Sep.04
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Vertanno comes back with his second installment in his Grassroots series. In case you missed the first one click here. Anyway, this in-depth piece focuses on tutoring players.
Grassroots II: Tutorship
I'm not sure how well known this is but tutoring a player can a) help them learn new moves, b) improve mental attributes c) help mould personality.
You gotta be taking advantage of this, I do and it works brilliantly for me. Learning how to choose mentors and the extremity of "learn from player" is easy, but if you screw it up players will get upset, and at worst, make enemies in your own club. Before focusing in on tutoring, I will just give you the quick download on loaning vs. tutorship:
So we know the possible benefits of tutorship, what about loaning? Well, loaning does not really help mould personality, but in general, well-respected players at any club will act as role model possibly affecting personality. Loaning cannot help players learn new moves. Loaning?s main benefit is improving mental attributes, just slightly different way to tutorship. Tutoring improves specific mental traits carried by the mentor, and usually the youngster will improve on or two mental very quickly. In loaning, all mental attributes gradually improve, so gradual, you probably won't even notice! Some people call this match experience, but that can be slightly misleading because there is no hidden attribute called "experience". Experience is defined by mentals. This is why players like Kevin Phillips, who is neither technically nor physically adept as once before, can still play in the championship because he is "experienced". Training (mainly tactical) improves mentals the best, then loaning, then tutorship. But remember, loaning a player just as he has joined is robbing him of the chance to settle in, and this often causes a bad loan experience. Three months is a good rule of thumb, or just wait until "happy to have joined" has disappeared. Tutoring on the other hand can help players settle, because it helps player bonding.
Different mentors and different extremities cause different things:
The ideal role model:
- At least one strong personality trait
So your youngster can take this on.
- In form, high morale, no concerns
Happy players make good role models
- Well respected and a much higher current ability than the youngster
Otherwise the player will not gain anything and dislike like their mentor
- A few PPMs
For the youngster to learn
- Some good mental attributes
For the youngster to take on
- Naturally in the same position of youngster
The youngster can learn easier
A great way to decide on a mentor is to look at the youngster's coach report or training overview. If your assistant manager, or another coach thinks the youngster could benefit from a tutor, he specify on these pages. Normally recommendations are sound, but you should take the coach's man management attribute into consideration. Also remember that you have to decide on the extremity, the coach does not tell you this. The fact that this information is included on the training overview is another indication that a mentor can help accelerate the youngster's development.
Choosing the extremity
I cannot stress how vital this is, choosing the wrong extremity can cause problems. Don't worry, after a while, it's so easy you will not even be thinking about it.
State that you:
- See "tutor" as an ideal role model for "youngster"
The youngster will look to learn new moves, take on strong mental attributes and personality traits.
- Think "youngster" would benefit by adopting "tutor's" approach to the game
The youngster will look to learn new moves and take on strong mental attributes.
- Think "youngster" can learn from "tutor"
The youngster will look to learn new moves.
You might think that you should choose the first option every time, but think about, the older, more experienced and better a youngster becomes the less he will be willing (and need) to learn. As players become older and better, their personality traits become less impressionable, as do their mentals eventually. This is why you cannot tutor wonder-kids.
As a rule of thumb; <19 = 1st option 19-21 = 2nd option 21-23 3rd option. Analyse you coach reports, how good is the possible mentor? How good is the possible youngster?
Analyse your mentor; ask yourself, does he have any defined mentals, a strong personality (determined, loyal, ambitious etc), PPM?
Analyse your youngster; does he have his own strong mentals? Is his personality already good (No = fairly "something" or disloyal etc)?
Remember, determination is a key attribute, improving this for any player has multiple benefits: react better to going a goal down, react better to logical team talks and media interviews, train better and develop naturally a lot faster as a youngster etc.
Michael Woods is being trained with the second option. His determination attribute has improved.
Michael Woods' Profile Screenshot
Nathan Delfusisapodsapd has been trained with the first option by Torres. Despite Torres being determined, Nathan has gone from ambitious, to fairly determined, to fairly professional. His determination, composure and decisions have all improved by one or two.
Nathan Delfuenso's Profile Screenshot
Hope you enjoyed, and remember, a tutorship can only be broken if the youngster goes on loan or gets injured.
