Just think back to the old Greek philosophers like Aristoteles, Plato and Socrates. They were not trying to develop subjective opinions. No, they were looking for the objective truth. They wanted to understand how the world works. They tried to shape their thinking in an objective, factual, conceptual and universal way in an attempt to get closer and closer to the essence of a specific topic. They applied the most pure form of philosophy. An objective, factual, conceptual and universal search for the truth and to develop references to better understand the world around us.

Everyone plays and coaches the same sport

From a philosophical point of view the game of football is the same for everyone. Every single player in the world has to attack, defend, transition, pass, press, etc. And all coaches worldwide have to coach these same elements. In other words, the WHAT of football is the same for all players and coaches. Everyone is playing and coaching exactly the same sport. This means there is no room for subjectivity (opinions, experiences, etc.) when describing this WHAT. The football reference should be objective, factual, conceptual and universal.

Universal reference for pilots

Next, all football coaches around the world should be educated within this football reference and based on a universal football language. This is similar to how, for example, pilots are trained. Pilots are people from different cultures and with very different personalities, but at the end of the day they all have to fly exactly the same plane. When we talk about the reference and language to describe the plane there is no room for the subjectivity of the pilots.

The difference between WHAT and HOW

If football coaches are educated within an objective and universal reference, does this mean there is no room at all for the subjectivity of the coach? Of course there is, but not at the level of philosophy. The subjectivity of the coach becomes important when practically applying the objective football reference. The WHAT is the same on the pitch for everyone. But the HOW of the WHAT is totally different for every player and coach. Every player has to pass (WHAT) but for each player the passing might be different (HOW). Every coach has to coach attacking (WHAT) but the way his team attacks (HOW) might be totally different.

Subjective application of objective reference

So, when we talk about the objective football reference (WHAT) someone’s subjectivity is totally irrelevant. But when it’s about the application of the reference (HOW) the subjectivity becomes crucial. When a coach applies the objective football reference in his practical environment he has to anticipate on all kinds of external factors, for example the characteristics of his players. The same objective reference will be applied differently to children compared to adults. It’s the same with amateur players and professionals. Because of the differences between these two categories they require a different subjective application of the same objective reference.

The art of coaching

On the one hand, two football coaches have been educated in the same objective football reference because they both coach exactly the same sport. But on the other hand, they will apply this objective reference in a different way because they have to deal with totally different external factors. So, coaching football means the best possible subjective application of the objective football reference given certain external factors. This ability is what we call ‘the art of coaching’.