- Oskar Kretzinger is a team leader at Bayern Munich in the skills lab and used to be the team instructor for the German FA (DFB), working on developing talent in the Bavarian youth system. He believes in holistic development for young players, including their academic success in addition to their soccer skills.
- As part of the Warubi Sports Coaching Staff, Oskar was responsible for the coaching sessions of the DFB-Akademie Training Centers in Fort Lauderdale and Largo (Florida, USA).
- Oskar holds an UEFA Pro Level from the Deutscher Fußball Bund (DFB) and is one of the guest speakers in the German State FA (TFV) – Online Course.
Talent Identification and Development in German Youth Soccer
Talent identification is a crucial aspect of youth development in soccer, and the German system has a strong track record of identifying and nurturing young talent. Oskar, a team leader at Bayern Munich and former team instructor for the German FA, shared his insights on the process of identifying and developing talented young soccer players.
The Role of Holistic Development and Talent Base Camps in Youth Soccer Talent Identification and Development in Germany
According to Oskar, holistic development is key in youth training. This means not only focusing on soccer skills, but also on the overall development of the player, including their academic success and personal growth. Personality and technique are also important factors in a player’s overall development.
In Germany, the base camps play a crucial role in talent identification and development. These camps are responsible for scouting and holding trials at amateur clubs, and their focus is on finding players who are ready to make the transition to a bigger club at the age of 14 or 15. Game intelligence and the ability to learn and adapt are especially important at this age group.
For younger players, the focus is more on game intelligence and technique. Oskar emphasizes the importance of allowing these players to play and learn rather than coaching them too heavily at this stage.
Other factors that Oskar considers when identifying talent include a player’s passion for soccer and their willingness to work hard to improve, as well as their physical attributes and potential for improvement.
Overall, Oskar’s experiences and insights highlight the importance of holistic development, the role of base camps in talent identification, and the various factors that are considered when identifying and developing young soccer players.
Oskar Kretzinger’s Full Interview on Talent Identification in Youth Soccer Development in Germany
The Full Interview with Oskar Kretzinger on Talent Identification, Released in the German State FA (TFV) – Online Course includes:
I. Introduction
- Introduce Oskar and his role at Bayern Munich and the German FA
- Overview of the focus on talent identification in youth development in Germany
II. Importance of holistic development in youth training
- Emphasis on both soccer skills and academic success
- Role of personality and technique in overall development
III. Role of base camps in talent identification and development
- Responsibility for scouting and trials at amateur clubs
- Focus on game intelligence and allowing players to play and learn rather than coaching
IV. Talent identification at different age groups
- U12-U15: focus on players who can learn and adapt as they move up in age groups
- U8-U11: focus on game intelligence and technique
V. Other factors in talent identification
- Passion for soccer and willingness to work hard to improve
- Physical attributes and potential for improvement
VI. Conclusion
- Summary of Oskar’s experiences and insights on talent identification in youth development in Germany
