“I don't think we had seen anything like it before”

"In recent years, the youth department has garnered attention with numerous successes," Julian Eckert, head coach of Berliner AK's under 19s team, states when we meet him at their home ground, Poststadion, in the Mitte neighborhood of Berlin. If one were to doubt him, they need only glance around the walls under the stands at Poststadion. Here, numerous medals, pennants, and trophies bear witness to the thriving youth department.


The successful youth coach reflects on the club's developments over the past year. "We have celebrated several B and A youth championships in Berlin football. Interestingly, two years ago, the A youth team clinched the Regionalliga championship and was even promoted to the Bundesliga," Eckert says. (Following this interview, his under 19s team has won the North East Regionalliga and secured promotion to the Bundesliga once again).

A recent change in the club’s strategy has meant a greater emphasis on the youth department’s work. As the results show, it has lead to success on the pitch, and it has strengthened the senior first team, too, as many more players get the chance to be promoted to the senior team.

“The club will likely rely more on the youth department in the coming years. The youth department now heavily supports the men's team. This means we currently have many players in the men's team who come from our own youth, which is the current strength of the club," says Eckert.

Daring to take the chance
Julian Eckert’s background as a football coach is also a story about taking the chance when it occurs. At a young age, he’s already a successful football coach, but it wasnt’ always the plan.

“I got into coaching more or less by chance. I took my little brother to training, and one day, there was no coach on the field. The question came up of whether I would do it. It developed from there; I found it enjoyable and continued. I got my licenses and eventually made my way to where I am now,” he says.

“This green thing with these two eyes”
As a relatively young coach, it’s been important for Eckert to get an edge by using the tech at hand.

“We use a Veo Cam for the youth, regularly for games and occasionally for training. We then analyze our games using the video material provided by the camera. In the beginning, I was extremely excited because I don't think we had seen anything like it before. First, the design, this green thing with these two eyes.”

But it wasn’t just the design that awed Eckert:

“It’s really good how it follows the ball. Honestly, I initially needed a bit of a learning phase to get used to the program, especially tagging game scenes and editing. But eventually, you get the hang of it,” he says and reflects on the world before Veo:

“I can still remember my first season here at Berliner AK. We had a regular camera and had to pan all the time. So, I think for us as coaches, it makes life extremely easy that you just set up the camera, and everything else happens automatically afterward. Some things are cut out; game scenes are cut. That's work I would normally have to do. So I don't have to cut a goal because the program does it for me. I don't have to cut a scoring opportunity because the program does it for me, and I think that's simply the biggest advantage.”

Like many other Veo coaches, Eckert has developed a methodology with a mix of tools and personalized and team feedback to reach the players where they are.

“We have a WhatsApp group. I send the link there, and they can watch it themselves, or I cut out scenes, bring the players here, and show them the scenes face-to-face. Sometimes, I also write something for the players, and they can look at it themselves,” he says and continues, “Once a week, we do an analysis with the whole team, plus we have additional one-on-one meetings with individual players.”

“They always want the video immediately”
It’s not only the coaching staff at Berliner AK 07 who are excited about the possibilities of video.  The players themselves are showing great enthusiasm for the technology, recognizing its value in their development.

“They are especially grateful that either the coaching staff or I take the time and effort to show videos. Showing them a video again, pointing out what they can improve; I think they appreciate that – especially when they have the opportunity to watch it themselves. Being able to watch the whole game again is a good thing for boys, especially those still in the training phase. They are very eager for it; they always want the video immediately,” Eckert ends.

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