I have already stated that the U.S. needs better top athletes. I believe that. Now having said that, there is also times during development that coaches pick the better athletes for playing time instead of the better players. They want the bigger, stronger, faster guys instead of the guys with the better technical abilities. That isn't a good thing. I have read articles about this also being a minor issue in parts of England. I've even read a few articles that suggested that Brazil was guilty of doing this as well to some extent in recent years. I'm all for picking the better athletes if they are equal in technical ability as the guy who isn't as athletic; however, if an undersized kid has the best skills out there then you don't take someone who is lacking in skills over him just because he may be the better athlete. If there is a difference in skill level, you take the more skilled player. If the skill level is equal, you take the better athlete. Hopefully over time you end up with guys who are both highly skilled and great athletes.
Skills, skills, skills. It comes down to that. Dribbling, trapping, holding the ball, learning how to shield the opponent off the ball, passing and shooting. These things should be drilled into kids. It isn't until they have mastered these skills for years that you start teaching game planning, formations and schemes.
