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Brazilian Soccer –
The secrets of success
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With all the recent excitement surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Brazil from June 12-July 14, 2014, reflecting back on the tournament at one month after the final seemed like a prudent time to do some research into the host country. In this article, we will briefly discuss Brazilian soccer history and culture, before taking a more in-depth look at the youth development systems, as well as their theory and methodology of training. All of which, despite their semi-final route at the hands of Germany, have made Brasil the most successful soccer nation in the world.
The Brazil Men’s National Soccer (also known as football) team, has been part of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) since 1923. They are the most successful national football team in the history of the FIFA World Cup having won 5 championship titles in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and in 2002. They are also the only national team to have qualified for every World Cup. This past FIFA Confederation Cup of 2013, Brazil took home the title of champions by defeating last year’s World Cup Champions team Spain. As a country, Brazil has the highest average Football ELO ranking in the world, and has also won the most world titles, which speaks to a rich history of player quality and development.
Without question, Soccer is the most popular sport in Brazil. The warm weather and climate make the game playable year-round, and the sport has become an integral part of the Brazilian culture. No matter where you live in Brazil; on the shore, the beach, in the big cities or on the street, people are playing soccer, with or without a ball. There are over 400 professional clubs and thousands of amateur clubs, making it very hard not to find a place to play the beautiful game in Brazil.
Historically, the main focus of Brazilian soccer is quick touches, remaining focused without the ball at the feet, as well as the use of open space. The major goal of the Futebol Brazil System method (theory and methodology used by the National team and youth teams, and taught in the Brasilian coaching schools) is creating new experiences and environments where players learn how to be comfortable with the ball, make good decisions before receiving the ball and create situations unexpected by the opposing teams (Futebol Brazil System). Their methodology has the global training aim of applying specific techniques, formations and variations of specific situations in the game. For example, players must be equally comfortable in variations of the game from 1v1, small-sided games, and all the way up to 11v11 full-field games (Futebol Brazil System).
The Brazilian Soccer Roots, an organization created by the Futebol Brazil System to further develop Brazilian talented youth players, has the goal of increasing speed of thought and speed of improvisation. They achieve this aim through incorporating some of the following training/playing methods: Street Soccer, which produces the most creative players with the skills, agility and improvisation necessary to be unique; Beach Soccer, which has the irregularity of the soft-sand leading to a style where players must improvise and may shoot from anywhere during a match; and Five-A-Side games (now known as ‘Futebol de Salão’ or ‘Futsal’), where the aim is to develop speed of thought, fast touches, footwork and ball control. According to a recent research study observing movement patterns in youth elite Brazilian soccer players, the data suggest that earlier development, physical training and tactical organization in the young soccer player leads to a high level of energy during competition (Pereira da Silva, Kirkendall, Leite De Barros Neto, 2007).
There are a number of Brazilian Soccer Schools located throughout the country, that young talented players can attend to increase their performance and skills of the game. The Brazilian Football Academy is their most intense training program. It runs from 15-20 weeks long with 2-3 training sessions of about 90-120 minutes each, depending on the age and ability of the young players. The players have many touches on the ball during a session as well as the quality of the drills and games mostly always see rapid improvements in the player’s technical soccer skill level (Brazilian Soccer Schools). The sessions typically start with a light warm-up and stretches, followed by teaching the core skills before teaching any of the Brazilian signature moves. Each players has the ball to themselves pushing against an individual target. The second section of the session breaks down moves into individual segments, getting the kids to work in pairs to increase the intensity. At the end, players get to try out the skill in a match setting, followed by a cool down, as well as discussing what was just learned and what needs to be completed as homework at home.
Brazilian Soccer Schools are located in the Central Coast, Northern Beaches, Perth North, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne North and Barker Holiday. The training philosophy of the schools is for players to become technically competent with the ball, training a couple of hours a day and an hour at home on their own. The emphasis is placed on the individual progression and learning experience as opposed to a team methodology. A smaller, heavily weighted ball is used in younger individuals. As players grow older, there is still much more technical development, but a greater emphasis is placed on physical training, game play and tactical training. Soccer is one of the few sports that do not have any obvious physical or physiological variables that are important to be successful. Therefore, players are observed and assessed based on their consistency of play during matches, the numbers they put up on the board as well as their leadership and control of the game.
In discussing the effects and benefits of Brazilian football and its development programs, ‘Futebol de Salão’, or ‘Futsal’, deserves some special attention. Eight years ago, Simon Clifford, an English football coach, founded the International Confederation of Futebol de Salão to introduce soccer and the training program to children around the world. It was first set up in Brazilian Football Academies and Soccer Schools in the UK, and now can be seen around the world. ‘Futebol de Salão’ is a 5-sided version of football played with a size 2 ball weighing 465g with no bounce. Virtually all the well-known Brazilian players, including Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, and Neymar, among hundreds of others, started out with this type of practice before moving onto conventional football.
Many research studies have been conducted to investigate this type of football match vs other types of soccer training. It is noted that Futebol de Salão appears to offer more exciting potential for improving performance. For young players, the game features more successful passes, controls, fakes, feints, dribbles and runs, consequently leading to more goals, than traditional 11-a-side football. This provides players with greater opportunity to perform basic football techniques more frequently, which over time will improve their skill development.
A recent study comparing training sessions at Brazilian Soccer School vs Professional football club Academies found that the percentage of time the players were engaged in “on-task” activities (defined as activities where players were “visually attentive and mentally focused”) was 16% for Pro Clubs vs. 53% in Brazilian Soccer Schools. During the “on-task time”, 33% of the Pro Clubs’ players were undertaking “motor appropriate activities” (defined as activities in which “major muscle groups and motor patterns were recruited”) vs 92% of athletes attending Brazilian Soccer Schools. This data serves to reinforce the point that players’ individual football development is likely higher in Brazil than in other countries.
All in all, Brazil’s unique combination of football culture, population, economy, weather, and of course training mythology and youth development programs, serve to create strong opportunities for young talented players to develop. Brazil’s history of success at the highest level will allow them to continue to be one of the favorites in all upcoming international competitions, as many will continue to look them for displaying some of the world's best players.
Samantha Pereira Da Silva is Brasilian-Canadian student, presently in the 3rd year of a 4-year Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Guelph-Humber, in Toronto. Samantha recently completed a 4-month off-campus internship program with Soccer Fitness Inc.
Richard Bucciarelli is the President of Soccer Fitness Inc., a soccer-specific strength and conditioning company located in Toronto. He recently spent 2 weeks in Brazil, attending the FIFA World Cup, and meeting with professional soccer coaches in Rio De Janeiro.
For more information about Richard and Soccer Fitness, please visit www.soccerfitnessgols.com
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