Can academic research transform your coaching?

Hi Everyone, welcome to 2023, and Happy New Year! if it’s your first time, this is the Coach Insights newsletter giving out a bi-weekly round-up of all things coaching, specifically around football/soccer.

This week we have a look into the benefits of an ecological approach to coaching, developing positive relationships with your players, a couple of really insightful threads, and much more. On to the top ten!

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The Top Ten

1. This excellent article from Julian Khalili talks through his belief that academic research on coaching can transform your ability to coach. He shares his personal experiences in applying various findings from research in different environments with people of various ages. Two of his key takeaways - a coach's responsibility to best serve the people they work with can sometimes be in conflict with their culturally held beliefs and a more ecological approach to coaching can be more enjoyable and expedite learning. https://makesensesoccer.wordpress.com/2022/12/12/learning-to-explore/

2. Please go listen to this podcast from Justin Cochrane and the TTG team, you won’t be disappointed. It’s short and snappy and will help in your thinking of session design and coaching.

3. Every coach aspires to have a positive relationship, well if you need some tips, the Coaching Manual team has just that in this short article. https://www.thecoachingmanual.com/blog/how-to-develop-positive-relationships-with-players

4. A nice thread here from Bene Schniderbauer on his 16 important details of the Rondo.

   Bene Schneiderbauer @thebenesb

   "Rondo, rondo, rondo. Every. Single. Day. It's the best exercise there is. You learn responsibility and not to lose the ball. If you lose the ball, you go in the middle. Pum-pum-pum-pum, always one touch.” (Xavi) You can teach almost anything in a rondo. 16 Important Details:

   

5. The England football learning team with a thread about passing and getting the most out of coaching it with your players. Whilst not the most mind-blowing it has some important concepts, especially in the links to their articles, that can sometimes be forgotten.

   England Football Learning @EnglandLearning

   𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜: It can be anything from a swift one-two past an opponent, to a mesmerising diagonal ball that switches the play ⚽ But how you can help your players develop it? 🤔 🧵1/3

6. A nice story from the TGG team on Tony Whelan, Manchester United's Academy Programme Adviser. You get to hear about his journey and thoughts on player development. He emphasizes the importance of having fun and joyous experiences and not getting carried away about being professional too soon. He also believes that emotional intelligence, being coachable, and having a strong character are important qualities in young players. https://trainingground.guru/articles/tony-whelan-custodian-of-the-culture-at-manchester-united-academy

7. Another thread! but this time it’s David Laszlo on the role of implicit learning in training. The key takeaway is that implicit learning can be an effective method for conveying a game model to players because it allows them to learn through experience and discovery, rather than being told what to do.

   David Laszlo @David_laslo93

   The role of implicit learning in training [Thread] ⚽️⚽️Implicit learning is a way of acquiring new knowledge or skills through experience and discovery, rather than explicit instruction.

8. I know it’s another thread but it’s another great one to go through especially when Tom Hartley (talent and coach developer at UK Coaching) makes some great points on not knowing, dialing up disruption, making lasting change, and holding time to tune your craft.

   Tom Hartley @thomaswhartley

   Reflecting on some guiding principles that I have developed through the year, helping me with my coaching practice These 'guiding stars' have helped me push beyond my comfort zone and [hopefully] get better on and off the pitch...🧵

9. Another Bene Schniderbauer post but this time on optimising your behaviour for coaching. Again lots to think through and takeaway.

   Bene Schneiderbauer @thebenesb

   Being a coach is complex. You are a technical coach, a tactician, a psychologist, an organizer, an athletic coach, and more in one. This can be overwhelming. Here is what I do to optimize my own behavior:

10. We’ll end on this post from the dutch football development manager Jorg Van Der Breggen. How can we get more unorganised, spontaneous elements into our sessions?

    Jorg van der Breggen @JvanderB78

    “…. They just have to make sure not to ruin the raw material they take in.” About street, unorganized, spontaneous football 👇🏼 @VascodaGama ⚽️❤️

    

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That’s it for this week. Thanks again for joining us. If you know anyone who wants to join our band of football/soccer coaching enthusiasts please share the links below.