So after some unfortunate events taking place around the world myself and James have had no other choice but to postpone doing our podcast. This is something which is disappointing as we had some highly decorated coaches coming on to join us, in which the tremendous experiences, advice and insights they could give to the listeners would have been amazing. We are trying our best to look into some potential online discussions but cant confirm anything yet. With this being the case I have decided to keep the blog pages going and try and get as many written pieces from myself and other coaches on which I think would still be beneficial for whoever would like to read. In this blog post I asked as many Preston North End coaches the following Questions;
Question 1: What do you love most about coaching and why?
Question 2: In your opinion or experience, what do you believe is the best way to help kids learn and retain the stuff you coach?
Question 3: When you are coaching, what are the main aims you try to achieve by the end of the session and do you revisit these during and after?
All of the coaches involved all coach around Preston North Ends Pre-Academy and Academy, I believe that it is always a great idea to communicate and help other coaches when in the same environments, I decided to do this because I feel like everyone, no matter what level coach you are could take something from this and really see how different coaches have different perspectives and also it may give whoever wants to read an idea that they may have not thought of before. I have included all coaches current qualifications and ones they are working towards, as well as this which age groups they are working with so you readers can pick out the age groups that my benefit you most! I would just like to take this time to say thanks to the coaches who gave me some feedback on the questions! So lets get into it….
Ryan McNally – U6/U11development – Level 2 Coach currently working to UEFA B
Q1. Watching the players grow and Explore and helping them to become good people.
Q2. I like to use Trial and error, giving them every opportunity possible to learn from their mistakes. Giving them short cues and allowing them to try and implement it in their own creative way.
Q3. My aims are to include fun, freedom and high repetition of whatever my coaching points are. These are reflected on as I write notes on how I felt the session went.
James McGown – U6 Development/U9 Development – Level 2 Coach currently working to UEFA B
Q1. The thing I love the most about coaching is the reward of seeing players develop. Seeing players improve their game and develop new skills through the help of my coaching and the knowledge I possess. It provides me with a sense of achievement that people are benefiting because of my work and to me that’s the best part and the reason why I coach.
Q2. Personally, I believe there’s no ‘best’ way to help kids learn and retain information, i think it depends upon their learning styles and their own ability to retain information. However, what i have found most effective is using demonstrations within my practices alongside the use of Q+A first ‘paint the picture’ for the player whilst giving some information and then consolidating that knowledge through Q+A.
Q3. My main aim for every session is to ensure that all players take at least 1 thing away from the session that they’ve learned, it could be anything that will help their development as a player or a person. That is a baseline standard for me that I must achieve in every session. I always want my players to have fun throughout the sessions and remain engaged to aid learning. As i coach i revisit my personal goals for the session during and after as I believe this is the best way to learn as a coach and make my sessions the best they can be. I speak with the coach I work with all of the time to challenge some of the things we’ve done and we’re always looking for ways to adapt and improve our sessions.
Scott Green – U7 Development/U10 Development – Level 2 Coach
Q1. For me its all about seeing the players I coach enjoy their experience playing Sport. Seeing them having an excitement and eagerness to want to be apart of your session, really reiterates what you are doing it for. As well as this I love learning new ideas and concepts from other coaches and taking all the experiences my environment provides and taking them.
Q2. I really don’t think their is defining way to help kids learn and retain, I think multiple factors such as the individuals cognitive ability and the age you coach. For me its about creating an environment that promotes guided discovery, helping them learn through making mistakes and not punishing their creativity when it doesn’t quite work. I believe my sessions should be something along the lines of a ‘structured playground’ in which promotes autonomy and problem solving. I will balance my interventions when I think is necessary, having 1 to 1 conversations and using Q and A to help them think of a solution. Also giving them ideas but not quite telling them the answer unless they are really struggling with something.
Q3. In overall terms we have a session outcome for that specific week based around a certain topic, with this is will identify which coaching points I think would be necessary based on the group I’m coaching. I use a lot of Q and A throughout the session to help them understand in a way they will be able to teach me back by the end of the session. As mentioned previously I like to promote an autonomous and chaotic environment when I think it will benefit most, this will help with the competitiveness and work rate from all players therefore keeping them more engaged in the overall topic. I think its key to have repetition of the aims and to revisit them multiple times.
Luke Almond – U7/Development Centre Coordinator – Level 2 Coach currently working to UEFA B
Q1. Considering most of my work is at foundation/Pre academy the thing I enjoy most is seeing the development of the players both as people and football players. As well as this I take pride in helping develop their values and also their skills.
Q2. I definitely try to use the kinaesthetic style of learning whilst also promoting repetition. For me as long as the practices are fun and conditions are brought in to make them flexible, the players will stay engaged and wont lose interest by doing the same thing constantly.
Q3. Understanding the key factors so the players know what we are trying to achieve. I introduce individual challenges and use demos to constantly reinforce the key factors throughout the session, I then revisit them after the session during games and link them to the following week.
Finn O’Leary – U8/Pre Academy Coordinator – UEFA B Coach
Q1. My favourite thing about coaching is that it offers the opportunity to develop people. Football presents lots of opportunities for us to encourage the development of skills that will help an individual succeed in life as well as in sport. It is extremely rewarding when you see an individual excel with the use of a mental/social skill after you have worked with them on it over a period of time.
Q2. I don’t feel that there is an individual best way for kids to learn and retain information. This can depend on a range of factors including the situation and the individual in question. It is about striking a balance in terms of when we give information, ask questions, allow the players to freely explore and to make mistakes etc in relation to the situation at hand. However, I generally look to allow a player/group to explore a problem freely and gradually guide them towards the solution rather than giving them the information from the beginning.
Q3. I aim for enjoyment, intensity and learning to take place within each session that I deliver. Kids are more motivated to work hard when they are in an environment that is fun and exciting! The first two aims are revisited and encouraged through the use of competition throughout the session. I aim for learning to be brought out through the use of topic-relevant practices before building on this with a range of group/individual interventions as the session goes on.
Aadil Master – U8 development – Level 2 Coach currently working to UEFA B
Q1. The thing I enjoy most about coaching is the thrill of seeing what you’ve taught to your players come out in training and in match days. This can be either developing them as a player or a person and seeing them develop into that is why I love coaching.
Q2. Everyone learns differently and it’s important to know that. That’s why I change how I deliver my sessions, varying from a demo, using a tactical boards and also breaking down information into sections and numbers which can make it easy for players to understand and retain.
Q3. I have 2 main titles at the top of my board. One being a broad topic, around the area we will be working with, and a narrow topic, covering the scenario of the session. I try to help make the players understand the scenario they are in, relating it to a real game. So when they do come to a SSG or a full match, they can take what they have learnt into the game. I revisit the coaching points during the session so it helps players understand the scenario and at the end so I can see what they have taken from the session.
Ollie Birkett – Pre Academy GKs and U9 Development – Level 2 Coach currently working towards UEFA B
Q1. To work within football, in an academy as well, is very interesting to me. Constantly learning and gaining more and more experience within football is very enjoyable. I love football, and to be able to help players, develop them and help them improve to be the best they can be whilst putting smiles on their faces is what makes coaching so enjoyable for me. Seeing their progress and their development as they grow as a footballer and a person is what I love most about coaching.
Q2. Enjoyment. Especially within younger age groups that I work with. If they love the session and enjoy what they’re doing they’re going to be more interested. Enjoyment isn’t just about creating a fun game. Creating a positive, enthusiastic and fun atmosphere, especially within the more repetitive type sessions, can really make the sessions more fun and interesting even if they are repetitive. Little changes to stick to the outcomes but to make it more competitive and fun I believe really helps the development of young players. Furthermore, I believe it takes the pressure of the player in situations where they feel like they have to perform, such as academies. This release of pressure can really help their performance and forget about the pressures and allow them to do what they do best and what they love to do and play football.
Q3. From every session I deliver I always make it clear that i want them to try their best and work really hard and they are my aims and objectives for every player in every session, as well as the individual topic session outcomes. I ask this of them so that they can get the most out of each session. This particular objective is something I ask of in every session along with behaviour and attitude levels being good also for the same purpose to get the most out of the session. These objectives aren’t written on the board but are often reminded to them to meet these objectives so they can be the best they can be. These aims are always brought up during and after the sessions whether they’ve been met or not. Praise when they do the right things is just as important as identifying where they could improve. So I will always give them praise if they are doing these things correctly as its important and will always let them know when these objectives aren’t met. Learning outcomes within an individual session will be highlighted before the session. So they are aware of what im looking for and can try execute it on the pitch. With my experience working with younger kids, too much information at once can confuse them and can lead them away from achieving the outcomes. I tend to use no more than 3 coaching points to avoid this cramming of information. I will refer to these objectives throughout the session in more detail to help them absorb the information. I will also have a debrief at the end of the session. In which I will go over all the outcomes of the session.
Luke Harrison – Mix from U7-U11 – Level 2 Coach currently working to UEFA B
Q1. My favourite thing about coaching is individual development, working with/coming across a player who to begin with has no confidence, low ability and lacking in most areas, seeing them improve and grow into a good footballer who can play within a good team which makes all the one to one coaching and player management worth while. I love this the most as I believe players are written off to early in some cases and this proves a lot of people wrong.
Q2. The best way to help kids learn and retain knowledge is fun. Kids wont learn much if they dread the session or don’t want to be there, get them to enjoy the session and the knowledge will come naturally after that.
Q3. I think it depends on the session topic, however I like all my sessions to be at a high intensity, plenty of ball movement time and most of all fun. I would certainly revisit topic aims during the session to reiterate what I want to see and also post session to ensure the players have taken something away from the session.
Sagwati Malabi – Mix from U6-U11 – UEFA B Coach
Q1. What you call the ‘light bulb moment’ its what I enjoy best about coaching, helping children/players reach their full potential and helping them fully engage in the sport they’re taking part in.
Q2. Enjoyment is a huge factor – something that’s fun, exciting and easy to understand. That will encourage engagement. When you have that then players will always buy into your ideas easily and look forward to your every session.
Q3. I think repetition is extremely important so revisiting or redoing the same session the next time can be beneficial. However we shouldn’t always be concerned or focussed more about the outcome but focus on the journey that the players are having in their learning – I might repeat my sessions but with my plan, do, review process it might set up in a different way or more info might be highlighted in different areas for certain players.
Jordan Armstrong – U9 Academy – UEFA B Coach and FA Advanced Youth Award
Q1. The opportunity to inspire and make individuals love football and become the best version of themselves. I look to try and help and give them more opportunities than I had on my own journey and love the game.
Q2. My opinion on this is to keep your coaching points quick and relatable to them, give them something they will remember. I use a lot of famous footballers they currently aspire and watch on TV to help this.
Q3. The main aims I try to achieve are the intensity and enjoyment of the session, after this I look to help the kids learn 1 or 2 points from the session.
Neil Owen – Current U10s Academy but worked with variety of age groups throughout the academy – UEFA B Coach and FA Youth Award
Q1. Seeing players develop and improve over a period of time. Probably the most rewarding part of being a coach for me is seeing players you have had a part or key part in their development as a young player having a career in football. Whatever the role, Player, Coach, Physio.
Q2. Repeat! Too many people put a session on and say ‘im not doing that again, they didn’t get it’. Have a theme, and from session 1 to 2 set up the same but add in a progression (whatever that might be). Same again from 2-3, 3-4 etc, as the players go through the similar sessions they will improve quicker with more ball time & better concentration rather than trying to work out what they do in this one?
Q3. This is very much dependant on the age group, pre-academy – to ensure they enjoyed it and played with a smile. Foundation – again, must enjoy it, but take something from it, however small. Like in the answer above, never be afraid to repeat a session. YDP – to gain understanding of the topic, again however small, this is important for the players at academy level to progress.
Sam Livesy – Academy Cover Coach – UEFA B
Q1. I enjoy working with players who are eager to learn but then seeing them develop and take on board your points is the highlight because you can see the impact you are having.
Q2. Guided discovery and repetition; but you have to deliver this in an exciting and creative way which challenges players and allows them the scope to think for themselves and problem solve the challenges you provide them.
Q3. This depends on the topic and the needs of a team and individuals but the main aim is to first teach them how and when to use certain techniques, tactics etc and then see the players make correct decisions for themselves. I check this during sessions with drive bys conversations with individuals, stepping in to paint a picture relevant to the topic when needed and a debrief with open questions at the end of a session with the players. I may also check on matchday to see if they can remember points from previous sessions and see if they can implement certain points in a match if the opportunity arises.
Zach Clark – U11 Academy – UEFA B Coach looking to get onto UEFA A and FA Advanced Youth Award
Q1. I love working within a practical environment. But the main thing is being able to help young players learn the game.
Q2. I think the best way for kids to learn and retain information is through making mistakes. The more opportunities they get to play realistic scenarios, the more mistakes they make, which will help their learning process.
Q3. Yes, the main aim I have is that I provide an environment for the players to enjoy coming, if they enjoy training then they have a better platform to learn. Within that whilst its fun and competitive there are weekly session aims which are at the forefront of each session which are reminded to the players before, during and after.
James Curzon – U12 Academy – UEFA B Coach
Q1. I love developing rapport, relationships and trust with players/participants. I love helping them develop new skills and understanding. I also love how their part in the process teaches me more too.
Q2. There’s a quote “Tell me and I will forget, teach me I will remember, Involve me I will learn”. In terms of the coaching process each of these steps is important. The last one is obviously key though and it relates to my point about developing relationships in my first answer. You can’t involve people as you’d like if that relationship isn’t Developed. Further to this after introducing them to concepts its always good to give them autonomy and responsibility in the decision making process in games and training. This can consolidate what they’ve already learned and give them a chance to recall/try it out in dynamic, competitive situations. Finally, make it fun and engaging! They’ll be motivated to try out what they’ve learnt, enthusiastic to practice and desperate to come back.
Q3. The short term aims relate to whatever block of the curriculum we’re currently on. At the under 12’s we’re still looking to see aspects of things you look for in the foundation phase (Ball mastery, 1v1 skills) as well as helping the players to understand how they relate to their team mates in little groups (partnerships on the pitch) and units. We’re looking for the skills relevant to this elements that relate to the block of the curriculum we’re in. We will frequently revisit these aims and points, during, after and when possible before. We also have broad aims that we focus on regardless of topic, these are emphasised and repeated regardless of what we’re working on. These might relate to attitude, concentration, being a good team mate etc and are important wherever we are in the curriculum.
John Prince – Youth Development Phase Coordinator – UEFA A Coach and FA Advanced Youth Award
Q1. The process of continuous improvement. I mean this both personally, as a coach and in relation to supporting players to learn and improve.
Q2. All players learn in different ways and at different speeds. I think your job as a coach is to utilise a variety of ways to engage players and then to give lots of opportunities with appropriate support/challenge to have a go at it.
Q3. I once read something about how at Southampton’s academy they had three aims for every session. To put a smile on the players faces; for the players to get a sweat on and finally for them to learn something. I always try to keep this in mind.
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