Thursday, 26 March 2015

DFB - Youth Development | Football | German football youth development | German grassroots football



first seen on scoutedfootball.com 
Introduction

            This site has featured many players that have been developed in Germany. From Max Meyer, to Timo Horn, Timo Werner or André Hahn. Hence, it may be beneficial, to not only look at those players on their own, but rather at the background they all share. They all have been part of modern and extensive youth development program in Germany. Admittedly, some less, others from the beginning of their footballing career. This feature will introduce said program to you, the key components and why it produces top talent after top talent.  Depending on where you are from, you may see stark differences - or similarities - to the youth development of your own country. 

Before going into detail, the German system is essentially based on a change in mindset and three components. After disappointing results around the year 2000, the German football association realised German virtues alone would no longer suffice to beat the best nations. A more technical and tactical approach had to be introduced, which over the years resulted in the players that can be seen as a benchmark today; for example Reus, Götze or Kroos. With regard to the components, the first would be high-level-coaching. The second component would be the introduction of competitive leagues, with champions and relegation from the under 12 level onwards. The third and final aspect would be the introduction of under 23 teams, B-teams or (II teams, as they are called in Germany) into the league system.

When talking about the German system, we would usually include young players from the age of 11 until the time they make the first team. At the age of 11, certain forms of special training would become available to you for the first time outside of the academy system. The age of 11 also marks a point when the player is not too young to receive additional coaching, yet also not too far advanced in his development for that training to be in vain. Seeing how the age of 14 is usually seen as the end stage of the technical development of a player, it leaves ample time to improve a particular player in that department. Stage 2, age 14-16/17 and stage 3, from 16/17 onwards would involve the improvement of the physical and tactical attributes, respectively. 

Coaching

Generally speaking, the German system can best be summed up in two words: proficiency and accessibility. Proficiency firstly, with regard to the qualifications of the coaches. Players cannot be development into top professionals unless the right coaching is provided. In order to ensure the required standard of coaching, only coaches with at least an UEFA B-licence (now fittingly renamed to, DFB elite youth licence), are put in charge of coaching. The second one, accessibility, refers to two aspects. On the one hand, it can be taken quite literally. Throughout Germany, there are enough training bases, no player has to move too far only to take part. On the other hand, it refers to the entrance level. You do not have to be a super talent or part of Bayern Munich's academy, to be invited to the first level of additional coaching - to the DFB bases. The mantra here is, every talented player should have the opportunity, outside of his own club, to take part in more advanced and professional training.

At the moment, there are 366 of those DFB bases throughout Germany. Once again, pointing to the aspect of accessibility. Here, mostly 11 to 14 year old players, as mentioned, have the opportunity to receive professional coaching - usually once a week. While these bases do not feature the best of the best yet, they are an important part of the foundation. From 2002/3 onwards, the German football association started implementing football bases, all over the country, with the aim to allow every player access to the best coaching. Not every player in that age group is fortunate enough to play in an academy of a professional club. Hence, if he is good enough, he will be allowed to train at such a DFB base. The main idea is to ensure that players that up to that point, had not yet been scouted by professional clubs, are still able to improve and become the best player they can be. Currently, around 1000 people are employed in the areas of coaching and the examination of players to ensure best possible conditions for the players. These bases raise the general standard of quality outside of the academies, and maintain a more realistic approach. Especially in that 11-14 age group, good coaching can be vital, yet not everyone has access to it and subsequently, any chance of moving to a bigger club might vanish without that extra training. On a more personal note, having been part of that program myself, I can only emphasise how great of an experience it was; being able to train in a group full of quality players and under professional guidance - even if it is just once a week. 

DFB bases throughout Germany

The next two layers would be the elite schools, which usually go hand in hand and in cooperation with an existing academy. The schools would look after the education as well as the football aspect, while academies are primarily interested in developing the player. Those two forms essentially represent the next step in the development of a player that is already good enough and does not rely on coaching of the DFB bases anymore. According to the Bundesliga licensing agreement, every Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga club has to have an academy in order to develop young players. 

elite schools             ------             academies
                                          
Competition

As mentioned, providing competition, including titles and relegation, is seen as a major part of development as well. Starting at the under 12 level, these league are introduced. It is about competing against others when it matters. While individual improvement and excellent coaching are the basis, early competition to create a winning mentality as well as motivation to continue to improve are of importance as well. This level of competition continues onwards to the first team. For the under 17 and under 19 players there are also special Bundesliga formats. Divided into three regional groups (South/South-West, North/North-East and West), teams play a standard season modus and in the end, the three champions and the 2nd placed from the best region (according to a complex table), advance to the semi-finals. However, this is fairly standard and can be found in most countries to a similar extent. There is a national cup as well, similarly to the FA Youth Cup. Again, fairly standard. 

B-Teams 

The most drastic difference comes  in the adult stages, with the introduction of B-teams, or 'II teams', into the league system. These teams are under 23 teams, plus up to three over 23 year olds. For instance, Dortmund's II team is currently playing in the 3rd league while Bayern's II team is part of the Regionalliga Bayern (4th division). All in all, a concept similar to Spain's, where B sides are even allowed to play in Segunda División, but completely different to the British approach, for instance. The B-teams provide an excellent stepping stones for players that on the one hand, are too good, or old, for youth football, but are not yet ready for first team football. In the English system, this is usually bypassed by dozens of loans per club - which varying success. While B-teams may play in lower divisions, consistency can be achieved. Those teams usually play the same football as the first team and players can be sure of game time. Not something that can be confirmed with loans. B-teams provide a regular schedule and an opportunity to compete with physically stronger players.

Interestingly, the regulations regarding B-teams have changed recently. For years, B-teams used to be the norm and compulsory. Not having them could have resulted in fines or even point deduction. Starting with the 2014/15 season, this has changed. Clubs are now free to decide whether they want to have a B-team or not. Several clubs, like Bayer 04 Leverkusen or Eintracht Frankfurt made use of that right and no longer have an active under 23 side. Arguments pro and against this change can definitely be gathered. It could be said that players are getting ready for first team football earlier. Clubs may argue that their most promising players are ready for first team action when they would still be allowed to play youth football; players that need longer could be deemed not good enough - making the B-team obsolete. And certain players could still be loaned out, but a club would not have to have a special team just for them. The other side could be understood as well. Jürgen Klopp or Armin Veh for instance, criticised the decision heavily; the former claimed a large number of players would not play in the league without B-teams and Veh added that these teams would provide extra and early competition for very young and talented players. It has to be mentioned though that both, Klopp and Veh, are coaches of clubs where the B-team plays in the 3rd league (the only other one is Mainz 05). Meaning those two play in a professional league whereas any other B-team does not. Had Leverkusen or Frankfurt played in that league as well, their decision might have been different. 

With regard to Klopp's statement that loads of player might not be where they are without B-team experience, it can be said that he is right. Surprisingly many, have played huge number of games at that level. For instance, when looking at the World Cup winning German squad, most of the big players, like Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Müller, Neuer or Klose, spent a full season or two in their respective B teams. Others, like Boateng, Mertesacker, Höwedes or Khedira got roughly half to a full season. Only special players like Götze, Özil or Schürrle, who are also part of the 'ready early generation', went straight into the Bundesliga squad - for obvious reasons you might say - but they are the exception to the rule.

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