HOW DO YOU ASSESS YOUR TEAM SUPERIORITY OVER OPPONENTS?

Coaches in any sport constantly are looking for objective data available to assess their own TEAM superiority. The data available to can be an ongoing process and a valuable tool in team building. An objective analysis can measure the success of your team in the phase of play.

On competitive soccer teams, there are two types of superiority:

SOCIO-AFFECTIVE SUPEROIRITY - This term refers to how players within the team feel about each other. For example, several soccer research studies support that close friends within one team pass or share the ball more often than with players who are new to the game in the phase of play. Teams with this form of superiority have a close, cohesive, and mutual commitment for each other. Players tend to shower with positive support for others in adverse and pressure situations and complement each other in the arena of high-stake competition. A good example of this can be senior players in varsity squad bringing along freshman players to ease up and build their confidence during the match. In the nutshell, the term "chemistry" applies with the socio-affective component. With good teams, coaches hold players accountable, while great teams' players hold players accountable. In other words, commitment to win for each other is one remarkable attribute with this form of superiority.

DYNAMIC SUPERI0RITY - This term refers to the overall team movement between players. I used to have a phrase often repeated in training: " WHEN THE BALL IS MOVING YOUR TEAM IS MOVING". Modern soccer demands player movements in the phase of play. The indelible control of players is manifested in fluid, strong, and precise physical play to properly execute all core techniques for selected plays. The teams with dynamic superiority tend to be connected, inter change positions and know the demands of the role coaches look for in competitive playing environment.

In summary, coaches and players can collaborate on the team identity using the two forms of superiority when it comes to performance excellence in the arena of competition.