English and Spanish football: A difference in style

Children go through a coaching session in England

There is a huge difference between the way football is taught/coached in Spain and England, and if you watch the two national teams play regularly you must agree a huge gulf exists.

English football is more about strength and playing the ball forward as quickly as possible,whereas in Spain more emphasis is put on controlling the ball,playing the ball to feet and keeping possession of the ball.

While the Spanish team has flourished,English football appears to have gone backwards or stagnated. I believe this is because of failings in youth coaching in England, and we can learn a thing or two from the way kids are taught and coached in Spain.

Spain focus their attention on youth and developing their game, young players adopt a style of play with skill and technique and they ensure their coaches are well trained to their football philosophy. If you watch Academy sides or local youth teams in Spain they all play the same style (pass,control,move and receive).

The Spanish concept of football focuses on ball movement allowing them to control not just the ball but also the opposition. Each day from a very young age youth players in Spain spend an hour doing exercises based on one-touch football in tight spaces.

As Jose Mourinho once said: “In England kids are taught to win. In Spain and Portugal the kids are taught to play”

In recent years, Spanish football has shown England the way to go, coaching kids to play the right way and this in turn will develop a better standard of football. English football must learn from Spain and develop and improve from the lowest level of football right to the very top.