Is there a one size fits all TD pathway?

Hi Everyone, I hope you all enjoyed your Easter holiday. I took an unexpected break from the newsletter but I’m back now. Usually, I would give more warning when there’s a break in the content.

I came across a Twitter debate on the development of Phil Foden. A journalist at a popular paper was sarcastically commenting that Pep should know that sending players to the championship is the way we do things here in England not keeping them in the squad and letting them learn from the world-class players and training. The reason I find this frustrating is because there is no right/perfect way to develop a player, sometimes its better that they stay and train with the first team (Foden), sometimes it’s better that they go lower down the leagues and play men’s football (Man U GK Henderson), sometimes it’s better they have a loan move abroad (Mason Mount), and sometimes it’s even moving permanently abroad (Jadon Sancho). As much as I’ve given you successful versions of each point there are way more unsuccessful versions too. Talent development is so complex and so much down to the individual that we would be foolish to try and keep to a one size fits all method of helping players realise their talents! right rant over on to the top ten.

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The Top Ten Of The Week

1. Seems to be a bit of a hot topic in coaching circles at the moment, here is the excellent Eric Lauries take on influencing and using space in possession. The three ways he outlines are, create, occupy, and attack. do you get your team to do the three?

   https://ericlaurie.medium.com/tactical-theory-influencing-space-in-possession-the-three-ways-space-is-manipulated-8fc773db13de

2. Can’t have too many sources of practice inspiration. Here's a free one from David Bird

   Coach David Baird @CoachDavidBaird

   Free mobile app for coaches: app.scoreboardsoccer.com ▪️ Scoreboard Games ▪️ 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4 Practices ▪️ Content added frequently Shares appreciated 🔁

   

3. A really thought-provoking thread from Steve Magness on our messaging on the link between achievement and working hard. Key takeaway, when you reach a certain level everyone is working hard so hard work becomes less of a factor of success and then shouldn't be used as a marker of why someone is or isn't successful. What do you think?

   Steve Magness @stevemagness

   To achieve almost anything, you need to work hard. But what if you aren't achieving, is it because you aren't working hard enough? Does hard work separate those who make it and those who don't? THREAD on hard work, deliberate practice, and how much it matters for performance:

4. Want your goalkeepers to help more when in possession but not sure how to help them do it? Carlon Carpenter gives some pointers to help goalkeepers create angles to facilitate ball progression.

   Carlon Carpenter @C_Carpenter14

   Goalkeeper's Toolkit - Creating Angles To Facilitate Ball Progression: - Moving into space when a pass is played ➡️ Creating angles/freeing yourself up from pressure. - Creating numerical superiority with teammates ➡️ Maximizing ability to bypass the press. (@MetricaSports)

   

5. One from the FA website here on the roles and responsibilities when defending. takeaways on pressing the player on the ball, covering a pressing teammate, and providing balance away from the ball.

   https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/coaching/how-to-defend-like-england-roles-and-responsibilities

6. Carlon again but this time he's taking the center-backs through stepping up and being aggressive.

   Carlon Carpenter @C_Carpenter14

   Center Back's Toolkit - When To Step And Be Aggressive Understanding moments of when to step to win the ball: - Teammates on the cover - Opponent's body shape - Location on the pitch - Obvious passing lanes - Knowing the risk/reward @beckysauerbrunn (Made with @MetricaSports)

   

7. A talk here from Sean Cummings on growth and maturity and its impact on how we perceive players. Have a look and let me know the points are things you've already known or some bias you've previously held.

   Sean Cumming PhD @phd_sean

   Webinar on growth and maturity and its implications in football that I contributed to for @FALearning and @mdportas during the previous lockdown.

   

   youtube.comGrowth and maturity | FA Learning webinarExploring growth and maturity and the impact on player identification and development The progression from childhood, through adolescence to adulthood is cha...

8. Did you know the FA has started a coaching podcast called DNA insights? lots of useful content there too. Especially if you get a little bored of reading all the time or like to listen to something when taking a walk. This one is on the foundation phase and the FA's approach to developing happier and more skillful players.

   FA Learning @FALearning

   🧠⚽ Episode 3 of the DNA Insights podcast continues the journey into the Foundation Phase and our approach to developing happier and more skilful players 😃 Catch up now 👇

9. Really interesting from Sport Psychologist Dan Abrahams here on the effect of your coaching well beyond the training field. something always well worth remembering.

   Daniel Abrahams @DanAbrahams77

   Your coaching sessions don't end when they end...in fact, they never end! Your players carry them with them when they leave the pitch, when they leave the training ground... My ‘Thought of the Day’

   

   linkedin.comDan Abrahams on LinkedIn: Your coaching sessions don’t end when they end...in fact, they neverYour coaching sessions don’t end when they end...in fact, they never end! Your players carry them with them when they leave the pitch, when they leave ...

10. A really simple and easy-to-read breakdown of the phases of play when in and out of possession. Something I think should be easy enough to pass on to those in the YDP

    Eric Laurie @EricLaurie

    Phases of Play

    

Thanks again for joining me. As always if you know anyone who would like this newsletter or currently coach please do pass it on via the share buttons below. Have a great weekend and week.