After, leading 1000s of hours of coaching sessions.

Co-coaching for 1000s of hours with top coaches.

Receiving 1000s of player feedback from all ages.

Here’s 13 "must know" lessons I’ve learnt 🧵 1. Plan with the end in mind

How does each practice lead into the next?

It’s important to build incrementally for the players to see how the learnings from each session progresses into the successive one.

This will save time when trying to explain the next session.

Few coaches know who Jonathan Harding is.

But he wrote one of the finest books in coaching.

It's called "Mensch".

His writing reveals the talent development of coaches in Germany.

(And I sat down with him 1-to-1)

Here's 8 key insights

THREAD 🧵 Before we start.

This is the book.

Do yourself a favour and grab a copy!

Now let's dive into the review 👇

Only have a quarter of a pitch?

I coached an U15s & U16s Category 3 Academy team for three years with limited spaces.

Frustrating? Yes.

Chance to be innovative? Yes.

Here are 5 tips.

THREAD 🧵 1. Length for wide play

Moving the goals off centre facilitated practices focusing on developing wide play with enough space in behind for deeper players to make runs into and receive.

Most coaches tell players to “play at match tempo.”

But when it comes to demonstrating themselves, many drop the speed, intensity, and realism.

If your demo is slow, the message is lost.

Here are 7 reasons why tempo matters.

THREAD 🧵 1. Clarity

Players learn by copying what they see.

If you show a pass, press, or movement at half-speed, they’ll assume that’s the standard.

Demonstrating at match tempo provides a clear picture of the demands in real game moments.

"I want to be an academy coach"

(But so do 10,000s of other coaches)

After coaching in 4 professional football academies, there is one question I ask aspiring coaches.

Do you understand the environment you want to go into?

These are your 6 "NEED TO KNOWS". I’ve learnt from Academy Directors who have won a World Cup and developed £100 million Superstars.

And, 13 years later, each environment taught me common non-negotiables.

So, let me save you some time.

Let's dive in.

This is my "no club, no worry" strategy.

It takes just 5 steps of intentional work.

(And most coaches give up after 1 month of no results)

But, the question I get the most?

"How do I get to work in a professional club?"

Here's your 5 step strategy

(THREAD)🧵 1. 1 hour radius mapping

Identify clubs within a 1 hour radius of where you live.
Start from Non-league to Premier League clubs.

For me? It was 13 clubs starting with Dagenham & Redbridge to Arsenal.

"There's no such thing as 1v1 in football!"

I've delivered 100s of 1v1 practices, but hearing this comment has made me reflect more deeply.

What helped my reflections?

Two Versus One

I have to say, EVERY coach needs a copy.

THREAD🧵 With reviews from:

Hansi Flick
Julian Nagelsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann
Oliver Bierhoff

I had to read it!

The UEFA B Licence application is just the first (and very important) part.

But there are key considerations for you to know as a coach after getting that "successful application" response.

Here are 5 ways for YOU to prepare (from today):

THREAD 🧵 1. Principles of Play

As an invasion game, there are certain principles in football that will never change, no matter your formation, style of play or patterns.

Attacking Principles
- Providing Support
- Creating Space
- Penetration
- Movement
- Creativity (argused by some as not being a principle)

Defending Principles
- Control & Restraint
- Cover & Balabnce
- Compactness
- Delaying
- Pressing

I'm giving away this 27-page document for free.

You won't find these UEFA B application hacks anywhere else. 1000s more coaches will be applying.

You can put yourself ahead by starting today.

What people think football coaching is:

1. Shouting tactical instructions from the sideline.
2. Lifting trophies with your best players.
3. Designing world-class sessions.

Sounds simple, right?

Here’s what it actually is:

(The reality that most don’t see 👇🏾) 1. Doing your session on 1/4 of a pitch because space is tight (again).

COACHING FOOTBALL SESSIONS: They can be complex.

But there are some thoughts which can help.

Here's 6 (& you can use them today). 1. Mini-goals

Consider the distance of mini-goals and how they can represent particular passing lanes into certain players

Eg. Three mini-goals representing a winger, No.9 and switch pass to opposite winger

I always get this asked this one question.

"What should I do to progress my career as a football coach?"

Although every coach will have a different journey.

There are keys things to do.

Here's 8 🧵 1. Find a mentor

Find someone who is at the level you desire to be and learn from them.

Whether it's their qualifications or professional level.

They will also be able to afford you experiences which are not advertised and open unexpected doors of opportiunity.

Radical thought.

What if academy players had the flexibility to choose when they trained?

Well, that’s exactly what AIK FC have done.

And it's working.

How? 🧵 1. Delay selection

Firstly, the foundation of this approach begins by delaying the selection of players into the academy until age 13.

However, they do have UEFA A & B Licence coaches who support the 8-12 year olds attached to the club, their parents and coaches.

“I lost my identity.”

In a recent interview with ITV, that’s how Morgan Rogers described his time after signing for Manchester City.

Hearing those words from a player upsets me. 🧵 At 15, he was considered the breakout star.

• England youth international.
• Signed by the top football club in the country.
• Expected to be the next academy product to break through.

You cannot watch as a fan.

Be a student.

There’s 1000s of hours to study football games on tv.

When learning the craft of coaching.

After endless hours of watching games.

The best visual skill I learnt.

Stop watching the ball.

Here's 7 reasons why: 1. Furthest player from the ball

Watching the furthest player from the ball gives you an indication of how a team are:

1. Planning to switch play

2. Denying attacking runs

3. Being cautious for the counterattack

4. Looking how to stretch the pitch to play between the lines

I’ve spent 1000s of hours coaching academy sessions, co-coaching and hearing what players really think.

Here’s 13 truths every coach needs.

(Many struggle with No.8) 1. Plan with the end in mind How does each practice lead into the next?

It’s important to build incrementally for the players to see how the learnings from each session progresses into the successive one.

This will save time when trying to explain the next session.

"IT'S JUST A NEW FA CASH COW!"

I've seen the outrage all over social media about the FA’s new playing format.

Coaches, parents, and volunteers are calling it “madness.”

There have been 7 main reasons expressed why this is regressionand not progression.

Let’s break it down🧵 1. Not enough pitches, referees, or coaches

• The new format increases demand while the grassroots game is already stretched thin.

• More teams = more volunteers, more facilities, and more officials → who’s providing them?

"It's about TIME!"

This is what many coaches (me included) around the country will be saying about the FA's change to Youth Football in England from 26/27.

3v3 for U7s
11v11 from U14s

In case you don't have the time...here's a breakdown of what you need to know. Firstly this is huge news for grassroots youth football in England! From the 2026-27 season, "FutureFit" will transform the game for young players.

More time on the ball, more action, and better development

"Talent gets you noticed, but mindset keeps you in the game."

Truly thought-provoking time with Lee Johnson who works on the FIFA Talent Coach Programme.

Here's 10 insights for YOU to know: 🧵 1.⁠ ⁠Talent alone isn’t enough

Early perceptions of talent often focus on technical ability, but over time, it becomes clear that mindset, resilience, and determination are what truly separate those who succeed.

How is your coach delivery improving in 2025?

I've led 1000s of hours of academy coaching sessions.
Co-coached for 1000s of hours with elite coaches.

AND

Received 1000s of different feedback from academy players

What have I learnt?

Here's 11 insights which YOU can take 1. Plan with the end in mind

How does each practice lead into the next?

It’s important to build incrementally for the players to see how the learnings from each session progresses into the successive one.

This will save time when trying to explain the next session.

"At U21 level, the 1% details really matter.

Micro-adjustments in training can define results."

This is SAM CLAYTON.

He is the Womens U21 Assistant Coach & U9/U10 Academy Coach at Sunderland AFC.

Here are 8 coaching insights for YOUR journey: 1. Micro details matter

At U21 level, small adjustments in training or in-game decisions can make the difference.

Players must develop decision-making, and over-prompting as a coach can stunt their ability to problem-solve.