We cannot keep asking why Scotland does not produce enough creative, composed and technically excellent players if the earliest experiences we give children do not encourage creativity, composure or technical excellence.
That is the starting point. Before we look at elite academies, coach education, training methods, league structures, national teams or professional pathways, we need to look at the foundation of the game: grassroots football.
If we get the base right, everything above it has a better chance of improving.
The first step should be simple:
smaller games, smaller pitches, smaller goals, and rules that support development.
Children need more touches, more decisions, more 1v1s, more goalscoring chances, more defending actions and more involvement. Too often, the game they are given is too big, too adult-led and too focused on results.
At young ages, the game should fit the child. Small-sided games and futsal naturally create more repetition, more pressure, more transitions and more problem-solving moments. Players cannot hide. They are constantly involved. They have to pass, dribble, shoot, defend, move, scan and make decisions.
Delay the process to 11v11 by 1 or 2 years and start with small sided games with a focus on developing players and creating an environment where the child can play freely and express themselves.
Like other nations, I would start at 2v2's and have any many kids playing as possible. High intensity, and tiered based on ability and physicality rather than age. Let the kids play instead of overcoaching.
Progress to 3v3's before transitioning to 5v5's and 7v7's.
In my opinion, the current pitch sizes and goals at the first years of 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 are actually having a detrimental impact on players development and levels of enjoyment. They also favour more physically developed players ahead of technically gifted and intelligent ones.
Throughout the year, in particular in winter, include futsal. Futsal provides different challenges with the ball, surface, and reduced space.
Rule changes could support this too: look at retreat lines, include offsides, no goalkeepers picking up pass-backs and kick-ins or dribble-ins. Current rules reduce the amount of decision making from the players and can create problems further down the line.
These changes are not about making the game softer. They are about making it better. Not enough children love football right now. They love the idea of being a player, but not many love the game. That has to change.
If we want more skilful, brave, intelligent Scottish players, we need to create environments that demand those qualities from the beginning.
Fix the foundations first.
