Tips and advice

When the season comes to an end, a coach has more things to do than just say farewell to his players. Take note of my 25-point checklist before you break up for the close season MORE

Do your players understand each other?

in Email newsletters, Tips and advice

A number of things caught my attention this week. One of them was a podcast that included an ex-player talking about playing in key games when the crowd was so loud the players had trouble communicating on the pitch, meaning they often got confused when making runs and supporting play. The team had to use a crude form of sign language to help them cope with the problem. MORE

Coach using actions not words

I was recently on an excellent three-hour practical demonstration by an FA coach development manager, showing how to coach players without using obvious instructions. Manipulation of the sessions was used as the coach tried to get the message across though actions rather than long-winded explanations. MORE

Improve your coaching

in Blog, Team Management, Tips and advice

As a coach I am always striving to improve by going on courses, going to watch other coaches and making sure my advice is current and relevant. I am constantly reflecting on my coaching and looking for ways to enhance it. MORE

Tactics when your team has a lead

in Defending, Email newsletters, Tips and advice

A cool defender does the simple things well when defending a lead, ushering danger away from goal rather than jumping in recklessly. MORE

How to keep your subs involved

Young players are often easily discouraged and, once they're feeling demoralised, it can get in the way of their performance on the pitch, so it's in your interest to keep them in the loop and happy with their role. MORE

Turned away

in Defending, Tips and advice

If you want your defenders to learn to come out on top in a one-on-one situation with an opponent, use this activity to teach them what to do and what to look for MORE

Do your players understand each other?

in Email newsletters, Tips and advice

The best teams communicate on the pitch. Players encourage one another, call for the ball, organise the defence and look around them to see who is open to the pass. Communication is the key to making your team more successful. Here are four ways to help your players communicate better. Start by giving your players... MORE

My New Year resolutions

I’ve got 14 things to think about in the new year – consider these points and see if you can work some of the principles into your everyday coaching. If you can, you’ll be a better coach because of it, I promise you. 1. Listen to your players Your players will always tell you if... MORE

Have some festive fun at training

in Email newsletters, Tips and advice

This week I will be running sessions to have a bit of fun over the festive period. MORE

9v9 formations: 2-1-2-1-2

With more teams playing 9v9 at Under 11 and Under 12, we take a look at the formations your side could play for this team size. This week we look at 2-1-2-1-2 MORE

Hey coach! what are you doing?

I know that most coaches have children who play soccer for other teams, as well as children who play for their own teams, and this can put them in a position to judge the coaching of others. I have had this conversation on many occasions: “What do you do when you see a coach doing the wrong thing on match day? Do you intervene?” MORE

12 ways to make training festive

Make your last training session before the Christmas break a memorable experience for your players by giving it a festive theme and by trying some of our 12 fun tips… MORE

Cook yourself a soccer diet

in Fitness and Diet, Tips and advice

If you ask a budding footballer these days what they focus the most on, to reach the top of their game, you will hear most talk about hard work, training and exercise, but it is very rare to find a young player mention MORE

Six tips for coaches who referee

in Refereeing, Tips and advice

With a shortage of referees at grassroots levels, coaches will often have to officiate matches themselves. Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey offers advice for coaches taking on the role of match official. MORE

6 ways to survive training in wet weather

If it looks like rain, you don’t have to cancel training straight away. There are a few things you could do to make your wet weather soccer session a winner… MORE

Video: How to take a free-kick

in Ball Control and Footwork, Tips and advice

Scoring spectacular free kicks doesn't happen by chance it takes time on the practice field to develop the art especially in young players who want to follow in the footsteps of their idols. Find out how to practice. MORE

4 ways to get over a bad start to...

A run of poor results at the start of the season can really knock a team’s confidence. Sport psychologist Dan Abrahams offers grassroots coaches four tips to help their teams get over a rocky opening to the campaign MORE

Why tactics are essential for your team

in Tactics, Tips and advice

One of the most interesting parts of being a coach is getting a grip on the tactics that a team plays – one thing for sure is there are a million different ways to play the game. A coach needs to create a playing style for the team and also have a number of different styles up his sleeve should the tactics prove ineffective against the team they are playing. MORE

8v8 formations 2-3-2

Creative formation for confident teams – beware counter-attacks MORE

How to coach youth teams

7v7 formation 1-4-1

The 1-4-1 formation has a brilliant midfield but it must work hard to support defence and attack MORE

7v7 formations 2-1-2-1