Coaching for Character is about the players working on character building, developing character strengths and using the game of football to deliver this personal growth. This is not the time for a tactical masterclass from the coach, but a time for the players to work together, face challenges and get success. From a coaching perspective, use your observation and listening skills, ask questions and allow the sessions to flow.
How Coaching for Character Works
- Watch the video of Lara & Dave discussing the character trait.
- Make some notes as to how this applies to your team or key points you want to remember.
- View the two session plan videos presented by Dave with practices for you to implement with your players on the grass.
- Download the PDF session plan of the practice, read through the rules, possible constraints and considerations and adapt the practice for your players.
Section 1: Team Work & Collaboration
Section 2: Resilience & Self-Regulation
Section 3: Perseverance & Determination
Section 4: Perseverance & Determination
Section 1: Team Work & Collaboration
Team sport is about collaboration. In this module Positive Psychology expert, Lara Mossman is hosted by PDP Co-Founder, Dave Wright to discuss how coaches can develop team work, some of the research around communication and how you can support your players in working together more effectively.
Introduction Video: Team Work & Collaboration in Football
Key Points
- Fun factor at the forefront
- Team work is built on respect
- Encouraging open, honest, respectful peer to peer communication
- The environment is made up of interactions
- Implement player led sessions and facilitate autonomy supportive environments
Video Session Plan 1
Takeaways:
- Communication and co-operation
- Working in pairs
- Defensive intelligence and desire
- Transition
- Patience in possession
- Combination play
- Collective defending
- Finishing
Click here to download Session Plan 1 PDF
Video Session Plan 2
Takeaways:
- Defending in groups
- Communication
- Delay and deny
- Screening and blocking
- Combination play
- Split passes
- Creativity on the ball
- Resilience 1v1
Click here to download Session Plan 2 PDF
Additional Resources
- How many times should I tell you? – Prof. Stephen Rollnick
- Are we competing or collaborating? – James Vaughan
- Google It: How a Tech Giant Builds Great Teams – Reed Maltbie
- Team Work & Problem Solving – Prof. Stephen Rollnick
- Player Motivation – James Vaughan & Dan Wright
- Collective Brilliance – Lara Mossman
- How to I improve team work and work rate? – Dan Wright & Dave Wright
- 7 Steps to Self Motivated Decision Makers – Lara Mossman
- Praise vs. Affirmation – Prof. Stephen Rollnick
- Sports Psychology with Dan Abrahams
- Handshakes, Bullets & BBQs: Self Interest, Shame and Regret in Football Coaching – Prof. William A. Harper
Section 2: Resilience & Self-Regulation
In this module PDP Co-Founder, Dave Wright hosts Positive Psychology expert Lara Mossman for a conversation on resilience, how we develop it and the value of young players learning how to self-regulate and manage stress and anxiety in sport.
Introduction Video: Resilience & Self-Regulation
Key Points
- What is grit and is it a legitimate concept?
- The value of stretching players
- Emotional control
- Loss of self-regulation and dealing with adversity
- The role of mindfulness and self-awareness
Video Session Plan 1
Takeaways
- Coping under pressure
- Bravery and retention on the ball
- Determination 1v1
- Composure through failure
- Confidence to play forward
- Dribbling and running with the ball
- Support and movement off the ball
Click here to download Session Plan 1 PDF
Video Session Plan 2
Takeaways
- Switching play
- Width and dispersal
- Coping with underloads
- Composure in possession
- Passing and receiving skills
- Transition
- Finishing
Click here to download Session Plan 2 PDF
Additional Resources
- Live Session: Dealing with Pressure – Dave Wright
- Building Mental Strength – John Haime
- 6 Ways to Build Emotional Muscle for Football – John Haime
- Live Session: Switching Play – Dave Wright
- Interview: Michael Inglis – Sports Psychologist – Lara Mossman
- Using Sport to Help Forge Resilience – Dr. Martin J Turner
- The Magic of Mindfulness – Susan Salzbrenner
- 7 Ways to Embrace Pressure – John Haime
- How can I help my players with emotional control? – Lara Mossman, Dan Wright & Dave Wright
- Sports Psychology with Dan Abrahams
Section 3: Perseverance & Determination
Perseverance & Determination are life skills we want to help young players develop through sport. In this module, Positive Psychology Expert, Lara Mossman & PDP Co-Founder, Dave Wright discuss how you can support players in this area and deliver some practical sessions on the grass.
Introduction Video: Perseverance & Determination
Key Points
- Encourage persistence
- Set challenges to test the players and be clear as to why
- Affirm behaviour that aligns with the character traits
- Promote peer to peer feedback and encouragement
Video Session Plan 1
Takeaways:
- Quick reactions in transition
- Bravery in defence
- Speed of recovery and desire off the ball
- Positive forward runs
- Determination when defending outnumbered
- Quick decisions on the ball
Click here to download Session Plan 1 PDF
Video Session Plan 2
Takeaways
- Reinforce excellent pressing behaviours
- Praise high energy movement to support the ball
- Look for determination and persistence in 1v1s
- Observe whether players show desire when outnumbered
- Encourage composure when taking on a new role
- Ensure players value discomfort of a new challenge
Click here to download Session Plan 2 PDF
Additional Resources
- 7 Steps to Self Motivated Decision Makers – Lara Mossman
- Who We Are is How We Play – James Vaughan
- Sports Psychology with Dan Abrahams
- Creating Positive Sports Environments – Lara Mossman
- From Caution to Courage: The Role of Character Strengths in Coaching – Lara Mossman
- How can I help my players motivation? Dan Wright, James Vaughan & Dave Wright
- Player Motivation with James Vaughan & Dan Wright
- The Path to Excellence: Developing Warriors Not Winners – Reed Maltbie
- Valuing Discomfort – James Vaughan
Section 4: Perseverance & Determination
In this module Positive Psychology expert, Lara Mossman is hosted by PDP Co-Founder, Dave Wright to discuss how we can develop leadership characteristics with developing players.
Introduction Video: Leadership & Perspective
Key Points
- Encourage collaboration
- Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities
- Promote player led conversations and peer to peer feedback
- For leadership to flourish, coaches need to be autonomy supportive
Video Session Plan 1
Takeaways
- Communication
- Patience in and out of possession
- Problem solving under pressure
- Passing and receiving skills
- First touch
- Quick decisions
- Clinical finishing
Click here to download Session Plan 1 PDF
Video Session Plan 2
Takeaways:
- Team work and leadership in possession
- Captains or leadership group having autonomy of the game plan and shape
- Patience in possession & support for team mates
- Fast finishing
- Desire to get back on the ball
- Creativity and risk taking
- Collaboration in build up
Click here to download Session Plan 2 PDF
Additional Resources
- How do I coach team captain attributes? – Dan Wright & Dave Wright
- From Caution to Courage: The Role of Character Strengths in Coaching – Lara Mossman
- The Academy Manager – Huw Jennings
- Ranieri: The Art of Leadership – Dave Wright
- Leadership & Culture in Coaching – Dr. John Alder
- Applying Positive Psychology with Lara Mossman
- Leadership in the Age of Complexity – Prof. William A. Harper
- The Leader Who Listened – Mark Upton
- Sports Psychology with Dan Abrahams
- Creating Positive Sports Environments – Lara Mossman
Section 5: Bravery & Courage
In this module Positive Psychology expert, Lara Mossman will outline what bravery and courage are from a positive psychology perspective. Lara discusses both theory and practical concepts for coaches to consider on the grass with PDP Co-Founder, Dave Wright.
Introduction Video: Bravery & Courage in Football
Key Points
- Encourage mistakes and risk taking
- Promote a growth mindset
- Affirm behaviour that aligns with the character traits
- Encourage discussion between team mates
Video Session Plan 1
Takeaways:
- Encourage bravery on the ball
- Team mates need to take risks
- Split passes
- Receiving techniques
- Communication
- Promote support for each other
Click here to download Session Plan 1 PDF
Video Session Plan 2
Takeaways:
- Encourage risky passes
- Praise bravery in or out of possession
- Forward runs
- Positive intent
- Patience and confidence on the ball
- Encourage courageous 1v1s
Click here to download Session Plan 2 PDF
Additional Resources
- Player Motivation – James Vaughan & Dan Wright
- From Caution to Courage: The Role of Character Strengths in Coaching – Lara Mossman
- Applying Positive Psychology with Lara Mossman
- How can I help my players with emotional control? – Lara Mossman, Dave Wright & Dan Wright
- The Road to Success – Lara Mossman
- Sports Psychology with Dan Abrahams
- How can I improve the motivation of my players? – James Vaughan, Dan Wright & Dave Wright
- Understanding Identity with Dr. Suze Brown
- Creating Positive Sports Environments – Lara Mossman
- The Other Side of Failure – Reed Maltbie
