There is a new dimension to training sessions at Rowley Lane for the young players of Maccabi London Lions. Along with the usual on-the-pitch programme of ball skills, tactics and fitness, teams between the ages of ten and 15 are enjoying learning of another, little talked about element of the game — the mental factor.
March 11, 2019 11:27
The man at the forefront of the pioneering project is former player and coach Jeff Bookman, who has been running a series of 30-minute weekly character development sessions over six months for each of the teams.
It gives them an insight into just how important their mental attitude to playing football can be to bringing success on the pitch and in their future lives.
His lectures focus on how the boys can achieve the right level of commitment, desire and confidence to help them reach their true potential.
“Of course, perhaps 99 per cent of the young players at Lions or all the other clubs in youth football will never actually become professionals,” said Bookman. “But I believe what I can teach them is not just linked to playing. It can serve them in developing their future life skills.
“It can give them confidence in whatever they do in the future, reinforce their personal values and help them to combat bullying, should it ever occur in their lives. If you lead by example, your team-mates will follow.”
Bookman added: “FA coaches generally concentrate on the technical, tactical and physical aspects of the game, not much time is given to the psychological side, which I believe is so important.”
In one of his presentations, Bookman hammers home the real meaning of commitment. He shows video clips of the 2005 UEFA Cup final between Liverpool and AC Milan in Istanbul, when the Reds found themselves 3-0 down by half-time.
Bookman explains: “During the half-time interval captain Steven Gerrard said to his team ‘anyone here who does not think we can still win this game, do not bother coming out for the second half’.
“The rest is history…Liverpool went on to pull back to 3-3 and then won the trophy after a penalty shoot-out.”
Bookman, 66, who lives in Fyfield, Essex,was an Arsenal youth player for five years from the age of 11. He later moved to Chelsea where he played in their youth and reserve teams alongside established stars of the time.
“I was at Arsenal as a schoolboy player and the then manager Bertie Mee wanted to sign me, but my dad thought I should ‘get a proper job’ when I left school.
“But later on I received an offer from Chelsea and decided to join them instead.”
Bookman also captained England Schoolboys and went on to play in senior amateur football for Ilford, Barking, Barnet and Wingate, where he became head coach.
He also played in the last amateur Cup final at Wembley, when Ilford were beaten 4-1 by Bishop’s Stortford, and also competed at four Maccabiah Games in Israel, and was a coach at three more. He later became Head of International Youth Development and an academy coach at Chelsea and he currently scouts for Southampton.
Bookman spent eight years in America, where he was Technical Director for Next Gen USA, rolling out a youth soccer programme designed to develop the skills and talent of young American players. And it was in the States Bookman developed his programme that is now benefiting the young players of Lions.