The Foundation Phase is a crucial time for young players. From the ages of eight- to 12-years-old, they will hopefully build the skills and confidence to underpin a lifetime of participation and further development in the game. As coaches, our job is to facilitate this process and provide varied and stimulating learning environments. Below, Lee Hodge, Head of Academy Coaching at Plymouth Argyle FC, shares his insights from the world of youth football, as he outlines his approach to developing 8-12 year-old players. In This…
player centred approach
Rob Sherman explains the player-centred approach and asks whether it is exclusive to youth development. Rob has over 30 years’ experience, starting in amateur leagues before graduating to be an Area Coach for the Welsh FA and coach of Wales U16. After several years as the Welsh National Player Development Manager and Technical Director, in 2007 he became High Performance Manager at New Zealand Football and coached at FIFA events and two Olympics. After establishing the Asia Pacific Football Academy, Rob returned to New Zealand…
Coaching soccer can be complex. It requires knowledge, preparation, open-mindedness, willingness to learn, and, perhaps most importantly, an ability to understand, relate to, and work with people. The best soccer coaches take a principle-driven approach to teaching, get to know their players as human beings in order to help them develop as athletes, and are proficient communicators, adept in both session design and delivery. The need for such a vast skill set may seem daunting to new coaches, but it’s something that can be developed…
Problem-solving is crucial in player development. In this article, Founder of Changing the Game Project, John O’Sullivan shares an excellent article on the importance of guiding children towards solutions and creating autonomy in learning environments. Imagine you went to your child’s algebra class and got to be a fly on the wall. Imagine the teacher was being assessed on your child’s test results in two days. Now imagine that instead of teaching your child how to problem solve, and the concepts behind doing algebra problems,…
In this Masterclass Discussion, PDP Editor Dave Wright is joined by Reed Maltbie for a fascinating and wide ranging conversation on youth development. Reed is a TEDx Speaker, has a Masters in Sports Psychology & Early Childhood Education and is founder of Coaches Realm & Raising Excellence. In this conversation, Reed shares some excellent insights into the challenges of organisational culture and how program leaders can make change, the importance of parent education and how coaches can build stronger relationships with parents. Plus, Reed and…
In this excellent Masterclass Discussion, former New Zealand Football & Welsh FA Technical Director, Rob Sherman joins PDP Editor, Dave Wright for an in depth discussion on the player centred approach and talent development. Rob has a wealth of experience in coaching and coach education and shares his experience and his own model of player development. This is a must watch for coaches who want to learn from one of the best educators in the business. Image Source: depositphotos.com