Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 60

This week we have a focus on equal playing time.

In his latest column, Ian Barker of US Youth Soccer says that trying to achieve this - or as close to it as possible over a season - is important to keep young players engaged.

It is often difficult to get right, and can be an onerous task for a grassroots coach as it involves a little bit more admin.

However, if a particular approach is agreed at the start of the season, it can help ease any future tensions with parents, who are always keen that their child receives a fair go.

Of course, this often means using substitutions on a regular basis to ensure no-one is getting left behind, not just in terms of playing time but also in their development as players.

We have a separate article on the challenges facing coaches when it comes to brining players off the bench.

Elsewhere, our Q&A this week is with Ben Franks, a coach who introduces to us the theory of 'ecological dynamics'.

This is essentially all about creating realistic environments to prompt the learning outcomes you require.

The Q&A is an abridged version of the full audio interview, which you can hear as a podcast by clicking the link at the bottom of page 10 or by subscribing via your usual pod provider.

Our main session is from Wales-based Jason Brindley, on defending when outnumbered, and we also have a drill on attacking, to balance things out a bit!