Welcome to Laying the Foundation, your go-to source for all things football coaching in the foundation phase. Each week, we'll explore some of the hottest topics in the game and age-old challenges faced by coaches at all levels. We'll provide practice ideas and videos of practices we've conducted, sharing what we've learned and how we would improve them in the future.

We're also interested in hearing from you. What challenges are you currently facing? What aspects of coaching do you need support with to take your coaching and players to the next level? Please don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll answer your questions in future newsletters. This newsletter is for you, and we welcome your input as we move forward.

TRAINING TIPS

CAROUSEL METHOD

In every edition, we will offer coaches tips and tricks to set up their training sessions and practices in the most efficient and effective ways. Our first training tip is around the use of carousel practices.

The idea here is that the coach sets up two or three practices that the players rotate around. This serves two purposes, the first being that there is very little wasted time from one part of the session finishing and the next part of the session starting, meaning maximal ball rolling time for the players, a huge bonus given the limited time coaches get with their players on a weekly basis.

The second is that the players have minimal time to allow the learning from the first practice to be lost. The key is that both practices work on similar aspects but present different problems for the players to use the skills covered in the first practice to solve them. For example, if the session was looking at dribbling, the first practice would give players many dribbling opportunities to develop understanding and confidence. The second practice would take this further by presenting players with decisions of when is right to dribble and when is best to pass. This takes their learning on another level because they have to select the right time to apply the learning from practice one and get feedback if they make the wrong choice form a loss of possession or a team mate telling them that they were free if they chose to dribble.

We will be demonstrating how this can work in practice in an upcoming practice of the month so keep your eyes peeled!

THE ELEPHANT IN THE CHANGING ROOM

EQUAL PLAYING TIME

Each week, we will discuss a contentious issue within the world of foundation phase coaching, offering perspective on both sides of the argument and ways to navigate the minefield that can be youth football. This week we look at the debate around equal playing time amongst the players within your squad.

This is a long-standing discussion between coaches and managers within foundation phase football and one that divides opinion and hopefully, we can provide some clarity as to the pros and con’s.

THE GAP THAT BUILDS: NEGATIVE IMPACT OF UNEQUAL PLAYING TIME

One of the most evident drawbacks of unequal playing time is the gap it creates between players. When certain individuals consistently receive more game time than others, it can lead to feelings of frustration, demotivation, and decreased self-esteem among those who are left on the bench. This gap not only affects individual players but can also disrupt team dynamics, causing resentment and divisions within the group. Over time, this can result in a lack of team cohesion and hinder overall performance.

Furthermore, as with any learning environment, players develop at different rates. Unequal playing time can hinder the growth of players who may be earlier on in their developmental journey. Without adequate opportunities to test their skills in real-game situations, these players might struggle to improve and contribute effectively to the team. This not only impacts their current performance but can also dampen their enthusiasm for the sport, potentially leading to dropouts in the long run.

FOSTERING LOVE FOR FOOTBALL AND LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT

Providing equal playing time can play a pivotal role in nurturing a love for football among young players. When all players are given a fair chance to participate, they are more likely to develop a genuine passion for the sport. This love for football transcends mere competition and can lead to a longer-term commitment to the game. This approach encourages a healthier perspective on sport and encourages young players to continue their involvement beyond their youth years.

Moreover, equal playing time allows players to experience different positions and roles on the field, a subject we will cover in more depth in future editions. This versatility not only enhances their overall understanding of the game but also contributes to their well-rounded development as athletes. The lessons learned from playing different positions, coupled with the experience gained from equal exposure, can lay a solid foundation for future growth and success.

THE CHALLENGE OF BALANCING COMPETITION AND DEVELOPMENT

One of the notable challenges in implementing equal playing time lies in maintaining a balance between nurturing less experienced players, or players earlier in their developmental journey and challenging the stronger ones. To address this, coaches must employ creative strategies that cater to the varying skill levels within the team. For stronger players, this could mean incorporating adapting training sessions to keep them engaged and motivated, even if their playing time is distributed more evenly. This could include individual challenges within sessions or games, or match analysis tasks during their time off the pitch, providing support and feedback to their peers as well as enhancing their tactical appreciation of the game. Meanwhile, less experienced players can benefit from additional guidance and support to accelerate their progress.

CONCLUSION

In the realm of youth football, equal playing time presents both opportunities and challenges. While unequal playing time may create a gap between players and hinder the development of less experienced players, fostering a love for football and promoting long-term growth are important benefits of providing equal exposure and should be high in a foundation phase coach’s priority list. Balancing competition and development remains a challenge, but with thoughtful coaching strategies, it is possible to challenge stronger players while still providing opportunities for growth to all team members. Ultimately, the decision of whether to implement equal playing time should take into account the unique needs and goals of each team, striving for an environment that prioritises both competition and the holistic development of young athletes.

PRACTICE OF THE MONTH

This month’s edition features a practice that focuses on possession, specifically short passing and how to transfer the ball away from pressure. An ideal training session practice or a matchday warm-up with your players.

Below is the practice layout, an explanation of the rules of the game, tips for coaches to use to make the practice as engaging as possible for players, the STEP principle to change elements of the practice to gain different returns, challenges to either support or stretch your players and finally, questions you can ask as a coach to ensure that the players get the most learning as possible from the practice to support their development.

GAME DAY GOLD

SUPER SUBS

To build on our Elephant in the Changing Room article, we will explore how best to utilise your substitutes on a gameday to support the players who are playing as well as continuing to develop their understanding of the game in other areas.

Often during games, the players who are off the pitch are playing tag or shooting into an empty goal. Whilst it is important to remember that they are children and while there is nothing wrong with this as they are still developing their athletic or technical ability, what if there was a way that you as a coach could harness them to be assistant coaches, collecting essential data that could help you give specific feedback to the team or individuals?

With very little preparation time, coaches can give their substitutes analysis tasks. For example, using one of the players off the pitch, utilise that time to task them with watching the player they will be playing against when they come back on. Getting them to identify their direct opponent will help them form strategies to be effective against them. For example, if your player is coming on in defence, getting them to recognise which foot their opponent uses will help them recognise which side to force them when in 1v1 situations. This challenges players to come up with a ‘game plan’ of how to deal with opponents and enhance their tactical ability to nullify the threats of an opponent.

That was a more individual example, let’s explore how subs can be used to support from a whole team perspective. Depending on what the focus of your training session was that week, your substitutes could be used to analyse how many times your topic came out in the game, which is the litmus test of how effective training sessions are. For example, if your practice was around passing to feet or space, you could use one of your substitutes to tally up how many successful passes your team made to feet in a period, and another can tally how many successful passes into space the team made, whilst any other subs can collect incomplete passes to feet or space. This will provide you as a coach with real-time data that you can feed back to the players during the break to bring their focus back onto what you worked on in training as, in the hustle and bustle of the match, these things can be forgotten. A key part of being a foundation phase coach/manager is to keep your players’ minds on their development whilst being competitive, not sacrificing their development to win.

These are a couple of ideas for coaches to try and incorporate into their matchday environments, ways that they can both support their substitutes’ tactical understanding as well as gather useful data to support your players during games to ensure the match becomes an extension of your training sessions. If you liked this, give it a go and let us know how it went, we’d love to hear your experiences.

CREATING CULTURE

FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY: THE HEARTBEAT OF YOUTH FOOTBALL TEAMS

At the heart of every successful youth football team in the UK beats the rhythm of inclusivity. Beyond the tactical practices and victories or defeats, the true measure of achievement lies in the strength of its inclusive culture. This culture transcends the boundaries of skill levels, backgrounds, and abilities, weaving a tapestry of safety, belonging, and shared purpose.

At its core, youth football is more than a sport; it's a platform for nurturing young minds and bodies. Creating an inclusive culture within these teams holds the power to transform the lives of children, instilling in them a sense of being part of something greater than themselves. When children feel valued and integrated, they are more likely to embrace their team as a second family. The bonds forged on the pitch become lifelong connections that transcend the game.

Inclusive environments also act as incubators of self-confidence. When players of varying abilities collaborate towards a common goal, they learn the value of their unique contributions. This helps them develop a deep sense of self-worth, spurring growth not just on the field, but in all areas of life.

In a culture where the results-driven mindset often prevails, the importance of prioritising development over immediate outcomes cannot be overstated. While victories on the pitch are celebrated, an excessive focus on them can overshadow the real purpose of youth football – nurturing well-rounded individuals. When young athletes are taught to view each match as a chapter in their journey rather than the final destination, they grow to appreciate the value of perseverance, hard work, and camaraderie.

Placing undue emphasis on results can lead to exclusion and pressure, causing children to feel alienated and burdened. A player-centred approach that values growth and development above all fosters an environment where children are not afraid to take risks and make mistakes, knowing that they are learning opportunities rather than failures.

In a world where diversity is the norm, creating inclusive youth football teams is not just a noble pursuit, but a necessary one. It forms the foundation upon which future generations will build their character and forge connections. As coaches, parents, and supporters, we hold the responsibility to shape these teams into safe havens of belonging, resilience, and joy. When we do so, we impart life lessons that extend far beyond the pitch's confines, moulding well-rounded individuals equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving world.

COACHES POLL

We would like your views on what future Elephant in the Changing Room topics we dissect. If there are any topics you would like us to discuss, please contact us via our email: [email protected]

We want this newsletter to be led by you, so your views are highly valued.

Thank you for subscribing and taking the time to read through edition #1 of Laying the Foundation.