Have you ever felt frustrated while watching your child’s club match on a Saturday morning? “They handle the ball so well in training, but they can’t seem to show it during the game…”
This is a common wall that many young players face: having high individual skills but struggling to apply them when it matters most.
Learning from Japan: The Trap of “Repetitive Training”
Having been involved in football in both Japan and New Zealand, I’ve seen a specific trend. Players raised in Japanese academies often possess world-class ball-handling skills. However, many of them struggle to use those skills effectively in a match.
I have seen many “technically gifted” players in Japan who:
- Showcase incredible flair while juggling.
- Perform a variety of fancy feints during dribbling drills.
But I have seen just as many of those players disappear once the game starts.
The reason is clear: They practice “Technique” in isolation from “Decision-Making.” Dribbling through cones or practicing accurate passes without an opponent are drills with “pre-determined answers.” However, a club match in NZ is a dynamic, high-intensity environment where opponents close you down at high speed.
Repetitive training without the judgment of “When, Where, and Why” to use a skill leaves the brain unable to react instantly under pressure. The skills you’ve polished become “wasted treasure” on the pitch.
Glocal’s “Realistic Environment” for NZ Players
At Glocal Football Coaching, we design our sessions to ensure players stay calm and effective even under the intense pressure of New Zealand football. Our training always integrates the following three-step process:
- Perception : Correctly seeing the opponent’s position, teammates’ movement, and available space.
- Decision : Choosing the best play based on the information gathered.
- Execution : Performing the chosen play with precise technique.
While many schools focus only on step 3 (Execution/Technique), Glocal constantly creates situations with opponents that force players to make decisions.
By intentionally setting the training to be “slightly difficult,” we build the “match-ready brain” that functions under pressure. This is what becomes a “real weapon” to help your child during their Saturday club games.
Maximizing Your Performance at Your Club
Learning to juggle a ball 100 times is a wonderful achievement. However, Glocal aims for what lies beyond that. We want to develop players who can think for themselves: “The opponent is coming from here, so I’ll take my first touch there to catch them off-balance.”
When technique and decision-making are directly linked, football becomes more free and much more fun.
If you are concerned that your child is “great in practice but struggles in club matches,” we invite you to experience a Glocal session.
The new insights gained from our small-group, detail-oriented coaching will lead to a massive transformation on the pitch during the weekend.
Change the “Quality of Decision-Making” and accelerate your performance at your club.
👇 Click here for trial session details:https://www.glocal-football.com/sign-up/
