Game Plan Coaching Podcast

Peter Sturgess: From Transmission to Possibility

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Welcome to the first episode in the brand-new series of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast. In this conversation, I’m joined by Peter Sturgess: a coach, coach educator, and one of the most influential voices in helping coaches create better experiences for children in football.

Together we explore what it really looks like to coach with young players, not at them, and how great coaching doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful.

In this episode we cover

  • Possibility Thinking: why children often see more options than adults do - and how coaching can unlock that.
  • Voice, choice, and autonomy (without chaos): how to build responsibility in steps, so empowerment actually works.
  • A hybrid approach to coaching: knowing when to lead, when to follow, and how to build a true partnership with players.
  • Helping the “dribbler” thrive: instead of restricting players, supporting what motivates them and shaping it into smarter decisions.
  • Scaling the game for young children: why getting formats right (like 2v2, 2v1, and 3v3) matters for learning, enjoyment, and long-term participation.
  • Space as a coaching tool: different pitch sizes create different “returns” - and coaches can get more intentional with this.
  • From session topics to session objectives: why “How can we score more goals?” can engage more players than “Tonight is dribbling”.
  • Randomness & reactive agility: building practice that players must notice and adapt to - like the real game.
  • Game-changing advice: the underrated value of volunteering, mentoring, and learning alongside others over time.

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    Links

    • Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/ 
    • Pete’s website — The Session Collective: https://www.thesessioncollective.co.uk/about-5 
    • Feedback form (future guests & episode ideas): https://forms.gle/SDCdYhS799nxgfrG9 

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        • Thanks for listening - and welcome to the new series.

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        Game Plan Coaching PodcastBy Tom Hartley