Dinky vs. Dynamic Training

Why Dynamic is Better

At Insight Soccer Training, we believe that players should focus on developing dynamic skills that are directly applicable to match situations. This means avoiding overly complex or "dinky" moves that may look impressive in isolation but are impractical in a game.

• Real-World Relevance: Our training emphasizes simple, effective movements that players can use to beat defenders, create scoring chances, and control the ball under pressure.
• Efficiency: Dynamic players are more efficient with their touches and movements, allowing them to manage their energy and make better decisions on the field.
• Adaptability: Dynamic players are better equipped to adapt to changing game situations and make quick decisions.

How to Spot "Dinky"

While it may be tempting to focus on flashy tricks and skills, these can actually hinder a player's development. Excessive reliance on dinky moves and overly-fancy feet can:

• Limit Impact: Players who are too focused on individual skill moves on the field struggle to play creatively and effectively as part of a team. Often known as the ballhogs, players who play with dinky moves frustrate their teammates.
• Increase Risk of Turnovers: Overly complex moves can increase the risk of losing possession and turning the ball over to the opponent. While fancy moves can be fun, they are rarely a significant part of impactful supplemental training.
• Hurt decision making: Dinky moves usually hurt an individual player's decision-making skills and disrupt the team's rhythm.
• Require Extra Touches: Dinky players often need extra touches to complete their moves, which can give defenders time to recover and close them down.

If you see Instagram videos of players going back and forth through cones and poles with no real purpose or conviction when selling the feints, you know that is "dinky."

The Fun vs. the Functional

It's important to note that dinky moves can be fun and entertaining, but they should not be the primary focus of a player's development. While it's great for players to experiment with different skills, they should also be learning practical, effective movements that they can use in matches.

At Insight Soccer Training, we believe that players should have a balance of both fun and functional skills. By developing dynamic, efficient movements, players can not only improve their performance on the field but also have more fun playing the game.

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