Coaching Resources

Here’s an example of how I build progressions within one drill ⚽️ Same setup. More pressure. That’s how players improve. Here’s how 🧵

I saw a post on LinkedIn and loved this quote😍 I'd prefer a coach who may know less, but has enthusiasm for what they do, and the enthusiasm to learn, over a coach who knows loads, but who's going through the motions. Thoughts?

4 defending drills I use to cover every phase from goal kick → defending the box ⚽️ Same logic as the attacking drills I shared yesterday. Here are examples 🧵

4 attacking drills I use to cover every phase from build-up → scoring goals ⚽️ Here are examples 🧵

If I could only use 5 small-sided games… ⚽️ These would be them. Not because they’re perfect— but because they work together. Here’s why 🧵

Quick tip to support your players’ learning and help build a strong culture within the team - Ask players to come up with 3 team values - link those values to your session objectives (every session) - use values to re-emphasise a coaching point

4v4 Transition Battles Created via @SSPlanner Download the session for FREE - Link in the first comment 👇

3v2 Attack. How to attack when numbers up Sharing and Feedback Welcome! youtu.be/4F31xYhDWfU?si…

The ABC shooting practice. Created with @SSPlanner

⚽️ 2v2 + Neutrals ✅ Visit our drill library to view hundreds of specialised & adaptable animated training activities ↙️ 💻 thecoacheszone.com/drill-library

What is a box midfield? You’ve probably heard the term everywhere. But most explanations stop at: • “It’s a square shape in midfield” That’s not enough. Because the box midfield is about control, not just shape 🧵

My #SundayShare is a video of my favourite psych-social practice from my CPD event this week, plus the explanation to it. There are loads of great outcomes like communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Plus it's fun and competitive! Even a group of coaches got into it!

How I push players to the next level ⚽️ Without changing the whole session. Same exercise. More challenge. Here’s how 🧵 #SundayShare

This is a great question. For me, being a good person is the key. As you gain experience and coming across and connected with other coaches, you will naturally start building a reputation. Whether that is as a positive, likeable, knowledgeable, or as a bit of an idiot matters.

What is a 4-4-2 mid block? ⚽ It’s a defensive structure where your team sits in a compact 4-4-2 shape, positioned in the middle third of the pitch rather than pressing high or dropping deep. 🎯 The aim is simple: • Stay tight both vertically and horizontally • Protect central spaces and deny forward passes • Force the opposition wide into predictable areas • Set traps to regain possession Once the ball goes wide or into a trigger zone, the team shifts, presses aggressively, and looks to win it back. It’s controlled, organised, and perfect for teams that want to stay hard to break down while still being ready to counter quickly. 👊 ✍️ Drawn on The One Pitch Planner from thecoacheszone.com

This is one of my favourite games for forward play: ▪︎ Forward runs into space. ▪︎ Break lines with a pass to space. Set up: 9v9+3 floaters. Area 25×45 mts. 2 small goals in each end.

3 things I look for in every good session 👇 1.High repetition of key actions 2.Realistic game scenarios 3.Coaching points delivered at the right moments Get these right consistently and it shows up on match day. Which one do you find hardest? proacademydrills.com

Receiving this feedback from my CPD event on Monday absolutely made my day! It shows the positive impact that a tutor can have, it's fair to say that I'm absolutely loving the role and the impact I'm having. If you get the opportunity to mentor, I'd recommend going for it.

What is a high press in football? Most people think it’s just: • Running a lot • Closing defenders down But that’s not pressing, that’s chaos. A real high press is a coordinated tactical system 🧵

Football is changing faster than we’re developing the coaches to lead it. High press. Low block. Positional play. Transitions. Hybrid systems. Half-time AI briefs. Sports psychology embedded in training sessions. The tactical demands on a modern coach are almost unrecognisable from 15 years ago. And yet how we develop coaches hasn’t kept pace. We still largely reward coaches for what they know, not for how they think. For having answers, not for asking better questions. For managing a session, not for creating an environment where players grow. The best coaches I work with aren’t the most tactically encyclopaedic. They’re the ones who’ve developed the capacity to adapt to players, to data, to pressure, to change itself. That’s not a natural gift. That’s developed. The evolution of football isn’t just happening on the pitch. It’s demanding a fundamentally different kind of coach. Are we building development programmes that reflect that or are we still preparing coaches for a game that no longer exists? What’s the one thing you think modern coach development is still getting wrong?