Tom Byer is part of the Coerver franshise. Or has been. So he is likely to talk it up.
I was in contact with Jason Lanscar, Head of Aus Coerver some time ago to bring Coerver to this state. At one stage I was going to do a Coerver course with a few other 442 posters in Melb. At the same time I was convinced by the Football Aus head SAP coach in this state, that the NC was a combination of Coerver type skills, which is strictly a skills based program, devoid of any game sense - and - realistic game sense too. Both skills and game sense in the one.
Tom B to his credit, stated that he advanced that the great Japanese steps forward were mainly to do with Coerver implementation in Japan, but if one spoke to the Japanese Football Fed, or the clubs, they would contend it was based on the Fed organisation structure, or the clubs' programs, with 60 odd pro clubs.
Tom B didn't mention it, but Japan also has a high number of trained semi- pro and pro coaches in Japan. This also helps.
When I did the KNVB years ago, Ad Derkson and Arnie Schans, emphatically stated that Japanese players were very skilful with the ball, but the skill declined as soon as they were put in game realistic scenarios. Schans had coached in Japan for a decent period.
Tom Byer stated that Harry Kewell was a Coerver gradate. HK denies this. However, Tom Rogic and Terry Antonis were Coerver trained. Tom B also talked about the better technical players like Culina in Kewell's era. In that era the GG had Dukes and Bresc as 2 other good technicians.
Ostensibly, Tom Byer knows the underage coaches in Aus, better than the underage players coming through from U23 and younger. Players like Bos brothers, Valadon, Milanovic, Villupillay, Irankunda, Okon Jr, Segecic, Bozinovski, Teague, Jake Hollman, Quintal, Deli, Youlley look good compared to better Asian international opposition of their peers - technically.
I think it is both Quicky and Huddo, who've said that some of these young players haven't been evaluated playing against senior pros. Good point.
However, Villupillay, Teague, Bos brothers, Valadon, Bozinovski, Segecic, Irankunda, and Jake Hollman have.
In support of Tom B, and he made some excellent points, the 10-13 yo phase for key learning is true in terms of game sense and technique in the NC. But he makes the point that technique should be acquired earlier.
The Aus NC focuses on kids enjoying football in structured SSGs with some funny formation progressions for 7 and 9 a side on the way to 11 a side at age 12. The Brazilians go straight from 4v4 or 5v5 with keepers, to 11 v 11 at age 12-13 instead.
I like the fact coaches visit Japanese schools once per week to work with all kids, not focusing on identified elite from an early age in Aus. It is a compelling point. A lot of kids drop out for a diversity of reasons. I totally agree with Tom B that Aus needs to improve all young football players, not just an elite identified at an early age.
From my teaching background and knowledge of Piaget's Child Development theories, kids develop slowly and quickly at different ages. One size doesn't fit all. The NC is too prescriptive.
Another issue though is Tom B claiming it is ideal coaching kids from age 2-6, is very, very young. I've taught age 4-5 a lot in Kindergarten as a professional early childhood teacher. In the Kindergarten Development Check a lot of kids are still learning to hop on both feet at this age. They really are babies in terms of physical development.
However, ages 7-9 are terrific for football skills acquisition.
There are a few factors that support Tom B.
1. I've seen videos of really young kids on FB playing really good team football. I can't tell what age, but it appears to be about somewhere between 7-9. Im surmising they may be South American. The skills and team play are fantastic! I didn't think it was possible until viewing a few videos like this . All kids on the pitch were of similar calibre.
2. Where Tom B speaks from strength is the fantastic quality of the senior Japanese footballers. Even though Aus was very lucky to accrue 4 points from 2 games against Japan A and Japan B, both teams were incredible from a technical perspective in the last round of WCQs. I was in awe of both teams!
Moreover, Tom B states how many Japanese players are recruited to Big Five leagues, or the 30-40 top clubs who play in lower status leagues. It is a compelling point.
Where Tom B might fall down a bit, is that the Aus underage teams have improved technically compared to the better Asian opponents. This is the case with Japanese underage teams relative to the Aussies who've now had 10 years of training in the newer Aus methodology ( a word used by most trained coaches, not just me, with Tom B using it frequently).
