New DFB Youth Development Concept Really Absurd?

Implementing something new takes courage and less attachment to tradition!

The new concept for youth development at the DFB, parts of which have been published, is causing bewilderment. Thomas Helmer and Dietmar Hamann, for instance, voiced clear criticism, especially of the part of the concept for U6 to U11 teams, in which championship rounds are to be replaced by play afternoons and festivals.

What has already been published of our football federation's concept, and are the intended changes sensible?

First, though, I would like to explicitly apologize for a sentence I directed last week, in my post “Sanctimonious Lip Service,” at the national teams' sporting director, Joti Chatzialexiou. I accused him of needing to follow up his words with actions, and said I couldn't share his assessment that things were moving too slowly.

The article mentioned above woke me up to this, since in it Helmer dismisses the concept as “absurd” and Hamann doesn't hold back with criticism either. Their statements made me research online what is already known about the new paper on developing our talents. Incidentally, the topic was also discussed in great detail today on the football talk show Doppelpass on the private broadcaster SPORT1, which underlines your/our interest in this topic as well.

As early as December 1, 2020, the news channel NTV reported in a brief item that, according to a confidential DFB document, the junior Bundesligas were to be restructured, and that match operations from the U14 to the U17 would also take on a different form.

Today, in mid-August 2023, we still can't see any of that, but the confidential document is taking shape. In that sense, I can now actually understand the statement made by our national teams' sporting director.

An association like our DFB naturally has many decision-making bodies that get to be involved in change processes of this scope. On the one hand, that protects against short-sighted measures, but on the other hand, it obviously leads to decision-making paths that are far too long. I therefore withdraw the incomprehension I expressed toward the sentence voiced by Joti Chatzialexiou, that the wheels were turning too slowly.

But back to the concept and the criticism voiced by Thomas Helmer and Dietmar Hamann regarding the changes to match operations for U6 to U11 juniors. My experience with junior teams from a wide variety of perspectives shows me that competition has a decisive influence on the fun and enjoyment, but also, above all, on the ambition that is displayed. Helmer's and Hamann's criticism of abolishing the competitive character and performance comparison for this age group therefore initially seems entirely justified.

Perhaps, though, the terms “play afternoons and festivals” are somewhat unfortunate and mislead as to the character of this new youth development approach.

The DFB explains the new forms of play on its website, among other places in the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) section, and also sets out the goals of this new format:

many ball contacts,

actively taking part in the game,

scoring goals, and

creating many experiences of success.

And the intended forms of play, which are to be implemented starting with the 2024/2025 season, do live up to these goals too, as far as one can judge without having been part of the two-year pilot phase.

It was precisely in my post on the transformation of society and its influence on talent development in German football that I called on the DFB and the clubs, among others, to rethink their approach. And I find that the DFB is taking a big step forward with this change, without losing sight of the competitive character and performance comparison. Let's focus on this age group for today. Incidentally, this is the stage of life up to the first scouting!

The fun of playing, lots of ball contacts, lots of goals, all concentrated into one afternoon, sounds fantastic. In my view, the key to the success of these major changes lies with the officials and parents, and with successful “project marketing.”

It's precisely in this respect that Helmer's and Hamann's shortsighted statements are counterproductive. Children, even at this age, look up to their idols. Even though both seasoned former professional footballers left the active business long ago, their media presence still gives them real pull in football today, and one parent or another will already be explaining to their little ones who Hamann and Helmer are.

So, former pros and active players, hold back and give the new concept a chance! This is about more than tradition and promotion chances in the U11 age group! We need to get the kids excited about our sport. Otherwise this sport will lack young talent in the future! And the performance comparison at the “play afternoons” is entirely sufficient at this age. The topic of promotion in particular needs to be handled with the utmost caution in the junior area. But more on that next week.

You can find information material on the forms of play for kids up to age 10 on the DFB's download pages.

An appeal to parents and officials:

Dear adults, please don't be so skeptical of what's new, and organize exciting competition afternoons with an entertaining supporting program, just as you already do today at your children's matches!

And my highly esteemed officials in the associations and clubs, carry and support the idea behind these changes!

How a successful implementation can work is already being shown at many venues where, in this age group, people have been playing by fair-play rules for years. For the children, this change was a step toward lived fairness. And I would argue that wherever adults don't torpedo the idea, the children benefit!

Unfortunately, I have also experienced the opposite, and seen parents and coaches urging their offspring toward more toughness, toward diving, and actively toward fouls! No further comment is needed on that.

And now one final thought, addressed mainly to the clubs:

If the association reaches children with the new concept — and the two-year pilot phase seems to have confirmed that it does — wouldn't these forms of play already have a place today within training sessions, or even outside official training times?

It's hard to imagine how much life could once again fill the pitches, if parents didn't already plan their children's afternoons in 30-minute increments.

I look forward to addressing another topic in talent development with you next week under my column “So schaut's aus.” Until then! Stay healthy, and always a good ball!