Can play-based sessions lead to better learning?

Hi Everyone, welcome to another edition of the coach insight newsletter. I came across a tweet I didn’t save, but they were talking through the coaches to have got the most out of their squad are usually the ones with the best man management. This got me thinking of the coaching course and info out there, is there enough on connecting with players, and handling different situations with players both on a football and personal level? Not sure, if you have anything then please do let me know. Anyway, this week we have help on creating play-based sessions, principles of non-linear pedagogy, a thread on mental health and much more.

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The Top Ten

1. Opening this week is a thread on creating play-based sessions by Shane Smith. Smith goes on to outline how so much learning occurs in this type of environment, that coaches should use free play, warm-ups, and games to develop skills and decision-making in players that have so many beneficial outcomes.

   Shane Smith @ShaneSmith197

   1/8. How to create a play based coaching environment. The starting point to creating a consistent, play based coaching environment is to realise that so much learning occurs within this environment. When decisions are made by the players themselves. A key aspect of coaching.

2. Next up is an article from Mark Upton on the 7 principles of non-linear pedagogy. This should help you start to understand how to take into consideration the elements you need to learn to select and control their actions based on the dynamic nature of football. https://medium.com/my-fastest-mile/7-principles-of-a-nonlinear-pedagogy-b91c1979c20e

3. A really nice breakdown of principles of attacking, defending, and transition by the Tactical Thinker team. One to keep to hand out to players. https://www.dropbox.com/s/egx4bb7105tup4o/TACTICAL%20THINKER%20-%20TACTICAL%20MAP%202.pdf?dl=0

4. The Foundation age coaching team here with their 5 ideas to help you evolve your coach delivery. From focusing on the individual, to observing more, and playing with the end in mind, so handy tip to think through.

   Foundation Age Coaching @FAgeCoaching

   Looking to try and adapt your coaching in the new year? Then check out these 5 ideas on what you can do to evolve and improve your coach delivery (thread 🧵)

5. Sonja Blignaut here with an article on creating spaces for people to learn and explore. whilst not directly related to football. It’s very transferable, and essentially by creating a coherent explore space, players will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the game and become more adaptable, resilient, and creative. https://sonjablignaut.medium.com/enabling-coherent-explore-spaces-b9a3ac99d1c5

6. I chose this next thread by Brad Stulberg because not enough is written about mental health in sports. For coaches of all kinds (professional or amateur), coaching can be a lonely and thankless task. We all need to recognise our signs and seek help when needed.

   Brad Stulberg @BStulberg

   We live in a culture that promotes mental illness, not well-being or flourishing. What the culture values: •Delusion •Distraction •Optimization at all costs •Bulletproof What mental health values: •Acceptance •Presence •Patience •Vulnerability •Community Details:

7. Whilst this might be a thread of threads, it’s full of so much good content that I had to share, take your time and go through it, you won’t regret it!

   Philip O'Callaghan 🎾 @Mr_Tennis_Coach

   This time last year I started posting reviews of research papers/ books chapters each week There is so much powerful knowledge in this literature but it can be inaccessible for coaches. These were my 10 most popular 'academic' threads that will help you improve your coaching

8. Alex Sarama with an interesting thread summarising a podcast on skill acquisition. One of the key points I took away was how the traditional method of coach is showing how something should be done (for example a shooting technique) but coaching is now moving to letting players explore how they will get something done or giving them multiples way of doing something.

   Alex Sarama @AlexJSarama

   The Swedish Basketball Federation are the first🏀 federation in the world to adopt an ecological framework with their coach and player development. What does this mean in-context, and how can coaches, teams and other organisations benefit from incorporating these ideas?

   

9. Short thread from the plan it coach team but is no less important. The 3 quick ways to improve as a coach are rapport building, asking open questions, and listening. what would be your 3 top quick tips for improving as a coach?

   Plan It Coach @PlanItCoach

   Anybody can throw on a pair of boots and call themself a coach. But few do it well. World class coaches spend decades putting in countless hours honing their skills on the grass. Here's 3 proven tips, you can start to use today:

10. Last up is some grassroots training guides from David Poncia. From U8 to U18.

    David Poncia @Daveyp1180

    My #SundayShare Grassroots training guides I put together. Hopefully it helps with planning as most only get 1 hour a week @SundayShare10 @HubFcc @TheCoachesZone @CoachingFamily @TheS_Resource @SessionShareNet @PlanItCoach @WinningCoaches @CoachHelp3 #AlwaysImproving

    

    

    

    

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