The brand new course from Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Sports Science Department and the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports recently began that focuses on Training Principles in Modern Football. Following a successful first class where Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen spoke about the general philosophy and style of play, the second course started to delve into the heart of the matter as Raymond Atteveld, van Leeuwen’s assistant presided over the class.

Atteveld discussed the various aspects of the game, be it the defensive or offensive side and explained that individual drills and full training sessions can be planned, what the players are required to do in the same situations, the coach’s attitude and how technological means are used for the quantitative assessment of statistics. In addition, the class looked at how a database helps in the planning and monitoring of training along with a theoretical demonstration of a session with a practical analysis immediately afterwards.

In the following video clip, Atteveld explains how an offensive attack is built:

The student body is composed of coaches, undergraduate students in the field of physical education as well as fitness trainers. The organizers of the course have adapted the content for everyone, so tools can be provided to all of the attendees and professional staff personnel in the same “language” and can be synchronized so that they can all work as one unit. So far the students have been extremely pleased and enthusiastic. Some have said that they have finally found a course where training methodology is being taught and that tools are being given in order to implement a theory in terms of planning, control, performance and evaluation immediately after a practice session.

Patrick van Leeuwen said: “I’m very happy that we began this project. There’s a a lot of interest on the part of the students and the coaches who registered and it gives us an opportunity to explain Maccabi’s philosophy by classroom lectures as well as actual training drills from our academic team. In the coming years, we will give the students an opportunity to also experience the training sessions themselves. I am very happy about the initiative and this is something that we must strive to continue.”

Atteveld also gave his point of view: “The participants are very energetic and are interested to learn how we work at Maccabi. They ask questions and look for advice on day to day situations that they encounter. They have a thirst and desire to learn more and more.” He also added: “The course makes the students think more about the work methodology that is relevant to them and we analyze every matter in order to help them become better coaches and then they can in turn create better players.”