The Soccer Coaching Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Episode 34 - Would these initiatives improve player development at foundation phase grassroots football? In this episode we discuss some initiatives that could help improve the development opportunities at foundation phase grassroots matches. We look at, format, goalkeeping, the retreat rule as well as parent and coach education. Please let us know your views and we hope you enjoy this episode. T - @SoccerCoachCast E – [email protected] W ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss goalkeepers and how we can support their development and inclusion with outfield players when coaching, with the wonderful Adie Creamer (@gkaade). Adie shares his goalkeeping journey and coaching experience and answers our questions on this key role in any team. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode. T - @SoccerCoachCast W – www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com E – [email protected] This episode was brought to you in as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the role of being a parent coach with the wonderful Richard Shorter from Non-perfect Dad. Richard describes some of the challenges and gives some top tips on how to navigate this tricky role. You can find out more about Richard and the great work he’s doing via his twitter account @nonperfectdad or his website www.non-perfectdad.co.uk Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode. Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast Web - www.thesoccercoach...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss how to deliver an effective session for all players with the awesome Ciara Allan - Regional Coach Mentor Officer (South West & London) @Ciara Allan6. This includes… Getting to know your players – registration forms, the hidden details, match attack cards, google forms, player profiling, 360 feedback, Mid season check ins, parents How to then use this information – periodisation (Macro, meso, micro), individual action plans, challenge cards...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss an U8 training session. We look at where the session fits into the season, the practices delivered, how they could have been adjusted or improved and even have some player feedback! Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode! Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast Web – www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com Email – [email protected] This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. Estab...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the important role mentoring can play in coach development with the wonderful Robbie Blood (@robbie_blood). We look at what mentoring is and isn’t and the benefits of both being a mentor and a mentee. Robbie shares his thoughts and experiences as a coach and FA Coach Mentor. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode! www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com [email protected] @SoccerCoachCast This episode was brought to you in a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the role that parents play and the importance of working effectively with parents if you want to create a positive training and match day environment. We reflect on our own parenting as well as our experiences with parents and then look at some of the initiatives that could help to ensure coaches and parents are working together to best support the players. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode. Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast WWW...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss how Tristan went from analysing football into coaching and how this helped with having a deeper understanding of the game. We also look at how we can use this understanding to help focus our coaching at the foundation phase. A massive thank you to the superb Tristan (@flyingwingback) for kindly giving up his time and we hope you enjoy this episode. Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast Web - www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com Email - info@thesoccercoachingpodc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss rotation and its importance at the foundation and youth development phases. We discuss how teams can rotate players and the benefits of doing so, as well as why not all coaches seem to value player rotation. We hope you enjoy this episode and please do share your thoughts and leave a review. Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast Email - @Thesoccercoachingpodcast.com Web - www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com This episode was brought...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss taking a `game based approach` for our coaching sessions. We look at the benefits and challenges of having this approach and also discuss how we use constraints to help focus the practices around key themes. We hope you enjoy this episode! Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast Email - [email protected] Website - www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the hurdles that can come in to play when coaching at the foundation and youth development phases. We highlight the four that we believe have the greatest consequences and look at the symptoms of each and how these can playout in practice. The hope is that by shining a light on these four hurdles it might help us recognise our own challenges and/or help us better identify and support others. Please let us know what you think about our choices or if ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we are delighted to be joined by the wonderful Luis Melville who shares his background in the game of Futsal and helps us get a better understanding of the rules and benefits of this awesome game. We take a look at the game in more detail and discuss its appeal as a sport in its own right and how it can also be used to support the development of grassroots football players. We hope you get as much out of this episode as we did! Luis can be found on twitter @Lu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we review an Arsenal U10 training session and talk to the awesome coach Paul Barry who delivered it. Paul is lead coach for the U10's at Arsenal and was kind enough to allow us to observe one of his fantastic sessions and then gave up his time to share his coaching journey and talk us through the session. We hope you enjoy the episode! Email - [email protected] Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast Web – www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com This episod...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk with the wonderful Phil Beadle about how to manage behaviour and how to create a positive learning environment. Phil explains about the different types of anger and some of the strategies to manage situations when they happen and how to try to prevent them from occurring in the first place. You can also read our blog on the topic http://thesoccercoachingpodcast.com/podcasts-blog/ We hope you enjoy this episode! @SoccerCoachCast www.thesoccer...

Send us Fan Mail In our final episode of season one we have a talk around participating in tournaments, our reflections on this season and suggest some recommending reading for the summer break. Thanks for lisenting, we hope you enjoy the episode and have a great summer!!! www.thescoccercoachingpodcast.com @SoccerCoachCast This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat to the wonderful Jamie Tompkins from Bretford FC and talk about his background and experiences. Jamie shares his thoughts on coaching and working with players in the foundation and youth development phases, as well his role as first team manager at Ascot FC. We hope you enjoy the episode and please do let us know by leaving a review. Thanks. www.thesoccerchoachingpodcast.com @SoccerCoachCast This episode was...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss our experiences of coaching players 5 aside football at the foundation phase. We share our thoughts on formations, rotation, the goalkeepers role and possible constraints. Please do let us know if you have other thoughts on this format or if you've had success trying a different approach. Website: www.thesoccercoachingpodcast.com Email: [email protected] Twitter: @SoccerCoachCast This episode was brought to you in association with...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we are joined by the wonderful and knowledgeable Kevin Green who is a UEFA A license coach who has been involved in coaching for over 20 years. Kevin currently works as an FA Regional Coach Mentor for Middlesex FA. Kevin shares his thoughts on the important considerations for coaches when it comes to practice design. We are extremely grateful to Kevin for giving up his time and hope you enjoy the episode! @SoccerCoachCast [email protected] w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss player reviews, criteria, how they can be used and how they could link in to end of season awards. We have shared some examples that we have created and use on our twitter feed @SoccerCoachCast. We would love to hear you thoughts, so please do let us know how you use player reviews and manage end of season awards and if your happy to share your documents that would be great. Thanks for listening. This episode was brought to you in association wit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss if going unbeaten all season is a good thing (or not). We talk about how you could measure success and the dangers of only looking at the results of matches. We also talk about how focusing on the results and `protecting` your win/lose record may impact on the development opportunities you `allow` for your players. Mark also shares his `final thought` and Scott has a couple of rants! ;) We hope you enjoy the episode and would welcome your feedback!...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat with the wonderful Michael Hamilton (@mikehamilton_14) from AFC Wimbledon (@afcwimbledon) and discuss their approach to coaching at the Foundation and Youth Development phases. Michael shares with us his thoughts on working with coaches, the AFC Wimbledon philosophy and the importance of player ownership and working `outside` the session for both players and coaches...as well as lots more! It was a privilege to spend time with Michael and to ge...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the importance of ball mastery and technical work with the wonderful Saul Isaksson-Hurst from the My Personal Football Coach (www.mypersonalfootballcoach.com). The conversation includes thoughts on homework, SSG's, layering sessions, linking physical literacy with ball manipulation practice, making technical work fun and lots more! We also try and clarify our thoughts on if you should prioritise 1v1 or passing and why we prefer a dual approac...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we welcome Lewis Bloom from Wycombe Wanderers FC to discuss coach CPD, what makes a great session and player reviews. Lewis explains his role in supporting the Wycombe Elite Development Academy (EDA) and shares his thoughts on a number of topics relating to coaching at this level. @SoccerCoachCast [email protected] This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk with James about making the transition from playing to coaching and some of the challenges in changing your mindset from being `result` focused to being `development` focused and how these impact on your coaching principles. This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the different types of interventions, how they impact on a session and the difference between using them in training and matches. We also discuss the idea of `counter coaching` as well as the benefits of a 2-2 formation at 5 aside, England FA DNA and collaborative training games. This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat with the super knowledgeable and wonderfully accommodating Kieran Smith about his time in Spain and his passion for Spanish football. We discuss how this influenced his coaching methodology and take a closer look as how to use `rondos` and the importance of `Positional Play`. Kieran also explains how he uses `layering`, the difference between difficulty and complexity and the importance of having an `end goal` as a coach. I hope you enjoy the episode a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss a question sent in from Santi (who is coaching in the Philippines) around the difference between ball rolling time (BRT) and Active Learning Time (ALT). We then discuss the idea of Collaborative Training Matches (CTM`s) as a tool for supporting training and providing a bridge between training and matches. This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly. Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading s...

Send us Fan Mail So why is it not about `winning v’s development`….? Football (soccer) is a sport. And sport is by definition: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Compete: “strive to win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.” This means that `wining` (and losing) are intrinsically built into sport and therefore are built in to football (soccer)…you can’t remove it or ...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 3 – What is the `coaching environment`… and how important is it? · What do we mean by the environment? - Not the weather or physical conditions. - It is the combination of Culture, Philosophy, Values, Expectations and Habits. - Its the intangibles (and tangibles) that impact on the practical and physical aspects of the session. ·...

Send us Fan Mail In our last episode we spoke about the key ingredients that can make for a fun and effective coaching session. We came up with 10 elements that we felt should be considered and tried to explain why we believed they were important. If you haven’t already done so please do listen to episode one and let us know what you think. As equally important as what goes into the training, is what goes into the match days. So for this episode Mark and I are delighted to have the super tale...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the ingredients that help make for a fun and effective soccer coaching training session. We explore the ten things to consider for your sessions that may help maximise the learning and development potential of the session, and ensure your players are challenged, enjoy and get the most out of the training. 1) PLANNING – Session plans / Structure / Challenges / STEP / Progression / The Unexpected 2) A CLEAR THEME - Coaching points / Curriculum ...