There has been some fuss about the absence of Davinia Vanmechelen for the Red Flames’ World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Kosovo. The player of Standard did not meet the predefined “parameters”. She herself finds these requirements too strict. But what exactly are the parameters on which our Flames are judged? The KBVB does not provide individual details, but these are the guidelines.
For logical reasons, the KBVB does not provide any details about individual players, but they did want to give some clarification on their approach in the search for more professionalism.
“A goal has been set in consultation with the federation and the players: aiming for top 8 in Europe. As a staff we try to determine what is needed for this. Women’s football is undergoing enormous evolution, technically, tactically and physically. If we want to keep up with this trend, we also need to develop these things further.”
“We realize that this requires efforts from the players that are not always obvious. If a player indicates that she does not want to make these efforts, we respect this.”
“It would be better for the players if they could live as a professional, but in the current context this is not yet possible,” it sounds. They hope for progress in that area. The KBVB wants to integrate the professional status step by step. For example, Belgian first division players must have 3 semi-pros from next season.
In order to implement the so-called “high performance culture” at the Red Flames, the players must meet various parameters.
1. Physical parameters
In determining the physical parameters, the staff of the Flames bases itself on what is demanded at the international level. They analyze their own match data of matches against strong teams and look at the evaluations of the past Champions League campaigns for women and the past World Cup, for example.
“We see that football is becoming faster and more intensive, just like in men’s football. The meters run between 19-23 km/h and those of more than 23 km/h are becoming increasingly important, both offensively and defensively.”
“Players must be able to deliver these intense efforts for 90 minutes or more. We test that with exercise tests, both lab and field tests.”
“We know from research what is needed for each specific position on the pitch. We want to prepare all our players for this. We therefore measure their data with GPS, both during training and during competitions.”
We expect the players to do strength training at least twice a week.
“In addition, players are becoming increasingly stronger and faster. That is why strength training is an important part of today’s training. We follow this weekly.”
“We expect the players to do strength training at least twice a week. This is both to promote performance and to avoid injuries.
2. Medical parameters and guidance
The Football Association also wants to monitor the players closely on a medical level. Elke Van den Steen is medical coordinator at the Flames and explains.
“Every week the players fill in a questionnaire about medical and physical aspects. This is discussed weekly with the staff. In case of medical problems, the player and the club are contacted.”
Food is also important in this story. “The players have been followed up by a sports dietitian for a number of years. An individual target is drawn up for each player, partly based on the morphological type of the player.”
There are roughly three body types: ectomorph, endomorph and mesomorph. For example, people with a mesomorphic body type have a more athletic build and have a lower fat percentage.
We monitor the players closely and want to prevent them from adopting an incorrect diet and developing an eating disorder.
“The target is also determined in the long term, whereby we determine intermediate steps in the short term,” says Van den Steen. “The player is monitored monthly and adjusted where necessary. For example, the influence of certain forms of contraception is examined.”
“If something needs to be adjusted, it is discussed with an expert in that specific domain. If, for example, there is a need to focus on muscle building, we do this in consultation with the physical coach. If the players want this, nutritional schedules are also provided.”
“Because we work with individual targets and closely monitor the player, we want to prevent the player from adopting an incorrect diet and developing an eating disorder.”
The Red Flames won the Pinatar Cup in February.
3. Technical-tactical parameters
An evaluation is also made on a tactical and technical level. On the internships, the past For years a number of fixed tactical principles have been established with the Flames.
“They are linked to our own playing style and based on the trends of international football,” it sounds.
“These principles are evaluated both collectively and individually with the support of video analysis. The players receive individual feedback via an electronic platform and are thus followed up.”
Our tactical principles are based on the trends in international football
4. Mentale parameters
Finally, they also look at the mental aspect. For example, there is a permanent psychologist on the staff of the Red Flames.
“The psychologist guides players and staff individually and collectively to be able to perform optimally in a top sports culture. This psychologist can also be contacted individually at any time.”
