The Athletic’s Post

USMNT new coach Mauricio Pochettino preaches the ‘gospel of incremental small wins’ One specific example? He instructs his players to sprint forward when the goal kick is played so, if the ball is lost, the opposing team’s attacking player is offsides. A minor tweak that can prove to be a game changer. So minor, it can be easy to skip. Pochettino, who has also coached Espanyol in Spain, Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in England, as well as Paris Saint-Germain in France, wants his team to approach those situations with a combination of intensity and intentionality. “It’s going to be extremely valuable,” said Mark McKenzie, a defender for the USMNT. “If you can have that as your foundation, from there you can work on the nuances…When you understand the intensity is required every moment; this will define us. Everyone has to be firing and doing their job to the fullest.” As discussed in The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe’s story, McKenzie explained those small gains translate to HOW players run.   “We even spoke about body movement and how you’re moving,” McKenzie said. “About back-pedaling. If we’re doing that, it doesn’t really allow you to react how you need to. If you’re back-pedaling at high speed and the ball is played in front of you it’s very difficult. But if I’m sprinting at a side angle, I now have the opportunity to slow my steps down and react forward or backward." By integrating these small steps, McKenzie has noticed he and his teammates have subconsciously developed a growth mindset that’s been revealed in the heat of games and may translate to big moments.    “Those small things that you may not see by watching the game outside are important on the field,” McKenzie said. “They give you a split second more to receive the ball or play it. Or another second for your team-mates to have an option.” https://lnkd.in/gSsZyw3c

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Jacob Christner

Experienced podcaster with over 2000 hours experience on the air. Also experienced as an actor, producer, and a writer.

3w

Incremental small wins is for teams that lost 65 in a row, not teams that are supposed to contend

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