When is the best time to call a player talented?

Among all kids playing on the field there is one or few that are standing out. They have shown great love for the game. They are more agile, faster, and technically quicker; while playing, they make better decisions then the others. They can attack and defend equally well, dribble without losing the ball, shoot harder and score more goals, pass the ball well when there is no other option.

All coaches happily rub their hands when they have them in their teams. Those players should be handled with care and must be given structured and specific environment for their appropriate development. They have a talent.

TALENTED PLAYERS ARE DIFFERENT – HOW?

Everybody can realize who is the gifted kid. Family, coaches, teammates, friends have increased expectations once a child is labelled as a talented one. These epithets make them different. It affects child’s world. It can crush the youngster who isn’t mentally tough and emotionally well balanced. For others, it’s normal that talented player always performs well, to be the best in the game.

It is unexpected for him to make mistake, lose the ball, give wrong pass, not take the ball from the opponent or miss a chance. He must always decide the game and especially when the game is thigh and it’s coming to an end. How is that possible, kids are not wonders and they are playing the game passionate the same as less gifted players? Result affect them in the same way but high expectation makes them lose self believe, confidence and love for the game. Sooner or later, every kid will succumb to pressure and show these characteristics.

TALENTED PLAYERS REQUIRE TIME TO DISCOVER

We shouldn’t say talented until the stage when we are sure that player is mentally matured and fully understand what that means. Their world shrinks and winning becomes their only reality, so, most likely, the elite that you get are not psychologically healthy. We must support their development to become a top player creating challenging and motivational environment where they will grow up with eagerness to win, but with understanding that some time you win, sometimes you lose. Every practice and every game is a teacher, when you had the best game of the season and, also, when you didn’t have your day. Player must stream to improve his game in every occasion that is coming. Learning is constant, and we must never say we learned it all.

Personality of a player and his approach to the game changes in the progression from an early stage to the top level player.

TALENTED PLAYERS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

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Primary characteristics of players at early stage are that they are joyful, playful and excited for the game. As they mature, they become special as talent stands out. They are hooked to the game and fully committed to the training. They always watch the game or play during the free time. They have drive and ambition to become a recognized player like their star idol. They are eager to learn and focused on their progression, adopting skills to perfection. They have a feeling of success and because of that, they become obsessed with the idea of being a top players and create their lifestyle priorities around it.

They are fully responsible for their duties required by sport. They come to a stage when they are self-minded,

demanding and selfish to achieve success. There toughness in high competitive world will decide their destiny. They will become celebrity, recognized and above all, awarded for their commitment. They must continue fighting and proving that they deserve the position they are.

Journey to the top level is long, with many ups and downs, but certainly worth passing by, if you are prepared for it.