To hold back or Press ahead?
Hi Everyone, welcome to another week of my top ten. There is an interesting debate happening on UK coaching twitter about what happens next season. With lockdowns unlikely to be lifted until March and sport unlikely to be allowed until April/May, the traditional season will have ended. So next season youth managers up and down the country, and not doubt all around the world are faced with a question of pushing players up into a different format or keeping them in the same format as they would have played to ensure they get those fundamentals? What are your thoughts? Are you in that same situation? Please let me know as I would love to hear what people are thinking and the solutions they are coming up with. You can either reply to this message (if this lands in your inbox) or find me here https://twitter.com/ACharlesFoster
The Top Ten Of The Week
An interesting suggestion from Pete Sturgess who was a massive champion for the FA in the foundation phase. what do you think? Players haven't played consistently for what will end up being 2 seasons. do you hold them back a "year"/format so they learn the fundamentals of that format before progressing? I'm in favour but as always it depends on your players and you know them better than most.
For those working in the youth game, this is well worth a listen. podcasting talking through the challenges of maturation in youth football. Always something to think about with young players whether it be assessing, progression, or your demands of them.
Podcast appearance for a coach who I love listening to or reading what his thoughts are. He's so passionate about youth football and ensuring we're creating environments for players that allow them to not only enjoy football and your sessions but help them master the cognitive side of the game.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/modern-soccer-coach-podcast/id1318510028?i=1000503112541
Free resource alert!! we've had Pirlos thesis and many more from the Italian FA, this time it's FIFA's manual on Youth football and training. Download and enjoy.
A bit of a thread from Man Utd youth team coach Paul McGuinness about using sessions but not being able to implement or communicate them properly because you haven't formulated them yourself. I agree mostly with this. I would say we're all looking for sessions that help to keep things fresh but it's definitely important to know why that session is the way it is and what they are trying to achieve with their players. For you, as a coach, it's then up to you to adapt that to your players and their level and skillset.
1. We all start by copying other people’s sessions but it’s developing your own ideas that is the most rewarding & convincing when communicating messages to your players
Some tactical analysis for you here about playing vertically and using it to your advantage.
More advanced technical analysis of the senior game here with the breaking the liens team talking through a concept they've noticed of teams starting to play with two false 9's. I put these kinds of articles here for a number of reasons, first, the readership level is varied, I love expanding people’s knowledge about the game but also knowing where the game is going also challenges you to prepare your players for the asks of managers as concepts become more mainstream.
https://breakingthelines.com/tactical-analysis/introducing-the-double-false-9/
Carl Carpenter always has some really good topics he talks through. the video are short and sweet with an easy explanation with visual aids. Always peaks my interest so I can find out more. This time he is walking you through Blind side movements
Carl again but this time going through receiving between the lines. How can you get this skillset from your players and what exercises can you think of that will put them into situations where they can develop this further.
Great article from the FA's learning channel. Here they talk about some simple session design ideas when you’re stuck for inspiration.
https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/coaching/practice-design-target-games
Thanks again for joining me on another issue. Any comments, good or constructive please do let me know. Also if you know anyone who would enjoy this content share using the buttons below and help them join over 100 like-minded coaches!