German training style vs. youth football players from China

A football team aging between 9 and 13 from Jiangsu Province's Zhangjiagang city in eastern China have a short-term training program at Berlin Football Talent Training Center (Fussball Talentschmiede Berlin) in Germany in August 2015. [Photo/people.cn]

"Our approach is 70% play plus 30% theoretical and tactical teaching," Minow said.

Minow also expresses his hope that China could focus more on fostering training-related personnel in their ability to help China's youth players better enjoy the happiness of playing football.

Then, what did the kids say about their unique experience?

When asked the difference between the training in China and Germany, they answered almost with one voice: "At the end of the training here after a whole day, we feel happy and relaxed."

The training course is actually intensive. The reason why those children feel physically but not mentally tired is that German coaches attach great importance to warm-ups before teaching. Football dances, football games and tennis-like football kicking competition are applied to activate their enthusiasm for football and let them fully experience that playing football makes fun.

Yet learning from the football nation known for advanced football training philosophy should never be considered once-for-all.

"Our stay in Germany this time means much more than merely understanding the current training theories and approaches. Even for the German coaches, regular study and updating of knowledge are required," said Xu.

When the German coach took out his coach card, Minow told Xinhua that regular testing system is adopted to make sure that every qualified coach keeps abreast of state-of-the-art knowledge.

Only by constant learning and passing the test held every two years can a coach extend his qualification.