In his latest column exclusive to collingwoodfc.com.au, Harry O'Brien talks to Collingwood Development and Academy Manager Alan Richardson about the importance of player development and how potential is not always the key to making it at the elite level.
With the current on-field success at Collingwood, one thing that tends to be focused on by the media is the fast-tracked development of the younger players.
What is often overlooked is that development is not only for the younger player and that an AFL footballer does not stop developing until he finishes his career.
There is no doubt that the younger players who have come into the side have made an impact, however, it is those familiar faces that we see who have evolved and/or taken their game to new level.
Collingwood’s training and coaching is all based and revolved around facilitating an environment in which all players can develop their game.
Methods in which a player develops his game at Collingwood are through video analysis, specific skill training, strength and resistance training.
Video analysis is broken into divisions with each coach working on his specific field of expertise. Every scenario imaginable is covered and discussed so that the player is able to identify what his role is in any given time.
Main training sessions are split up and designed to facilitate an understanding of the game plan. The sessions are also broken up specifically to ensure that the focus is on what the player needs to improve his game. For example it would be silly to have Paul Medhurst working on his defensive starting points. This is why the team splits up into specific groups.
At Collingwood there is also great emphasis on the development of younger players. The Collingwood academy is a development program created to fast-track the development of the first to third year players
I recently caught with Collinwood’s academy coach Alan Richardson to talk about the academy program and his philosophies on development.
Richardson said that development at Collingwood ensures that any player we brought into the organisation reaches his full potential.
“Younger blokes brought into the side are having greater impact than what is traditionally the case,” Richardson said.
The main aim of the academy is to try and demand excellence and improvement so that the players can be as good as they can as quick as they can.
Richardson also explains that development is not only for those from first to third years because the game is always changing and an older player must find new ways, build up strengths and improve deficiencies if he is to have a long career.
“There is no ‘development age’. Traditionally football clubs have had the mentality that players reach a certain point in development,” Richardson added.
He uses Nathan Buckley as one player who continues to develop even in his older age.
“Bucks is always looking to develop his game, whether it is on playing his role with the game plan to improve his first touch, this is why he has been such a great player for so long.”
When asked to give advice in regards to development to those many kids who have aspirations to playing AFL at the highest level Richardson said: “Touch the ball as much as you can. Always have it in your hands. Always ask your coaches on how you can improve your game and arrange times to meet them outside of what you already are doing at training.”
Collingwood’s move to the Lexus Centre about three years ago generated a lot of hysteria, but now we are starting to see an increased number of players young and old being able maximise their potential through a combination of attitude and the best resources available at their disposal.
As the national under 18’s carnival is coming to a close there is a lot of hype and excitement on potential. Some players do not get drafted because they are not identified as someone who has the potential to develop into an AFL player.
Every player develops at different rate. Some have more potential then others, however potential counts for nothing unless you are prepared and willing to put the work in to develop your game.
Collingwood has a structure in place which makes it possible for all of it players to get the best out of themselves.
With the current on-field success at Collingwood, one thing that tends to be focused on by the media is the fast-tracked development of the younger players.
What is often overlooked is that development is not only for the younger player and that an AFL footballer does not stop developing until he finishes his career.
There is no doubt that the younger players who have come into the side have made an impact, however, it is those familiar faces that we see who have evolved and/or taken their game to new level.
Collingwood’s training and coaching is all based and revolved around facilitating an environment in which all players can develop their game.
Methods in which a player develops his game at Collingwood are through video analysis, specific skill training, strength and resistance training.
Video analysis is broken into divisions with each coach working on his specific field of expertise. Every scenario imaginable is covered and discussed so that the player is able to identify what his role is in any given time.
Main training sessions are split up and designed to facilitate an understanding of the game plan. The sessions are also broken up specifically to ensure that the focus is on what the player needs to improve his game. For example it would be silly to have Paul Medhurst working on his defensive starting points. This is why the team splits up into specific groups.
At Collingwood there is also great emphasis on the development of younger players. The Collingwood academy is a development program created to fast-track the development of the first to third year players
I recently caught with Collinwood’s academy coach Alan Richardson to talk about the academy program and his philosophies on development.
Richardson said that development at Collingwood ensures that any player we brought into the organisation reaches his full potential.
“Younger blokes brought into the side are having greater impact than what is traditionally the case,” Richardson said.
The main aim of the academy is to try and demand excellence and improvement so that the players can be as good as they can as quick as they can.
Richardson also explains that development is not only for those from first to third years because the game is always changing and an older player must find new ways, build up strengths and improve deficiencies if he is to have a long career.
“There is no ‘development age’. Traditionally football clubs have had the mentality that players reach a certain point in development,” Richardson added.
He uses Nathan Buckley as one player who continues to develop even in his older age.
“Bucks is always looking to develop his game, whether it is on playing his role with the game plan to improve his first touch, this is why he has been such a great player for so long.”
When asked to give advice in regards to development to those many kids who have aspirations to playing AFL at the highest level Richardson said: “Touch the ball as much as you can. Always have it in your hands. Always ask your coaches on how you can improve your game and arrange times to meet them outside of what you already are doing at training.”
Collingwood’s move to the Lexus Centre about three years ago generated a lot of hysteria, but now we are starting to see an increased number of players young and old being able maximise their potential through a combination of attitude and the best resources available at their disposal.
As the national under 18’s carnival is coming to a close there is a lot of hype and excitement on potential. Some players do not get drafted because they are not identified as someone who has the potential to develop into an AFL player.
Every player develops at different rate. Some have more potential then others, however potential counts for nothing unless you are prepared and willing to put the work in to develop your game.
Collingwood has a structure in place which makes it possible for all of it players to get the best out of themselves.
