John Allpress: what does it mean to be an 'elite' youth player developer?

Coach | Approach | John Allpress | 23.02.2023

Former English FA national player development coach, John Allpress, reflects on the skills and characteristics of the best elite youth player developers he has worked with Image: Getty Images /Getty Images Sport

Learning:

- what are the skills, knowledge and characteristics of the best youth player developers

- what do the 'best' do that others don't

- how can coaches develop these skills

There are only a few truly elite environments in sport and there is a big difference between being elite and elitist. Elitist cultures tend to be exclusive just with room for the chosen few. Elite does not mean exclude, and elite behaviours and standards can be modelled and applied regardless of the level, or age range, a coach is working with.

The best player developers know this and are not beguiled by results, or flat track bullies. They know the difference between performance and potential. The combination of the developer’s eye and the hard metrics over time can maximise their chances of making a star pick.

Although they teach to the top, the best player developers are non-judgemental, not dismissing people before giving them a try, knowing groups are fluid and the top spots are liable to change. Some players just need the opportunity and time to show what they can do.