Coachcast

Are you getting the most out of your players? 
The format of the game can have a huge impact on how players learn, make decisions and enjoy football. Understanding why each format exists can help you create better learning experiences every week.
In this episode, Chris Welburn, coach development manager, explains the thinking behind each format. You'll learn which formats are right for which stage and help build your players’ decision making skills.
We also explore how to create the right environment for learning and how to help players get the most from every stage of their development.
Whether you're planning sessions or for matchday, this episode will help you get more from every format.
Access the webinar: https://learn.englandfootball.com/ongoing-learning/Grassroots-Webinars/2627/develop-my-players-across-different-game-formats
Get the Know Your Format guide: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/faqs/where-can-i-find-out-more-about-the-changes-to-youth-football/index.html
FutureFit Hub: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/
Covered in this episode:
0:00 – Intro.

1:12 – Chris' biggest coaching tip for connecting with players.

3:42 – The "Know Your Format" guide.

6:43 – How gradual progression through formats supports development and enjoyment.

8:40 – Supporting parents who want children to move to 11v11 sooner.

10:19 – The benefits of spending longer in smaller formats.

15:24 – A 60-second summary of the formats and their benefits.

17:26 – The benefits of 3v3.

18:19 – What a 3v3 matchday should look like.

20:51 – Sideline restarts and supporting better decision making.

25:14 – Designing practices that develop decision making.

27:27 – What is the retreat line and why does it matter?

30:20 – Creating the right environment when mistakes happen.

32:14 – How coaches should respond to mistakes.

34:07 – The one coaching resource every coach should access.

38:43 – Two key takeaways to improve your coaching practice.

40:14 – Chris' message to every coach.

41:27 – A practice idea you can use in your next session.

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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

Every coach has an impact on the players they support. What kind of impact are you having?
In this episode, Preeti Shokar joins Coachcast to explore what it means to be a positive role model and why it matters.
Preeti coaches the Derby County U18s with a focus on analysis. She shares practical advice to help coaches create fun learning environments and support players in training and on matchday.
Whether you're coaching your first session or preparing for a new season, this conversation will help you understand how your words, actions and behaviours can shape a player's experience of football and leave a long lasting impression.
Covered in this episode:
0:00 – Intro.

1:00 – Top coaching tips.

2:24 – Preeti's journey into coaching.

3:55 – Early challenges most coaches face.

6:24 – Preeti’s most memorable coaching memory.

8:07 – Introducing The Mentee Development Programme.

11:06 – How mentoring and being a role model helps coaches develop.

13:03 – Advice that every coach needs to hear.

14:50 – Why getting things wrong is okay.

17:24 – Quick-fire questions answered.

21:57 – Why children need role models in football.

24:49 – What being a role model looks like during a coaching session.

26:46 – Helping players want to come to training, whatever the weather.

30:33 – Why fun is essential for learning.

32:57 – The most important thing to get right in your first coaching session.

35:05 – What success really looks like as a coach.

40:35 – A headers and volleys practice you can use in your next session.

—————
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.
MENTION IN THIS EPISODE
Heading in Football - https://www.englandfootball.com/participate/learn/brain-health/heading-in-football
https://learn.englandfootball.com/articles-and-resources/coaching/resources/2024/How-to-coach-your-players-when-heading-isnt-allowed
https://learn.englandfootball.com/articles-and-resources/coaching/resources/2024/How-to-coach-your-players-when-heading-is-allowed
Mentee Development Programme - https://learn.englandfootball.com/ongoing-learning/Initiatives/mentee-development-programme
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 session that’s fun, safe and welcoming is one that ensures players not only want to come back for more every week, but also continue to develop.
And in this episode, Andy Somers, senior manager for grassroots coach development, shares practical advice on planning and delivering sessions that are fun, safe and welcoming for every player.
From helping children feel excited to attend sessions, to adapting practices and responding positively to mistakes, Andy explains how even the smallest  actions can have a lasting impact.
Whether you’re new to coaching or have years of experience, this episode is full of practical ideas to help you create an environment where players feel confident and motivated to keep coming back.
Covered in this episode:
0:00 – Intro.

1:08 – Andy's biggest top tip for coaches.

2:30 – Andy's coaching journey.

6:36 – Early challenges coaches face.

8:28 – Advice for new coaches.

11:46 – What a fun, safe and welcoming session means.

13:00 – How to ensure kids are excited for training.

15:02 – Behaviour and making time for your players.

18:07 – Brilliant basics for welcoming players, including those who arrive late.

23:40 – Adjusting sessions to meet players' needs.

27:44 – Getting to know your players.

30:28 – Planning practices that combine fun, learning and development.

34:13 – Practice design that keeps players engaged.

38:17 – A session example that captured players' imaginations.

42:09 – Adapting sessions to keep them fresh and build learning.

47:08 – Responding to mistakes to build player confidence.

51:52 – One thing every coach should know.

53:20 – A fun practice idea you can use.

—————
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.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Webinar - https://learn.englandfootball.com/ongoing-learning/Grassroots-Webinars/2627/design-and-deliver-sessions-that-are-safe-fun-and-inclusive 
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

Good coaching starts with a plan. But how far ahead should coaches be thinking, and how do you build sessions that help players improve over time?
In this episode, Vinny Halsall returns to Coachcast to explore how coaches can plan and deliver effective short-term coaching programmes.
As part of the grassroots coach development team, Vinny shares practical strategies to help you save time, connect player learning between sessions and adapt your plans as numbers change and your players develop.
If you’re looking for a more structured approach to planning sessions, this conversation will help you create programmes that keep players engaged while supporting long-term development.
0:00 – Intro

1:45 – The “five Ps” of preparing a programme.

2:51 – Understanding the ingredients of a coaching programme.

4:48 – What is a short-term coaching programme?

6:39 – Why should you plan more than one session at a time?

8:34 – How to save time when planning.

11:06 – Choosing the right theme for your programme.

14:12 – The "Play What You See" strategy.

16:08 – Linking learning between sessions with the three Rs.

23:08 – What to remember when planning programmes.

25:27 – What “G.O.O.D.” session design looks like.

26:38 – The “three Os” for adapting to unexpected numbers.

30:44 – Building ownership and decision making into your programme.

35:06 – How to know if your programme is working.

38:15 – What to change when a programme isn't working.

47:02 – Adapting programmes for different age groups.

50:21 – Why "less is more" when planning programmes.

53:26 – Vinny's message for coaches.

55:59 – A whole-part-whole session idea.

—————
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/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw
England 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

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.
—————
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