Reader,
It’s fair to say that most coaches get into coaching football because they love the game. The speed, the skill, the strategy – they all make football an addictive sport – the beautiful game.
So, with that love of the game in mind, many coaches focus on the tactics, “The X’s & O’s” because implementing a strategy to successfully win a game feels good. Helping players learn different formations, or how to manage the game is all part of their football education too.
As children progress through organised football environments, they are likely exposed to 5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and on to 11v11. Some federations are starting to delay the rush to 11v11 even further (quite rightly in my view) but coaches can often be in a rush to focus on the tactical before the technical or social.
I often wonder if this is due to the concept of control? It’s important to understand where the word ‘coach’ comes from, the perception of the role and how coaches can often try to control too much. The game is random, we have to embrace the chaos and accept that at times there will be plenty we cannot control.
However, understanding the game, supporting players with knowledge and helping them find solutions to football problems is important. Whether it’s better understanding formations like the 1-4-3-3 and the variations within it, or trying to support players’ awareness of where to be at certain moments in the game, the coach has a role to play. We have a responsibility to study the game and be a sounding board to players.
While we may know (some of) the answers, sometimes it’s better to guide the player towards it, return serve with a question, or even better, create tasks that assist the player in solving the problem themselves.
Three things to consider.
- Consider how you carry yourself on the sideline on game day. Do you “joystick coach” and control the players actions by telling them what to do? Or do you support the development of a game plan through the week and allow the players to implement it?
- Do you always play the same formation? Or do you support the players to understand different shapes and strategies.
- Do you ever allow the players to choose their formation and positions? (And would this make you uncomfortable?)
One thing for you to try this week.
Check out this replay of one of our most popular ever Masterclass Webinars with Head of Coach Education at The Belgian FA, Kris Van der Haegen as he shares insights into how the Belgian system shifted their approach to youth development, using small sided games as a key driver in player development.
One critical resource on the topic.
If you have a tactical outcome you’re focussed on, can you create a small sided game or fully opposed session that presents a problem that players need to solve?
