Peter Motzenbecker ❘ Coach and Analyst

As viewers, we are always excited when someone like Messi goes on a mesmerizing dribble, taking defenders out of the game one by one on his way to goal, but if you transport yourself from watching a professional match to watching an under-12s game, that dribble becomes something of an after thought to many (coaches, teammates, parents, etc.) because it is seen as risky or selfish. With the success of Guardiola’s Barcelona and Spain’s dominance in continental and international competition during the late 2000s and early 2010s, there has been a huge push for youth teams to play ‘possession-based soccer.’ […]