Blog Post #1, Aug 2, 2020 - The Why

Taktike began to help people and that will always be the mission. 9 months ago Taktike was born. It really started before that, perhaps even years before. It was conceived as idealistic dreams clashed with mounting frustrations of my own as I watched player after player go into environments where the only help they got was minimal at best. Where the staff believed in the sink or swim principle and washed their hands of any ownership of player development. Unless the player came to life and thrived, then they were more than happy to claim some part in the player’s growth. That’s a topic for another time, back to the conception of Taktike.

I was talking to one of my mentors a few years back, who was working in the NBA, about how much players get coached and what development looks like in that arena. Team practice, individual video, individual technique, individual weight lifting, and individual bio-mechanical work means these players are getting coached and coached A LOT. I said, why doesn’t this exist in soccer? It makes too much sense, how is this not a thing? Nearly every other major American sports league utilizes a high level of individual coaching and feedback and I’d argue that many of them are less complex than soccer. In the sense that plays are scripted, pitches are called, and so on. There is some level of personal freedom but it pales in comparison to soccer.

11 individuals striving to work together in an attempt to win a game against another group of 11 individuals. Who is spending the time with their players to make sure each and every one is on the same page? From the world class, seasoned pro to the reserve to the up and coming academy player who joins midseason, who is making sure they are all together? We accept that there are technical differences (levels) between players, we accept that there are physical differences between players so why would we assume that there are no differences in the understanding of the game? Why wouldn’t one player have mastery over problem solving where another one would just be beginning their journey?

This is where Taktike comes into the fray. Having worked at all levels of the game and being a devout student of player performance, game models, scouting and tactics, I knew that I could help. I could help the player trying to break into the first team and doesn’t have access to all of the experience that the starter has. I could help the player who is trying to understand how to OPTIMALLY solve situations. That’s all I want to do; help players. Whether it is learning how to move within the box to score or learning when to step to the ball versus staying in line. I want to give players the individual attention they deserve. If you’re going into college or heading to the pros or even into an international competition, I want to help you look at situations and see all of the options, to discuss the positives and negatives of any decision or interaction you may have. Taktike began to help people and that will always be the mission.