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Blog posts

  • Insight and analysis

    In the zone: The emphatic goal-scoring impact of football's second six-yard box

    When we look at where goals are scored from, we consistently see the largest percentage of goals scored in…

  • Insight and analysis

    Observing core moves and how to bring them into your own environment

    Do your players stand out 1v1 when taking players on, but find it hard to know when to lend it to a teammate…

  • Insight and analysis

    Using insight to inform practice design: Goalscoring insights and implications

    In our recent blog post we discovered that the game at the ‘top level’ does not always replicate the game…

  • Insight and analysis

    Using insight to inform realistic practice design

    Collecting objective insight is a great way to measure what is happening within games.  Si Houston, Claire…

  • Insight and analysis

    Unlocking success: Spain's central play at the Women's World Cup

    There are many different ways to win a game of football, from fast counter-attacking to set play specialists…

  • Insight and analysis

    Finishing from inside the box: 'In it to win it'

    9 out of 10 (90%) open play goals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup were scored from inside the box.  In…

  • Insight and analysis

    Transformational Coaching: Developing talent through the eyes of Lydia Bedford

    Lydia Bedford has been in the headlines in recent weeks after being announced as Brentford FC U18s Head Coach…

  • Insight and analysis

    Vivianne Miedema: What makes her so prolific in front of goal?

    Five times FIFA Women's World Player of the Year and England record breaker Kelly Smith joins FA Women's National…

  • Insight and analysis

    FIFA's in contest metric - The fight for possession

    From previous blogs we have seen that transition plays a key role in gaining or losing possession, however…

  • Insight and analysis

    Turning: The key to unlocking defences

    The month of March saw us focus on the in-possession core skill of turning. If we can support our players…

  • Insight and analysis

    Men's World Cup 2022 : Assists and how to defend against key passes

    172 goals were scored at the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022, just under 3 per game.  But how many of these…

  • Insight and analysis

    Top tips for coaching transition

    As we have shown in our previous blogs transition happens a lot, and the more comfortable we become with it…

  • Insight and analysis

    Attacking third transition impact on goal scoring

    Across the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 a total of 1091 shots featured possession starting from a transition…

  • Insight and analysis

    Mid third transition and the six capabilities

    The middle third is the area of the pitch where transition happens most often and teams at the FIFA Men’s World…

  • Insight and analysis

    2 and 3 player core moves in goalscoring

    If your players have mastered the individual tactics of being able to stay on the ball themselves, then it…

  • Insight and analysis

    Exploring throw-ins from the FIFA Men's World Cup 2022

    Ben Futcher, FA Youth Coach Educator, and Si Houston, Game Insights Analyst explored throw-ins from the World…

  • Insight and analysis

    Transition in the defensive third (FIFA Men's World Cup 2022)

    As we explored in our previous blog teams at the Men’s World Cup 2022 had an average of 98 transitions per…

  • Insight and analysis

    Developing players like Jamal Musiala: Encouraging our players to stay on the ball

    Jamal Musiala took the World Cup by storm. Despite a quite disappointing Germany display at the Qatar based…

  • Insight and analysis

    Coming alive when the ball goes dead: Exploring Men's World Cup 2022 restarts

    The concept of ‘ball in play’ time has risen to prominence in the last few years and the football world has…

  • Insight and analysis

    Exploring the importance of transition

    68% of all possession starts across the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 came from transition.  This is consistent…

  • Insight and analysis

    Playing position impact on opportunities to perform out of possession core skills

    No matter where or who we coach, it is important we give our players the opportunities to experience different…

  • Insight and analysis

    Playing position impact on opportunities to perform in possession core skills

    No matter where or who we coach, it is important we give our players the opportunities to experience different…

  • Insight and analysis

    Game changers: England's use of substitutions

    The game we know and love is constantly evolving, but there have been few rule changes in recent years more…

  • Insight and analysis

    Possession Starts at the Women's Euros

    Kick offs, throw ins, goal kicks, corners and free kicks. They happen in every game. From coaching your U8…