Coachcast

Pre-season is your opportunity to set the tone for the season ahead.
It's about understanding your players, creating the right environment and putting the foundations in place for a successful season.
And in this episode, coaching and learning developer Conal Murnin returns to Coachcast to share how coaches can make the most of pre-season. We speak about  reflecting on your own coaching and planning sessions that meet the needs of your players. Conal also explains how small decisions before the season begins can have a lasting impact into the season and keep players coming back for more.
Whether you coach once a week or have multiple sessions to work with, you'll learn how to prioritise what matters most and how to tell if your pre-season is a success.
Covered in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:05 – Top coaching tips.
2:38 – Understanding your strengths as a coach and where you need to improve.
4:15 – Why self-reflection matters before a new season.
5:35 – What to reflect on when planning pre-season.
7:29 – Priorities for the first few weeks of pre-season.
9:39 – Building an effective pre-season with only one session a week.
13:34 – Preparing players for the physical demands without them losing the excitement.
17:36 – Understanding players and their ability levels.
20:04 – Setting expectations with parents during pre-season.
21:54 – Friendlies and tournaments in pre-season.
27:04 – Measuring pre-season success.
28:48 – The biggest pre-season mistake coaches make.
32:28 – A session idea you can use before a matchday.
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Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our England Football Community forum (https://community.thefa.com/) and post them there. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!
Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via Coachcast@thefa.com.
LEARN MORE
England Football Learning - https://learn.englandfootball.com/England Football Community - https://community.thefa.com/
England Football Learning on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVwEngland Football Learning Twitter - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning
Email - Coachcast@thefa.com
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id1591804808
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Before the new season begins, many coaches are busy planning sessions, setting goals and thinking about their players. But one of the most valuable things you can do is to take a step back and reflect on yourself.
In this episode, pathway coach developer Darel Tidman-Poole joins us to explore the power of self-reflection and how it can help develop your skills and prepare you for the season ahead.
Darel shares practical ways to reflect on your experiences and understand your behaviours so that you can show up better for your players.
Reflection isn’t all about focusing on past mistakes, though. Darel explains how coaches can use reflection to build on existing strengths and become more intentional in the way they coach.
If you're preparing for a new season, this is a perfect time to reflect, and this episode will help you reflect in the way that’s right for you.
Covered in this episode:
0:00 – Intro.
1:30 – Top coaching tips.
2:11 – Darel's route into coaching.
4:47 – Tips for coaches leading a session for the first time.
7:45 – Advice for coaches on the coaching pathway.
10:27 – Why copying other coaches isn’t the answer.
12:23 – How coaches become role models.
12:59 – What coaches should do as they wait for the new season.
16:19 – Understanding self-reflection and the three questions to ask yourself.
18:10 – The reflection reframe that can help you progress as a coach.
19:16 – Reflecting on behaviours and actions as a coach.
22:45 – Taking control of behaviours and understanding your triggers.
24:20 – Tools available to help coaches reflect.
27:00 – The importance of getting feedback from others.
32:05 – The most important thing to remember when self-reflecting.
33:37 – A self-reflection challenge for coaches.
34:49 – A session idea utilising overloads and underloads.
—————
Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our England Football Community forum (https://community.thefa.com/) and post them there. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!
Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via Coachcast@thefa.com.
LEARN MORE
England Football Learning - https://learn.englandfootball.com/England Football Community - https://community.thefa.com/
England Football Learning on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVwEngland Football Learning Twitter - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning
Email - Coachcast@thefa.com
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id1591804808
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

A new season is upon us, and with it, brings a new format.

That’s why, in this episode, Andy Dyke joins us to dive into what coaches should prioritise at the start of the new season and what exactly coaches need to know about the new format.

As part of the play experience team within the grassroots division, Andy works to improve player choice and opportunity across the game, while also coaching an U5s team himself.

The conversation dives into the new 3v3 format and the wider format changes being introduced, exploring what they mean for both players and coaches.

Whether you're welcoming new players, coaching a team moving into a new format or trying to set the right foundations for the months ahead, Andy shares practical advice to help you start the season with confidence.

Covered in this episode:
0:00 – Intro

2:15 – Top coaching tips.

3:07 – What coaches should focus on first at the start of a new season.

6:06 – Advice for welcoming new players.

7:46 – Tips for brand-new coaches.

10:41 – Preparing for the new format this season.

13:01 – How moving formats can impact players.

14:15 – The format changes coming this season.

16:31 – Reactions from coaches to the 3v3 format.

19:03 – The benefits of 3v3 football for players.

21:22 – What's in it for coaches?

27:51 – How 3v3 is being adopted in reality.

28:52 – What does the future of youth football look like?

32:53 – Andy's message to all coaches.

—————
Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our England Football Community forum (https://community.thefa.com/) and post them there. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via Coachcast@thefa.com.

LEARN MORE
England Football Learning - https://learn.englandfootball.com/England Football Community - https://community.thefa.com/
England Football Learning on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVwEngland Football Learning Twitter - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning
Email - Coachcast@thefa.com

LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id1591804808
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning 
Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://claricast.com/)

In this bonus episode, England men’s U21 head coach Lee Carsley shares the mindset, behaviours and decisions behind his coaching approach and back-to-back U21 European successes.

Lee led the Young Lions to European Championship titles in 2023 and 2025, and, here, he reflects on his journey into coaching and the key lessons that have shaped his approach.

The conversation goes beyond tactics, offering insight into how Lee builds relationships with players, creates environments where individuals can thrive and manages the pressure of tournaments for coaches and players.

Whether you’re coaching at grassroots or higher, there’s plenty to take away from Lee’s experience.

In this episode, we cover:
Lee’s journey into coaching
Lee’s advice for new coaches starting out
key learnings from winning two European titles
what to say to players before a tournament
designing realistic, game-relevant practices
managing tournaments successfully
Lee’s coaching behaviours
helping players enjoy tournaments while staying competitive
and more…

—————
Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coachcast@thefa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning
Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coachcast@thefa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)

With the season winding down, it’s a perfect time to start planning for the next one.

The end of a season gives coaches a chance to reset. But preparation for the next season shouldn’t wait until it’s just around the corner.

That’s why, in our final episode of the season, we’re joined by FA regional manager, Zahid Patel, to share how coaches can prepare effectively for the season ahead. Zahid picked up a wide range of experience across grassroots football, coaching camps, and delivering tournaments before joining The FA. He offers practical advice to help you reflect and set clear goals.

From measuring success beyond results to revisiting your code of conduct and getting buy-in from players, this conversation will help you approach the new season with clarity.

Whichever age and stage you’re coaching, Zahid shares insights that will help you set the tone and create the right environment from day one.

In this episode, we cover:
the top three things every coach should do before a new season
what good reflection looks like
why gathering feedback from players, parents and peers is essential
how playing multiple positions can support development
how preparation differs across age groups
measuring success beyond wins and losses
revisiting your code of conduct and the secret to gaining buy-in from players and parents
Zahid’s three key elements of an effective code of conduct
when to start planning for the next season
and more…
—————
Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community forum⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!

Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coachcast@thefa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

LEARN MORE
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://learn.englandfootball.com/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://community.thefa.com/
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠England Football Learning X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning
Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coachcast@thefa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LISTEN
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@EnglandFootballLearning

Editing and show notes by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Claricast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)