The idea behind developing players using a 'first principle' development model, is that if a player has a strong grasp of the 'first principles when playing' then they can take these into any moment of the game and do well, and can take this ability to help develop a more team and result orientation way of approaching the game.

But what are First Principles of technical play?

 

First principles can initially be narrowed down to the following:

• The ability to recoginse the pressure problem that is occuring. [Pressure problems are covered in detail in the web-book series].
• The ability to recognise the possible implications of an action.
• The ability to react both intelligently and technically to a problem, to ensure that the postion of the ball is improved. 

The above can apply when a player is 'on the ball' or 'off the ball', when a team is in or out of possession and it removes the need to make the distinction between whether a problem is in a 'first touch moment', or during a 'ball moving moment'.

 

In other words, First Principles simply address this issue of being under pressure and are used when playing

to manipulate time and space to improve the position of the ball.

Where improving the position of the ball means the following:

• Can you pass the ball to someone with more time and /or space than you (or who is under less pressure than you)as this would improve the position of the ball, however an even better way to improve the position of the ball would work through these questions:
• Can you pass the ball to a player in a more progressive position than you (further forward, nearer the goal) without forcing the pass and losing position.

 

The problem however,  is that players are mostly asked to play with a result orientation mindset from a young age, even though they do not have the underlying foundation of good first principles to maxminse the effectiveness of their ability (their ability to manipuate time and space at an individual level) to impact the game, both as an individual and as a team player in a techncial way. So sadly, technicality is put to the side, while physicality wins games.

 

The development and nurturing of First Principles of play is critical when young, and if this isn't done under the guidance of a team coach, the parents and players need to take care of this themselves.

 

 

 

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