Ajay Smith
Ajay Smith is a former football coach and lead writer for PDP. Ajay specialises in taking complex topics and breaking them down into simple, valuable guides for coaches.
Articles by Ajay Smith
Goalkeepers occupy a unique position on the pitch, requiring a highly specific skill set. But as the demands of the modern game require ‘keepers to resemble outfield players more closely, should we adapt our approach to goalkeeper training? Here, we discuss when young players should specialise as goalkeepers, consider the specific skills required by goalkeepers today, and explain how a multisport approach can help young players to develop key skills and physical attributes. Click here to watch the full Masterclass Discussion with Yilmaz Aksoy In…
Obtaining a coaching license is a great way to learn and progress on your coaching journey. But do we place too much emphasis on formal coaching qualifications? And how important are informal learning opportunities? In this Q+A, we consider the role of formal soccer coaching courses, explain how to get the most from them, and discuss the value of informal learning experiences. In This Article Do Coaching License Levels Matter? What are the different soccer coaching licenses, and is there much difference between them? “I…
Soccer warm ups are excellent ways to engage players as soon as they arrive at training, helping them to loosen up and priming them to learn. But should our approach be different on game day? In this Q&A, we explain the value of warm ups, examine what makes a good warm up routine, and look at how to successfully use warm up activities as part of our pregame preparation. In This Article Why Do We Use Soccer Warm Ups? “From a physical perspective, we want…
Coaching football is a complex activity, requiring a wide array of different skills. But there are several simple measures that all coaches — new and experienced — can take in order to improve. Below, PDP Co-Founder Dave Wright examines some of the most important aspects of football coaching, and offers practical advice for coaches seeking to improve the way they work with their players. In This Article Understanding Coaching A key step to becoming a better coach is understanding what coaching football…
Curriculums can be an invaluable source of guidance for coaches. They help us to cover a complete range of themes and topics, provide a framework for planning sessions across an entire season, and facilitate the consistent application of ideas and playing philosophies in all teams within a club or programme. Below, we explore the benefits of using a curriculum, and discuss ways that coaches and programme directors can implement curriculums within their clubs. In This Article Creating a Framework for Session Design The strictness with…
Creating a positive team culture is an important part of building a strong team and stimulating an effective learning environment. But what factors influence team culture, and how can we manipulate them to give our players the best possible experiences? Below, we consider what makes culture, how to build a team culture in a grassroots setting, and the importance of forging shared values with our players. In This Article What Is a Team Culture? Creating Shared Values in Sports Building Team Culture and Getting Buy-In…
Playing models can provide a valuable framework around which to develop playing philosophies and teach key principles of the game. Below, we discuss a playing model developed as an example by the PDP team, and how it can guide coaches and programme administrators in building team identities and facilitating player development. In This Article Coaching Moments of the Game The PDP Playing Model works by breaking the game down into distinct moments: In Possession, Out of Possession, and Moments of Transition. This simplified approach enables…
The debate around hard work vs. talent, and which is more important, can be a contentious one among coaches. But perhaps our focus should not be deciding whether talent beats hard work, or vice versa, but determining the best ways to support all of the individuals within our team, regardless of ability. In this Q&A, we discuss the definition of talent and the pitfalls of early talent identification, address the challenges of working with players of different abilities, and consider how to work with a…
Creating a soccer training schedule for an entire season takes careful planning. We need to consider the individuals we’re working with, our environment, what our players want to achieve, and then how we can help them accomplish their goals within those parameters. But the process isn’t necessarily as complicated as it seems. Below, we discuss the key components of a successful training program, how to adapt it when circumstances require, and how to create an appropriate training schedule for our own teams. In This Article…
Player Development Project sits down with Andrew Watt, Youth Development Phase Manager at Fulham FC, to discuss how the Premier League club supports players across the U9-U16 age groups. Below, Andrew provides insights into the Fulham Academy’s principles, his views on talent identification, the different approaches to coaching kids from U9s all the way through to U16s, and how to manage the transitions to different game formats. He also offers practical advice on session design, the merits of isolated and opposed practices, and how to…
Performance analysis has become a big part of professional soccer, in both the senior game and at academy level. But, with a relatively modest setup, we can also utilize the benefits of analysis and analytics in grassroots environments. In this Q&A, we explore how to capture worthwhile video footage on gameday, use that footage to gather data, and effectively make use of the results to support player development. In This Article Can You Implement Performance Analysis in Grassroots Environments? What is performance analysis in sport,…
The FA’s Four Corner Model can be a useful tool for coaches. But to use it effectively, we need to understand both its purpose and its limitations, and learn how to apply it in a way that supports our coaching without governing our approach. All coaches need guidance on how best to support their players, and the Four Corner Model can provide an excellent framework for session design and player development, provided we use it correctly. In this article What is The FA Four Corner…