Player Development Project Podcast - Learning Tools for Soccer Coaching

In this On The Grass episode we are joined by Graham Mills. We discuss putting individual development at the centre of our approach.

Graham, UEFA A and Advanced Youth Award holder, is currently a Lecturer in Football Coaching at Solent University. He holds a BA Honours degree in Coach Education and Sports Development from The University of Bath. 

In this chat we talk through the process of setting targets, focusing on individuals through training and game day and empowering young players on their journey. 

Let's get started! 

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

Creativity values, culture, systems and control. What does it all mean and how does it impact coaching and sporting environments? In this Masterclass Discussion, PDP Editor, Dave Wright hosts Co-Founder of my fastest mile, Mark Upton alongside PDP Lead Researcher and AIK Academy Coach, James Vaughan.

In this wide-ranging conversation, the guys discuss some of James’ Phd research and his recently published paper on creativity, as well as diving down a number of rabbit holes such as:

• Challenging the role of traditional sports science
• The problem with creativity
• Data built programs
• The concept of control
• Systemic issues in youth development
• Organisational culture

This philosophical discussion will hopefully leave you considering your approach and generate a few different perspectives to look at your own coaching. When tuning in to this one, consider the environments we create, how we shape them and how they shape us.

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

In this episode of On The Grass I am joined by Maxwell Opondo Mbai.

Maxi has vast experience in the game working in a number of different environments – he has worked as a coach in academy football, non-league and the women’s game, as well as a scout for a league one football team. 

In this meandering chat Maxi shares some of his reflections – successes and failures during this journey. We discuss lots of topics in this one, we touch on session design, developing individuals and player motivation. 

Maxi is a coach I have worked closely with and he has a great eye for detail, I really enjoyed this discussion he has a fantastic voice for podcast!

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

In this Masterclass Discussion, PDP Editor, Dave Wright is joined by Mark Lyons - Pre Academy Co-ordinator and Lead Coach at Leicester City Football Club.

In this wide ranging conversation, Mark and Dave dive into the topic of coaching foundation phase aged players. If you work with U7-11 players, this is essential viewing. Mark shares his philosophy, insights into the clubs approach when working with young children, the importance of fun, variety of experiences, session design and more. Mark is a vastly experienced coach, holds the UEFA A license and FA Advanced Youth Award and this discussion contains a huge amount of practical advice for coaches working with young players.

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

In this episode I am joined by the newest member of the PDP team, James Coutts.  

In this podcast we explore some of James’ playing and coaching journey.  I was keen to ask who has influenced his coaching style and what are the key bits he has learnt along the way! James has recently joined the PDP as a coaching advisor, so it was great to learn more and share with the PDP community.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

The question this week comes from Frank via our Facebook Page,

He asks: "How can I do position specific work with my players?"

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

When we started this series of shows we were keen to share some of the fascinating stories of people working “on the grass”, and Gareth Byres is the embodiment of this.

He has over 20 years experience of coaching young people and he is a busy guy! His background includes working in specialist schools, mentoring grassroots coaches, developing the girls game and making time to take his sons grassroots teams.

This discussion addresses some of the questions we get asked by members. Gareth covers working with parents, developing lifelong friends through sport and some practical tips for coaches working in any set up.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

In this Masterclass Discussion, PDP Editor, Dave Wright is joined by Academy Manager of Birmingham City FC, Kristjaan Speakman for an in depth and wide ranging conversation.

Kristjaan has been at the club for well over a decade and has also coached at Derby County under the guidance of Terry Westley. Now one of England's most highly regarded Academy Managers, Kristjaan sits down with Dave to discuss leadership, coaching and coach development, shares insights into the journey of Demarai Gray & recent first team debutant, Jude Bellingham plus much more.

This discussion contains a huge amount of practical advice for developing coaches from session design to individual planning, so don't miss it.

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership.

Gordon and Dave dive into a discussion which includes practical advice for parents on how to support their children in sport, how clubs can better engage with parents, how to manage the car ride home and much more.

Gordon has vast coaching and teaching experience and this discussion is essential viewing for coaches and clubs looking to better understand parental influence in youth sport.

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast

In this episode of “On The Grass..” Dan Wright is joined by Sam Grace. Sam is currently the Lead U16 Coach at Reading FC, and has 12 years’ experience coaching in academy football.

In this podcast Sam takes us through some of his masters research around Sports Psychology, as we discuss some of the implications for both coaches and players.

The UEFA A Licence coach shares some strategies to help coaches and performers to develop their understanding of their emotions and how to improve their performance on the pitch. As always there are lots of practical tips for coaches working with young players.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Exclusive offer for Podcast listeners: 30 Days Free Active Membership. Visit www.playerdevelopmentproject.com/podcast