On the subject of "Talent development in English football", Prof. Dr. Jürgen Beckmann held a keynote lecture in Edinburgh, Scotland. In the course of the conference on "Coaching as a global Endeavour", held on March 8-9, 2016, the full professor from the Chair of the Department of Sports Psychology was invited by the University of Edinburgh to speak.
"This is a very high-quality meeting of scientists with numerous level-4 trainers, that is trainers of the highest level, from across all of the UK," stated Prof. Beckmann. In his lecture, the habilitated psychologist outlined the development of talent using the FC Augsburg, a club that works together with the Department of Sports Psychology.
Cooperation with the junior performance center of the FC Augsburg
Manuel Baum is the head coach at the junior performance center for this member of the German professional soccer league. The 37-year-old sports scientist, is a graduate from the Department of Sport and Health Sciences. "In their development of up-and-coming soccer stars, the FC Augsburg takes advantage of sport scientific concepts in the training of their younger members, which are implemented by three coaches per team who demonstrate a broad range of academic degrees. Our master's student in 'Diagnostics and Trainingʹ demonstrates excellent qualifications," as praised by Prof. Beckmann.
Sport psychology is of great importance to the Swabian participant in the Europa League. Beckmann and his team work with all players from the junior department and support the coach through individual advice and consultations, as well as with a monthly further-education program for the coach. "The idea that a trainer can immediately interact with and train all players in the same way has long been obsolete. Today, trainers need to coach in an individually oriented manner, meaning that they must coach different types of players differently. Hereby, sports psychology is an important factor for optimizing performance," according to Beckmann.
Personality tests and stress/relaxation surveys
Different concepts have been established by the FC Augsburg. Among these is also the diagnostic pattern analysis. Psychological and personality tests are carried out with the players. Recommendations can be derived from the patterns that result concerning not only how to best coach a player, but also for which position is most suitable for an individual player. "Among other things, we test which is the dominant eye. In addition, our research has shown which types of personality are suitable for which positions," explains the professor from the Chair of Sports Psychology.
At regular intervals stress/relaxation tests are carried out additionally. "Based on the profiles seen, we are then able to say whether a player is too highly stressed or in need of a longer recovery period and, if necessary, provide the trainer with information on how to reduce the intensity of training or to place more emphasis on relaxation and recovery," explains Beckmann. Here, the prevention of a burnout also plays a role, for instance in strategies mediated for dealing with stress.
Beckmann outlined the extensive cooperation within the framework of his lecture held in Edinburgh. The keynote was followed with great interest by the British scientists and trainers. Already during Beckmann's lecture many participants commented on this on the microblog Twitter under the Hashtag #UCCL4
Life coaching: Development of a personality
Aside from the soccer training, the First Division players also consider a second aspect to be important: "Together with the FC Augsburg, the approach that we follow is mutually based all together on carrying out 'Life Coaching'. Players should not only be prepared to become professionals, but should develop as personalities as well. Schooling and occupational training also play an important role here," according to Beckmann.
In the course of his lecture held in Edinburgh, Beckmann provided an outline of the extensive cooperation. The British scientists and trainers followed the keynote lecture with great interest. Even during Beckmann's lecture numerous participants commented in the microblog on Twitter under the hashtag #UCCL4.
Invited session at the ECSS 2016
Beckmann has already received the next invitation for this July. As Chairman, he will then manage the course of the invitational symposium on the topic of "Disorders in Elite Sports" at the "21st annual Congress of the European Council of Sport Science" and will also deliver a lecture on the "BURNOUT AND DEPRESSION IN HIGH LEVEL YOUNG ATHLETES".
To the homepage of the Department of Sports Psychology
The program of the congress "Coaching as a global Endeavour"
The invited session on the ECSS 2016
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Beckmann
Chair of Sports Psychology
TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences
Uptown München, Campus D
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60-62
80992 Munich
Telephone: 089 289 24541
Email: info.sportpsychologie(at)tum.de
Photos: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Beckmann/TUM