The Player Development Project Podcast
Player Development Project
EP7. Should the players fit the system, or should the sysem fit the players?
Episode Notes
In this episode of the Player Development Project Podcast, hosts Angelo Sabblah (@PDProjectSoccer) and Johnny Cardello dive into one of youth soccer’s most nuanced debates: Should players be molded to fit a predetermined system, or should the system evolve to match the players available?
Drawing from coaching experience, tactical research, and the realities of youth environments, they explore:
How professional clubs like Man City and Barcelona scout for system-fit players, vs. the adaptability required at the youth level.
The importance of flexible frameworks over rigid formations.
How tactical pliability can support player development across multiple playing styles and systems.
Whether club-wide football "DNA" helps or hinders learning.
The role of curriculum-based coaching in building long-term, adaptable footballers.
From Pep Guardiola’s tactical evolution to challenges with high school conflicts and club facilities, this episode is packed with insights on shaping your coaching philosophy.
📌 Whether you’re coaching at the grassroots or elite level, this one’s for anyone balancing identity, adaptability, and development.