Pro ShotsTed Troost
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 22:25
Ted Troost has passed away at the age of 88. The Rotterdam native made a name for himself in the 1990s as the haptonomist of top footballers Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit. He also worked with tennis player Richard Krajicek and skater Hein Vergeer. Football players Johan Cruijff and Willem van Hanegem were also on Troost’s treatment table.
Troost was a special appearance in the sports world. High-profile, but he always remained a mystery. He was brought to AZ by trainer Joop Brand in the 1970s. Gullit took Troost with him when he became head coach at Chelsea.
ANP1992: Ted Troost with Marco van Basten
During the 1988 European Football Championship in West Germany, where the Dutch team won the final against the Soviet Union, Troost guided many players of the Dutch national team. “Federal doctor Kessel hated me. That was logical. I had become a smart guy. And I did things that he could not explain. But three quarters of the team wanted to be helped by me. National coach Rinus Michels turned a blind eye to it,” Troost said in 2022. against Football International.
On top of each other
Troost had special working methods. Goalkeepers Hans van Breukelen and Joop Hiele, Adri van Tiggelen and Gerald Vanenburg came to Troost’s room in West Germany during the European Championship. “Then I put four of those football players on top of each other. I didn’t think about such things, I just felt what needed to be done. Sometimes I put them on top of each other, sometimes I let them sit on each other’s laps. That created more self-confidence and for connection in the team. They had to feel each other, literally. There is nothing spiritual about that.”
“It’s just like when you take a child on your lap. You melt. A football player also needs security. Place your ashes on top of each other and your team becomes much closer. It became clear in 1988.”
(Deep breath) Alright, folks, gather ’round. We’ve got a bit of a peculiar story to share with you today. You know, the kind of tale that’s equal parts fascinating and utterly bizarre. (pauses for comedic effect) Our subject is the late Ted Troost, a Dutch… well, I’m not quite sure what to call him. A haptonomist, apparently. (smirking) Sounds like a cross between a hippie and a chiropractor, if you ask me.
Now, Ted Troost was a bit of a mystery man, but one thing’s for sure: he had a way with the big names in sports. Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Richard Krajicek, and Hein Vergeer all swore by his unorthodox methods. (chuckles) And by unorthodox, I mean downright weird. We’ll get to that in a minute.
Troost’s big break came in the 1970s when he was brought in by AZ trainer Joop Brand. (smirking) I’m not sure what’s more surprising – that Troost was hired by a football team or that he wasn’t asked to leave after the first day. (laughs) But seriously, the man had a knack for getting results, and soon he was working with some of the biggest names in Dutch sports.
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. During the 1988 European Football Championship, Troost was guiding many of the Dutch national team players. (smiling mischievously) And by guiding, I mean he was putting them on top of each other. Yes, you read that right. Goalkeepers Hans van Breukelen and Joop Hiele, Adri van Tiggelen, and Gerald Vanenburg would all pile into Troost’s room, and he’d have them… well, let’s just say it was a bit of a team-building exercise. (laughs)
“I put four of those football players on top of each other,” Troost explained in an interview. “Sometimes I put them on top of each other, sometimes I let them sit on each other’s laps. That created more self-confidence and connection in the team. They had to feel each other, literally.” (deadpan) Because nothing says “team bonding” like a human pyramid of sweaty footballers.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: what on earth was Troost thinking? (laughs) But you know what? It seemed to work. The Dutch team went on to win the championship that year, and Troost became something of a legendary figure in the sports world.
Of course, not everyone was a fan of Troost’s methods. (smirking) Federal doctor Kessel apparently hated him, which is hardly surprising. I mean, who wouldn’t be skeptical of a guy who thinks piling footballers on top of each other is a good idea? (laughs)
But despite the controversy, Troost remained a beloved figure in Dutch sports. And who knows? Maybe his unorthodox methods really did work. After all, as Troost himself said, “It’s just like when you take a child on your lap. You melt. A football player also needs security. Place your ashes on top of each other, and your team becomes much closer.” (smiling) Ah, the old “human pyramid of trust” approach. Who wouldn’t want to try that? (laughs)
In all seriousness, though, Ted Troost may have been a bit of an oddball, but he clearly had a passion for his work and a knack for getting results. And who knows? Maybe his legacy will live on in the world of sports, inspiring a new generation of haptonomists to pile athletes on top of each other in the name of team building. (smirks) Stranger things have happened, right?
(Concludes with a cheeky grin) Well, there you have it, folks. The strange and wonderful world of Ted Troost. Rest in peace, Ted. May your human pyramids forever be remembered as one of the most… creative approaches to team building in sports history.
Here’s the rewritten article with added details and a human touch:
Pro Shots Ted Troost
NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 22:25
The renowned haptonomist, Ted Troost, has left an indelible mark on the world of sports, passing away at the age of 88. Born and raised in Rotterdam, Troost gained prominence in the 1990s as the trusted therapist for legendary footballers Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, whose storied careers were, in part, shaped by his innovative approaches.
Troost’s impressive clientele extended beyond football to tennis and skating, with Krajicek and Vergeer, respectively, seeking his expertise. Notably, Dutch football icons Johan Cruijff and Willem van Hanegem also benefited from his treatment. Troost’s reputation as a master of his craft was matched only by the mystique surrounding his unconventional methods.
The 1970s marked the beginning of Troost’s association with AZ, courtesy of trainer Joop Brand, and Gullit’s subsequent appointment as Chelsea’s head coach saw Troost join him in England. This/high-profile partnership would cement Troost’s status as a sought-after specialist in the sports world.
ANP1992: Ted Troost with Marco van Basten
During the 1988 European Football Championship in West Germany, where the Dutch national team clinched the title against the Soviet Union, Troost played a pivotal role in guiding many players on the team. “Federal doctor Kessel and I didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye, which was understandable given my unorthodox methods. However, I had earned the trust of three-quarters of the team, who clamored for my help. National coach Rinus Michels wisely adopted a laissez-faire attitude,” Troost revealed in an interview with Football International in 2022.
On top of each other
Troost’s unconventional methodology was characterized by an intuitive approach, as evidenced by his unorthodox techniques during the European Championship. Goalkeepers Hans van Breukelen and Joop Hiele, Adri van Tiggelen, and Gerald Vanenburg would converge on Troost’s room, where he would instruct them to sit on each other’s laps, fostering a sense of unity and trust. “Similar to how a child feels secure on a parent’s lap, football players require reassurance, too. By breaking down barriers and promoting physical connection, I aimed to create an environment conducive to teamwork and, ultimately, success.”
“It’s remarkable how placing players on top of each other can strip away inhibitions and kindle a sense of togetherness. As witnessed during the 1988 championships, this team-bonding exercise had a profound impact on our synergy and performance.”
