📣 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Miss (or missed!) the FA Youth Award? Considered by many to be the best course THEY’VE EVER DONE!!! So… we’ve created a 4-lesson ONLINE version, inspired by the originals! 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝐼, 𝐼𝐼 & 𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝐼 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 open now! ✍️ Register here: tickettailor.com/events/rayp…

Outstanding read - especially in this setting!! 👏 ⚽️ 🔴⚪️ @JervisEvans - DM’d you too

Can we help players create a mental framework? @DanAbrahams77 explains that a key to competing is understanding what you can and can't control.

Is there a "right way" to coach? @DanAbrahams77 describes the skill of the coach to make a judgement call on what they feel will help players. Dan delivered some great quotes during this episode of How To Build A Football Brain.

What a pic from the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival in Baku #RAE

Humans are born (genetics). Football players are made (epigenetics). Genetics is only the starting point. Intensive practice, not innate talent is decisive in the development process. Not just the quantity but also the quality of training, ie. context driven skill acquisition.

Let the kid play, for goodness sake

👀 Morgan Rogers working VERY HARD to not look at the goal/GK during last night’s shootout @GeirJordet I’m sure he’s just trying to give nothing away - no body language ‘leakage’ for the GK to use - BUT it feels like a lot of mental energy expended?? He scores, but not a great pen Thoughts?

Technique at Speed is one of my 9 coaching principles. And it's something I believe we should pay more attention to in youth football. I've seen plenty of young players who look technically excellent in training. They can pass accurately. They can dribble through cones. They can control the ball comfortably. But when the game becomes faster, things change. Their first touch becomes less accurate. Their passing quality drops. They take too long to make decisions. And suddenly, the technical skills they demonstrated in training become much harder to execute. This is why Technique at Speed is one of my coaching principles. Let me explain how I approach it. // 1. Good technique must work at match speed Football is played under constantly changing conditions. Players have different amounts of time and space depending on the situation. Sometimes they can take several touches. Sometimes they must play with one or two. Sometimes they have time to prepare a pass or shot. Other times, the opponent is already closing them down. I want players who can adjust their technical execution to these situations. It's not enough to execute a skill correctly when there's no pressure. Players must gradually learn to execute those same skills when the game demands faster actions. // 2. Faster doesn't always mean better This is an important distinction. Technique at Speed doesn't mean rushing every action. Imagine a midfielder receiving the ball in the centre of the pitch. If there's space and time, they might take an extra touch to prepare a forward pass. But what if an opponent is pressing aggressively? Now the situation is different. The midfielder might need to: - Recognise the pressure before receiving. - Adjust their body position. - Use their first touch to move away from pressure. - Execute the next action before the opponent closes the space. The technical action must match the demands of the situation. Sometimes that means playing quickly. Sometimes it means slowing down and waiting for the right moment. // 3. Technique and decision-making belong together One mistake I think we can make as coaches is separating technical execution from decision-making too much. For example, we might ask players to complete hundreds of passes without opponents. There's value in developing basic technical skills this way. But eventually, players must learn when, where, and how to use those skills. Think about a winger receiving the ball near the touchline. Should they take their first touch forward? Protect the ball? Turn inside? Play a first-time pass? The correct technical action depends on what the player recognises. That's why I believe we need to develop technical execution and decision-making together. // 4. How to develop Technique at Speed in training I like using game-based exercises where players repeatedly face situations that demand quick technical actions. For example, a directional 4v4 or 5v5 game. Players must constantly: - Receive and control the ball under pressure. - Adjust their first touch to the situation. - Pass accurately with limited time and space. - Dribble at speed when opportunities appear. - Execute actions quickly without losing unnecessary control. We can adjust the playing area, number of players, and level of pressure to increase or decrease the difficulty. But I wouldn't simply demand that players do everything faster. Instead, I want them to recognise when they need to execute quickly and when they have more time. Some simple coaching cues: - What can you see before receiving? - Can your first touch prepare your next action? - How quickly can you execute? - Can you maintain your technical quality under pressure? - Do you need to play quickly, or do you have time? // One final thought. There's nothing wrong with practising technical skills without opponents. Especially when players are still learning how to execute them. But we shouldn't stop there. We need to gradually introduce the demands players will face in real matches. Less time. Less space. More pressure. More decisions. Because ultimately, the game doesn't reward players for how well they can execute a skill without pressure. It rewards players who can execute the right skills in the situations the game creates. Technique at Speed isn't about doing everything faster. It's about maintaining technical quality while adapting to the speed and demands of the game. // P.S. Want to build brave, fast, and competitive players? Learn how to apply these 9 principles inside Football Coaching Hub. Try 7 days free: skool.com/football-coaching-…

👀 Two tables flipped!! Anyone know if they turned it around and won???

🎯

Probably the most thought-provoking statement about football tactics came from @power_ray. I repeatedly come back to this page to remind myself of how we really should outplay an opponent

Active Defending is one of my 9 coaching principles. And it's something I believe we should develop from a young age. Too often, I see young players defending by reacting to what the opponent does. They wait for the opponent to make a move. They allow the ball carrier too much time and space. They follow opponents instead of anticipating what might happen next. And sometimes, they're simply afraid of getting beaten. I want something different. I want players who take responsibility for defending and actively try to influence the game. Let me explain how I approach it. // 1. Don't wait for the opponent to make a decision When an opponent receives the ball, I want our nearest defender to recognise the situation immediately. Can they close the space? Can they apply pressure? Can they prevent the opponent from turning? Can they force the opponent into a less dangerous area? The goal is to make the opponent's decisions more difficult. For example, imagine an opposing midfielder receiving the ball with their back to our goal. If we allow them time and space, they can turn, look forward, and potentially create a dangerous situation. But if our midfielder closes the space quickly, the situation changes. Now the opponent might need to protect the ball, play backwards, or make a quicker decision. That's Active Defending. // 2. Aggressive doesn't mean reckless This is an important distinction. I want players who defend aggressively, but that doesn't mean running towards every opponent at full speed. Sometimes the right decision is to press immediately. Sometimes it's to slow down, control the distance, and prevent the opponent from progressing. And sometimes it's to delay the attack while teammates recover their positions. For example, in a 1v1 situation, a defender might approach quickly but then slow down before reaching the attacker. Why? To avoid getting beaten too easily and give themselves a better chance of winning the ball. The key is recognising when to: Apply immediate pressure. Challenge and try to win possession. Delay the opponent. Protect the most dangerous space. // 3. Defending is an individual and collective responsibility One player can apply excellent pressure, but if teammates don't react, the opponent might easily play around it. This is why I want the whole team to defend actively. When our winger presses the opposing fullback, what happens around them? Does our midfielder close the nearby passing option? Does our fullback support the pressure? Do the players behind adjust their positions? Good defending isn't just about the player closest to the ball. It's also about how teammates support that player's actions. // 4. Train players to recognise defensive situations How do we develop this in training? I like using directional small-sided games where players constantly need to defend, react, and make decisions. For example, a 4v4 or 5v5 game with goals. When the opponent has possession, encourage players to: Close space quickly. Apply pressure on the ball. Recognise opportunities to win possession. Cover teammates and protect dangerous spaces. React immediately when possession changes. Some simple coaching cues: Can you get closer? Can you prevent them from turning? Is there an opportunity to win the ball? If your teammate presses, how can you help? If you can't win it, what space must you protect? I also think it's important to recognise good defensive actions even when they don't lead directly to winning the ball. Forcing an opponent backwards, preventing a forward pass, or delaying an attack can all be successful defensive actions. // One final thought. We often talk about teaching players how to defend. But I believe we should also teach them to want to defend. To enjoy competing for the ball. To take responsibility when their team doesn't have possession. To see defending as an opportunity to influence the game, rather than something they simply have to do. Active Defending isn't about chasing the ball. It's about taking responsibility, making good decisions, and actively trying to win the ball or prevent the opponent from progressing. // P.S. Want to build brave, fast, and competitive players? Learn how to apply these 9 principles inside Football Coaching Hub. Try 7 days free: skool.com/football-coaching-…

Are our players engaged? @DanAbrahams77 explains the importance of engaging the players. No engagement, no development. I pulled six tips from our conversation that will help any coach.

"It is not how it starts, it is how it ends"

Love this Henrick! Yet we drill players relentlessly!!

In Coaching Youth Football (2020), I wrote about teenage #HarryKane as the ‘Underdog’ Born ‘late’ Multiple releases At 14, he was considered “middle of the pack” What a journey #HarryKaneBallondor #BallonDor

Bravery on the Ball is one of my 9 coaching principles. And I believe it's one of the most important behaviours we can develop in young players. Too often, players choose the safest option. They pass backwards when they could turn. They avoid receiving the ball under pressure. They pass to a teammate instead of taking an opponent on. Sometimes these are good decisions. But sometimes they're simply afraid of making a mistake. That's what I want to change. // 1. Encourage players to take responsibility I want players who are willing to receive the ball, even when an opponent is close. Players who don't hide behind opponents or avoid difficult situations. For example, imagine a midfielder receiving the ball with an opponent pressing from behind. Can they receive, protect the ball, and turn? Can they recognise an opportunity to play forward? Or is the best decision to play back to a teammate? All three might be good decisions. The important thing is that the player has the confidence to recognise the situation and make a decision. // 2. Bravery doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks This is an important distinction. I don't want players trying to dribble past three opponents every time they receive the ball. And I don't want them forcing difficult passes when better options are available. Bravery on the Ball isn't about making the riskiest decision. It's about having the courage to make the right decision, even when it's difficult. Sometimes that means dribbling past an opponent. Sometimes it means receiving under pressure. And sometimes it means protecting the ball and keeping possession. // 3. How coaches react to mistakes matters Imagine a young player trying to turn under pressure. They lose the ball. What happens next? If the coach immediately shouts at them to play it safe, what might the player learn? Next time, they might avoid turning altogether. This is why I try to evaluate decisions rather than just outcomes. Was there space to turn? Did the player recognise the opportunity? Was the decision reasonable? If the answer is yes, I want to encourage that behaviour, even if the execution wasn't successful. We can improve the execution through training. But it's much harder to develop brave players if they're constantly afraid of making mistakes. // 4. Train bravery through game situations I believe bravery develops when players repeatedly face situations that require it. For example, use a 4v4 or 5v5 game with opponents applying real pressure. Encourage players to: Receive the ball under pressure. Turn when space is available. Take opponents on in 1v1 situations. Protect possession when necessary. Find solutions instead of avoiding difficult situations. Some simple coaching cues: Can you receive? Can you turn? Can you take your opponent on? What did you see? What could you do differently next time? The idea isn't to demand risky actions. It's to create an environment where players feel confident enough to try, make mistakes, learn, and try again. // One final thought. We often tell young players to be brave. But then we criticise them when their brave decisions don't work. We can't expect players to take responsibility if we're only comfortable with their decisions when they succeed. Bravery on the Ball isn't about avoiding mistakes. It's about having the confidence to make decisions, learn from mistakes, and keep trying. // P.S. Want to build brave, fast, and competitive players? Learn how to apply these 9 principles inside Football Coaching Hub. Try 7 days free: skool.com/football-coaching-…

Forward Mentality is one of my 9 coaching principles. And it's probably one of the easiest to misunderstand. Forward Mentality doesn't mean always playing forward. It doesn't mean kicking long balls, forcing difficult passes, or attacking as quickly as possible in every situation. It's about teaching players to look forward first and recognise opportunities to progress. Let me explain how I approach it. // 1. Look forward first Whenever a player has the ball, I want them to recognise what is happening in front of them. Can they: Dribble into available space? Pass to a teammate in a better position? Break an opponent's defensive line? Combine with teammates to progress? If there's a good opportunity to go forward, I want them to take it. // 2. Don't force forward actions This is where decision-making becomes important. Sometimes the opponent has closed the space. Sometimes the forward passing options aren't available. Forcing the ball forward isn't necessarily brave or intelligent. In these situations, keeping possession can be the better decision. But there's an important difference between keeping possession with purpose and simply passing the ball around. // 3. Recycle possession to create the next opportunity Let's use a simple example. Our centre-back receives the ball during build-up. A midfielder moves into the space between the opponent's pressing lines. If the passing lane is open, I want the centre-back to recognise it and play forward. But what if the opponent closes that passing lane? Instead of forcing the pass, our centre-back might play sideways to the other centre-back or back to the goalkeeper. Why? To change the angle, move the opponent, and potentially create a new opportunity to progress. That's still Forward Mentality. // 4. Train the behaviour, not just the action How do we develop this in training? I like using directional small-sided games where players constantly need to recognise opportunities to progress. For example, a 5v5 game with mini goals. Players can pass forward, sideways, or backwards. But I want them constantly looking for opportunities to break lines and advance. Some simple coaching cues: Can you play forward? Is there space to dribble? Can you break a line? If not, how can we create a better opportunity? We can also use KPIs to reinforce the behaviours we want to see. For example, tracking how often players recognise and exploit opportunities to progress, rather than simply counting forward passes. // One final thought. If you constantly tell players to pass forward, they may start following your instructions instead of reading the game. That's not what we want. We want players who recognise situations, make their own decisions, and understand when to progress and when to keep possession. Forward Mentality isn't about always playing forward. It's about always looking for the opportunity to do so. // P.S. Want to build brave, fast, and competitive players? Learn how to apply these 9 principles inside Football Coaching Hub. Try 7 days free: skool.com/football-coaching-…

How can we ever keep everyone happy? @DanAbrahams77 recounts a tale from his time at Bournemouth. One player loved the session, the other hated it! You just can't win them all!

Carrick says you don't have to press to win games. Bruno says the staff told them not to press man-to-man. They're both right. And that's exactly why United's press doesn't work. 🧵