A Barcelona Blog!

October 23rd 2019

I believe in continuing education in the game. If we do not innovate, then we become a proverbial statue in development. I believe in it. 

Sarah Gifford, TTi’s Social Media Czar has encouraged me to write about my time and experience in Barcelona to give insight into what it actually is that I am doing whilst I am here in Barcelona.

The First 2 Days at Barcelona!

I am at the Barcelona Innovation Hub Immersion Week – a weeklong precursor to a master’s degree focused on the entire Sports Industry from Barcelona’s perspective. There are people from literally every continent (Antarctica, I am not quite sure of) but it does reflect the willingness of the football industry to learn from arguably one of the most illustrious line ups of educators in the world (albeit internal Barcelona staff). The class is pretty evenly balanced between men and women, and the age and diversity is astounding. 

I should note the facilities are simple, but first class. The Auditorium 1899 is the scene for the first pieces of the day. The sleek design is a testament to the “Barca Style”, and the “Mes Que un Club” attitude and comes through in minute one (The coffee tables literally have players names and numbers on them!).

Javier Sobero opens up the day discussing his role as the head of the Barca Innovation Hub. It is clear from minute one that the ideology is based deeply in sharing and developing, not just at Barcelona, but across World Football. 

Albert Mundet effortlessly moves through the purpose of the Barca Innovation Hub (BIH) with careful, but clear pride. The area of knowledge laid out below are the key pieces to the Barcelona Philosophies.

The Barcelona Innovation Hub objectives are reasonably simplistic in nature, but cover a vast amount of the club and revenue. Each of these categories should affect the other. For example, if the sporting side is positive, (the team is winning) the Brand will be successful, and the BIH will continue to be able to innovate and research.

The piece that resonates with me is the character first approach. Whilst the journey is complex, the pieces are simple: Character, play in few contacts and be positive.

Dr. Gil Rodas, whom is the Head of Medical Staff for the 1st Team, is quite the character. Opening by questioning the amount of games contributing to the rise in injuries of the professional athlete. His take, when questioned about the amount of youth games, echoes the thought that less is simply more.

He asserts that Kinesiology tape is simply a psychological benefit.

Carles Bargallo, who works with both La Masia and the 1st team in analytics, admits that with all the technology available to the coach is the most important piece of the puzzle. Carles muses, “We don’t make decisions; we facilitate information for the coach.” The focus of Barcelona is what is around the ball, and then the space that players keep between them. In a later more private conversation, we are politely told that TTi’sprinciple-based teaching is “correct,” and that the pathway for teaching installed is correct. I cannot express how much this pleases the Sporting Director of TTi!

The 360-degree approach to coaching is fascinating. Whilst every resource is considered, and quite frankly seemingly used, it does ultimately come down to the coach and what they want.

A question is raised of the importance of the coach themselves in the era of so much information. The answer is that the coach is “more active than ever, but more knowledgeable than ever, the coach needs to be passive and facilitators.”

The first two days have been wonderful from an educational perspective. They have Immersed the candidates in the culture. I look forward to updating everyone Monday!