PETER Crouch has sold the football world a dummy. At just over two metres tall, the Stoke City striker looks every inch the typical target man; a giant, awkward figure, a footballer custom built for aerial challenges and set plays. But the tallest outfield player in the Premier League is not short on technique. Indeed, his touch, his awareness, his skill with a ball at his feet are the reasons why I find it such a joy to watch the big man in action.
We begin this Big Interview by discussing a column written by Pep Guardiola in 2006, in which he paid tribute to both Crouch’s work ethic and his ability on the ball. Then, with a change of direction reminiscent of the Catalan in his pomp, Crouch explains how his exemplary technique was first honed – as an aspiring football player learning skills under the Coerver Method. That is a concept of coaching devised by and named after the Dutch UEFA Cup-winning manager Wiel Coerver.
“I went to Coerver as a kid – everyone had a ball and it was all about technique,” Peter says in the podcast. “When I first started going there was 10 years old and it was massive for the development of my career. The English way of playing at that time didn’t involve an awful lot of thought about how you play.”
A tenet of the Coerver Method is to teach young players an array of skills synonymous with the true greats. During those sessions, Peter was taught tricks named after such stellar names as Marco Van Basten, Pierre Littbarski and Diego Maradona. His homework was to go home and perfect those skills ahead of the next training session, refining his touch and technique simultaneously.
I have highlighted the tricks which Peter learned from the Coerver Method below, and also take a look at the players who made them famous:
The Van Basten
“The Van Basten was basically a step over,” explains Peter, who was signed up to sessions by his father after he heard about the Coerver Method.
It seems inevitable that Marco Van Basten would serve as an example to youngsters during training, if not necessarily for his step overs. The Dutchman is now celebrated more for his wonderful volley in the 1988 European Championship final, the second goal of a victory over the Soviet Union.
Coincidentally, Peter can claim volleys as his specialist subject, too. Just listen to the podcast.
The Littbarski
“The Littbarski was when you put your foot on the ball, dropped a shoulder and moved to the other side,” says Peter.
Pierre Littbarski was a World Cup winner with West Germany and a popular player in his homeland throughout his career. He captivated fans with his close control and capacity to evade opponents, often by feigning to go one way before taking off in another – the technique which Peter practised as a youngster.
The Maradona
“The Maradona was when you stood on the ball and turned… the kids probably have a new name for it these days,” Peter explains in the podcast.
Wee Diego could play a bit. The skill which was named after the Argentine magician would have been synonymous with him at the time, but it is now perhaps better known as the “Zidane”. That is rather fitting really, since the pair had successful spells in Italy and Spain during their careers, while winning a World Cup each as well. They are also both remembered for moments of controversy on the world stage…
