateur to say the least), I still see the lack of that little "something" in some players, it is hard to define but I would say is the instincts and awareness that only pure street soccer gives you. Granted, here in the US we have a great athletic base and that helps tremendously but because the great majority are the product of soccer camps, soccerplexes, youth coaches which is well structured, the street factor (or potrero as is known in Argentina) is not quite there yet, and that makes a difference when playing against South Americans or some Europeans. Nevertheless, I am confident the USMNT system will eventually develop more world class players in the near future.
I imagine the fencing at the game is there for multiple reasons, but I wonder just how much that contributes to the psyche of the parents -- acting as a literal and figurative barrier between them and the team.
Im guatemalean
this country is poor and forgotten by god
but we do love and enjoy futbol
I played it since very little even i´m not good at it :D
thats ok, as long as you pass along your love of the game to your kids!
@@r2dad282 its ok to like football even if one is not good at it? 😂
ok, but no kids, thanks
@belzieatriz No worries, I was not good as a player, but was able to referee when my kids were playing growing up. my son's coach was Guatemalan, and while he wasn't a great coach he loved the game and did what he could to help the kids.
You have summarized what soccer is in my country, good video and that it is a way of life, probably the first toy we have in our life is a soccer ball
Thank you!
Howdy, coach, an Argie here of Irish descent living in Cordoba city and a Belgrano team fan ! So it was nice to watch you wearing our beloved Light Blue jersey ! Mighty interesting vid. Best wishes and stay well.
Thank you!!
Nice insight! A cultural thing of ours Is that we are taught from childhood to control our 'passion' and when release it. That Is why we can use a high passionate amount of energy and not be especially agresive.
Yeah, you are right on the mark. I will also add the fact that might have been overseen, and that is the fact that having kids play all day, anywhere really, helps a lot with the tactical part, so you can focus on other stuff faster. In the US you have a standardized time to play, and you have to use it to polish players, shooting, passing, positioning, receiving, etc... in Argentina most kids will know these things by the time they are 12 already, and they can improve it, but on average, they are already better than American kids at that age from the simple fact thay they are always running around with a soccer ball on their feet.
100%
Glad you had a nice experience here, happy to have you, Coach. I think that you will find very interesting any interview you can find on Pablo Aimar, former Argentina star player and now part of the National Team coach staff (like a Coach Beard to Coach Lasso 😅). He also coaches the U20 Team, and he’s very clear and great to listen to. Hope this helps.
Thank you! Will look for those.
Hi, Belgrano is a somewhat poor club from first division, but managed to make players like "cuti"romero, a world champion.
in the richest clubs the level of infrastructure is higher.
and the parents, well, lets say u had a GOOD experience lol, we are passionate and sometimes violent with futbol
i liked your video, nice work
Thanks!
Great review. I'm from Argentina and moved to LA 8 years ago.
Of course, soccer is a lifestyle in Argentina. As a kid/young adult, I used to play literally every day on any little piece of grass we had.
I never went to any club or anything; it was just my group of friends getting together on the street and inviting “the owner of the ball” to come. Lol!
That’s what coaches in Arg don’t want to lose by giving too much technicalities to the kids.
In the US, It’s hard to get that level of passion when the sport is not as well known as basketball or football.
So I think the organization and a good team structure (i.e. budget, fields, coaches, etc) to support the kids that like to play is an asset in this country.
I enjoyed your review! Thanks!
I hope you enjoyed some good Fernet in Cordoba!
Argentina youth players have the attitude of an Alpha Male, if you not have that you never be great, thats why you notice the expression and aggression of his bodies and the knowledge of the field and position all this combined with passion, fun and repect for his team mates, create uniques and sensationals football players.
Good to have an outside perspective to our youth system. In my opinion , is the best we have in the country
I loved my time in Argentina!
What’s up coach! Played on both sides of the spectrum here. Very unbiased video, appreciate you for that.
Scaloni!
Last time I heard and I totally agree that soccer is seen as a spectacle more than a sport, that's why ticket sales go down when messi doesn't play or are returned when he is not on the field.
😂
Hi coach!
Great video! I'm from Argentina but have been living in Ireland for 8 years now.
I was working as a coach until recently and fully agree with you on the physical and tactical aspects. I feel like the players here in Ireland (and I guess the same in the US) are a bit naive comparing to Argentineans, my guess is that is purely because of the play time. Only 2/3 hours a week training sessions compared to growing up playing the whole day, sometimes with older siblings or cousins who would beat you or try to take advantage.
Again, great video and now subcribed 😃
Thank you!
Really interesting video. But, what I loved the most was your Spaceballs face mask! So cool!!! hehehhe
Ludicrous speed!
Thanks, excelent video. I am from Argentina. Football is part of the culture like you said. I am 30 years old, and most people in that age or even 40 years old play regulary with friends once at week in a small field 5 vs 5.
So your son or the kids watch how important it sport is because adult play it a lot.
And that also true in video games. most people have a play station just for play football in it.
If you want to see the real Argentinian youth football experience you need to go to a potrerillo, yeah, some kids start in clubs like that but messi, dimaria, maradona, all started on their neighbourhood Potrerillo
Excellent presentation. The pathway for great success are truly missed or mislead, never given an opportunity to be scouted, financial becomes an issue.
Only if America played more pickup games on streets or the local parks. The outcome will be different.
Thanks!
7:40 If they have good facilities in junior divisions and they don't adapt to playing on deplorable grounds, what happens when they become adults and have to play on bad grounds? The South American football player has to get used to playing on all terrains and especially on bad ones. That prepares them better than the European.
As a child growing up in Haiti. I was a big fan of the Argentina NT. I always liked the aggression in their game. This was something very special and unique to Argentina. I always wondered how they could just run non-stop like that to get the ball compared to other teams. Uruguay is the only team that even come close.
Can you please shed some light to that? Can you tell us why?
Btw, you look like Scaloni.
Thanks! I get that a lot😂
You also look like the actor Luke Wilson, brother if Owen Wilson, and other brother.
I think the main thing that is different to other places over here is how natural it comes to play. I don't mean it in the talent side of things (though I could make an argument about it, lol) but how natural it just comes to say "hey, let's play some ball". This doesn't need to be structured or a match, just a kickabout with some friends from a very early age. I remember having friends visiting as a kid, not older than 5, and we would immediatly go into the street and just pass the ball around and pretend the trees were our goals. And if it was raining too much to stay outside, which sometimes wouldn't stop us, we sould just move the chairs around and pass the ball under the table
💯