Talent Identification is an essential component of youth football; in order to help players develop, we must identify both their potential and the environment(s) in which they can receive an appropriate variety of challenges. But is our current approach to Talent ID giving kids the best opportunities to enjoy the game and thrive? Below, Nick Levett, former Head of Talent ID at the English FA, discusses competing perceptions of talent, the potential pitfalls of assessing talent in younger age groups, and how we could improve…
Coaching Guides
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…
Individual duels comprise a large part of any football match. So it’s vital that our players feel comfortable beating defenders and facing opponents one-on-one. Below, we examine why 1v1s are so important, discuss the different skills that can help players to be 1v1 dominant, and present some practical examples of exercises to help players improve their dribbling, ball retention, and composure in 1v1 situations. In This Article The Importance of 1v1s The ability to beat opponents is a vital skill. Football matches are often a…
Receiving, retention, and mastery of the ball are critical skills for young players to learn. An individual’s first touch and overall ball control will have a massive impact on both their competence and their confidence when playing the game, and it’s vital that we can effectively help kids develop these skills. Below, we examine why it’s so important to help players improve their ball control, and discuss some of the best ways to help kids build a connection with the ball. In This Article Helping…
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…
A player’s stamina can impact their performance, development, and even their enjoyment of the game. As such, endurance training for soccer is an increasingly important part of many coaches’ training programs. But what does stamina entail? And how can we help young players increase their stamina while supporting the other aspects of their development? Below, we consider the importance of stamina in soccer, and how to train fitness in our sessions. In This Article What Is Stamina? According to PDP Coaching Advisor, Dan Cooke, stamina…
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…
Ball mastery is a fundamental part of skill acquisition and football development. The skills and attributes children learn and hone during this part of their footballing journey lay the foundations for more complex team-based and tactical learnings later on. A ball mastery session gives players the confidence to experiment with the ball and enjoy playing — hopefully providing the basis for a lifetime of participation in the sport. Below, we explain the meaning of ball mastery, examine why it’s so important, and look at some…
7v7 Soccer is another crucial step on the way from small-sided games to 11v11. But as players get slightly closer to the adult game, how much should coaches think about shapes and systems? Below, we discuss what makes a good formation, explain how to use team shape to facilitate player development, and consider some of the best 7v7 soccer formations. In This Article Choosing the Best 7v7 Soccer Formations What is the best soccer formation for 7v7? It’s different for every team, and will depend…
Team talks are an important part of gameday. A good team talk will engage our players, encourage them to reflect on the game, and help them to consolidate their learning. This Q&A looks at why they’re so important and explores the different opportunities to communicate with our players on gameday — guiding us on how we can make these crucial interventions more effective. In This Article Why Do We Give Team Talks? Effective communication is key to being a good coach. And team talks before,…
An expert guide to football conditioning. Professional coaches demonstrate the best football conditioning workouts, and how to add them to your sessions. What is conditioning in football, and why is it important? Advances in sports science have seen academies place a greater emphasis on football conditioning coaching in order to reduce injuries and support the development of their young players. But this vital area of coaching is relevant at all levels of the game, from professional clubs to grassroots environments. Below, we consider the value…
Many coaches wonder about the best way to allocate playing time within their team. But when deciding whether to give kids equal playing time in youth soccer, there is no blanket rule. Factors like the environment we’re coaching in, the individual needs of our players, and what we’re trying to achieve as a team will all impact our approach. To establish the best course of action for our team, we should consider the various impacts of how we allocate playing time, as well as how…
PDP Co-Founder Dave Wright & PDP Technical Advisor Dan Wright discuss 9v9 formations in youth soccer In many countries, 9v9 soccer represents the final step on the way to 11-a-side games. But while this game format is an opportunity to prepare players for larger-sided matches on bigger pitches, we should be careful not to neglect our players’ individual development for the sake of playing a specific formation. Instead of seeking the “best” 9v9 soccer formations, we might be better off thinking about the best formation…
Coaching kids soccer can be challenging, in order to help the majority of coaches (and therefore, the majority of players), we need to arm volunteer coaches with everything they need to get started putting on great sessions for 6-12 year old players. So we put together an introduction to soccer coaching course which we believe is missing from the world of coach education. We know that the majority of coaches out there are volunteers – first time coaches, who may not have a background in…
PDP Co-Founder Dave Wright & Positive Psychology expert Lara Mossman discussing how to control emotions in sports. We can’t expect youth soccer players to show great emotional control all of the time. It’s sometimes easy to forget, but they’re not mini-adults — they don’t have the same capacity to control their emotions as we do, and we shouldn’t expect them to. But that doesn’t mean we can’t help. We can still teach our young players how to understand and manage their emotions. And this education…
PDP Co-Founder Dave Wright & Former New Zealand Women’s Head Coach Tony Readings, discussing the positives and potential pitfalls for girls in mixed soccer. Is it better for female soccer players to play in boys’ teams? Playing mixed soccer can provide both technical benefits and social challenges. As coaches, we must strike a balance that pushes our players without hindering their development or enjoyment of the game. Whether it’s best for a girl to play on boys’ teams depends upon a variety of factors that…
PDP’s latest course covers the fundamentals of effective planning and session design for a youth soccer environment. By utilizing the experience of professional coaches and industry experts, we have created a course that teaches coaches how to design, organize, and deliver high-quality training sessions at all levels of participation. Participants will learn about the fundamentals of planning, how to place player development at the heart of session design, the different types of practice session, key communication and intervention techniques, and the value of reflection. Applying…