(Sports Focus) FC Barcelona's youth training praised in China

Coaches from La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, are different from their Chinese counterparts - and they are very popular with football-loving kids here.

"School teachers usually toss a football and ask us to practice juggling and dribbling day after day. Barcelona coaches told us to learn these skills in games, and it's more fun," said Jia Hongrui, who took up the sport one year ago.

The 10-year-old Jia has attended a La Masia camp in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao for half a month, and now he is entranced.

The camp, held from January 18 to February 19 with 90 trainees, is a trial operation of the FCBEscola Qingdao Huanghai, which is a collaboration of FC Barcelona and Huanghai Pharmaceutical, owner of the China's League One side Qingdao Huanghai.

"When we win, the whole team are excited and proud. When we lose, everyone tries to do his best in next round and focuses even more on teamwork," said Sun Haode, a 11-year-old trainee.

"We get more pleasure in Barcelona's youth training camp than anywhere else."

Six Chinese coaches of the camp also spoke highly of Barcelona's youth training.

"They overturned our concept of football youth training," said Sun Xinming, head of the Chinese coaching team.

"When I was a kid, coaches told me to juggle thousands of times for a whole day. Barcelona coaches have kids to learn basic skills in games, and teach them how to cooperate, keep position and take advantage of space," Sun added.

Sun noted players trained by La Masia were tactically smarter, while Chinese players might had good skills from repetitive training, but still didn't understand the game.

The six Chinese coaches were chosen from three rounds of selection. FC Qingdao Huanghai selected 15 coaches out of over 100 applicants across China, then six experts from FC Barcelona picked six out of 15 from two tests.

Two La Masia coaches, Albert Moratalla and Sergi Pi, trained six Chinese colleagues first and then made a training plan for the camp.

"Chinese coaches are learning and teaching at the same time, and we hope to know more about Barcelona's youth training," Sun said.

Barcelona coaches said that Chinese students were talented and they were glad to teach them.

Skills are just one side of youth training, personalities are important as well, like hardworking, modesty and team spirit, said the 30-year-old Moratalla, who had taught the game in Russia, Japan and Italy.

These personalities are key concepts of FC Barcelona's youth training system, he added.

"Many young trainees won't become professional players. And it is irresponsible for their future if we can't build their personalities," said Pi.

The two coaches will leave for Barcelona on Thursday to have the belated Christmas holidays.

"We will be back and continue teaching in Qingdao, and we hope to stay in China as long as possible," said Moratalla.

The FCBEscola Qingdao Huanghai will open on February 22, with about 150 students to be enrolled. Endit