Intra-age sessions, good or bad?

Hi Everyone, welcome to another issue of my coach insight newsletter. For those who are new here, you will find my top ten most interesting findings in the world of coaching.

As the title suggests we’ll be looking at an article about intra-age sessions. it’s something that I know a few professional academies have been using or trialling and there can be lots of benefits to it. Outside of the professional setting though there has to be a little caution about using it in a semi-permanent fashion, but, undoubtedly there are massive benefits for both the younger players, learning and being challenged, and older players, through leadership and coaching/teaching on the pitch. Is this something you have used and have you seen any benefits or any struggles when trying to make it work? Let me know as it would be great to get some real-life feedback. Anyway on to why you’re here…

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The Top Ten of the Week

1. Have you ever thought of having intra age sessions within your club? It's something Southampton's academy is known to do. Here Paul McGuiness talks though the benefits of using this method.

   Paul McGuinness @Paulmcg8

   @jonadamson @TheCoachAnalyst @MarcMcLaren @JustinWalley10 @AdamBatstone89 @EricLaurie @parmarsports Mix with an age group 3/4 yrs older in your club, ask your players to bring along older brothers/sisters dads who have these skills, coaches join in if you can role model - also helps to play with younger players as less pressure your players can be the role models

   

   

   

   

2. He's got a bonus for you if you play 3 at the back. Eric Laurie with the advantages and disadvantages of the 3-3-3-1.

   Eric Laurie @EricLaurie

   🚨BONUS FORMATION🚨 🟢3-3-3-1🟢 Thank you to @theonenil for sharing his knowledge of the formation with me. Here is the 3-3-3-1 formation. •Advantages and Disadvantages

   

3. Eric Laurie here going through explaining about the defensive funnel. Have you spoken to your defenders about the defensive funnel or do you refer to it in a different way?

   Eric Laurie @EricLaurie

   🔘Defensive Funnel🔘 •Reference for backline •Compress and expand •Horizontal pitch coverage based on vertical positioning

   

4. I mean this could just be a thread of Eric Top Ten. I may have to get him to do a guest post here soon but another gem, this time talking through the Phases of Play

   Eric Laurie @EricLaurie

   🔘Phases Of Play🔘 •In possession •Out of possession •Area of play •(Transitions and set-pieces)

   

5. Dan Abrahams here discussing what we as coaches should build within ourselves. How many of these would you say you're a master of

   Daniel Abrahams @DanAbrahams77

   Four systems that coaches should consider building (and four that link with each other): -the psycho-social aspects of coaching -the psycho-social aspects of competing -the psycho-social aspects of the individual -the psycho-social aspects of the group/team Build and link!

6. Belgian FA Director of coach education Kris Van Der Haegen here talking about being able to accommodate players with skill but aren't quite mature (physically) yet. The Belgian FA has really taken to LTAD and it's paying massive dividends.

   Dr Laura Finnegan @finnegan_laura

   “There is too much of a focus on high performance instead of high potential in youth football”- @KrisVDHaegen insight into the ‘Futures’ project from the Belgian FA -accommodating & preparing players who are less mature in comparison to peers #RAE #maturity from @iCoachKidsWorld

   

   

7. Yep, he's back and this time its counter-pressing. A hot topic in the world of adult coaching.

   Eric Laurie @EricLaurie

   🔹Counter Pressing •Transition from in possession to out of possession •Immediate pressure •Proactive approach •Delay & backpress

   

8. Ball progression, when to fo it, how to do it, and making the right decisions about doing it, as explained by our friend Eric Laurie

   Eric Laurie @EricLaurie

   🔹Ball Progression •Pass or carry •Verticality •Eliminate defenders •Move the team closer to the opposition goal

   

9. Mental health is an important topic for us all especially during times of restriction and most people without being able to do what we love. How many of these 9 points are you doing?

   Marc Gagnon @marcrjgagnon

   ‘How Bosses Can Be Good #MentalHealth Role Models’: via @BelievePHQ

   

10. A sports psychologists guide to resilience. The what, the how it works, and the how-to train and develop it in young players.
    https://www.sportpsychologypaper2pitch.com/post/the-i-in-resilience

Thanks again for joining me this week. I know we’re back in phases of lockdowns during this time with most youth sports off (country dependant) please take time to look after yourselves and your players. support them in any way you can. There are some great apps out there for home challenges to keep them pre-occupied. As always, if you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and know someone else who would feel free to pass it on using the buttons below. Have a great week!