When we went to u11 we nearly folded due to lack of players, so we took on some kids who’d never had any coaching into an experienced team who had. It really showed, their technical ability, positional sense and decision making were all not quite right…
I've been able to run the same session for an U7 and U15 side. Small alterations to pitch size, target areas/goals. Personally for me an U7 session would look more at the technique of some of the core skills where as my U15's in the same session we would…
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing the challenges you are having with your 8 year olds. Rest assured, it is not an uncommon one simply because they are 8 year old children...... and want to PLAY, whatever that looks like. Naturally, this needs to be safe both…
In this blog, The FA’s coach development officer, Sarah Lowden discusses how line ball games can be used, how they can be adapted, and the benefits and returns of these types of practices.
What is it?
A line ball game takes place in an area of space…
Sam Griffiths, The FA's coach developer, discusses player freedom.
There is a lot of info out there on player freedom and what this means for you as a coach and what it looks and feels like for a player. I have witnessed lots of coaches and players…
We’ve discussed in previous blogs that if you want to give your players the opportunity to practice core skills with high levels of repetition, small-sided games such as 3v3 are key. But have you ever stopped to think how these formats can also provide…
172 goals were scored at the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022, just under 3 per game. But how many of these goals featured an assist? And what did these assists look like? Within this blog, we will delve deeper into the insight from the tournament, which will…
Hi Matthew, first of all I hope you are enjoying your experience as a new coach.
In relation to the information you have shared above, it sounds like you are doing a great job in planning for variety within your practice sessions. The use of 'ball in…
Not sure how to start your sessions now you’re back training again? Here’s why you should think about introducing your players to arrival activities.
Arrival activities provide the opportunity for players (who often arrive at different times) to get…
Individual tactics require players to recognise the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and their opponent to gain an advantage in different game scenarios. Game Insights analyst, Luke Saunders, explores what individual tactics look like and the impact…
