Zlatan Ibrahimović recently said something about youth football at AC Milan that every grassroots coach needs to hear.

He described a culture where youth coaches pick the "ready" player over the one with potential because they want to win, and the player with potential loses their game time and their development stalls. He was talking about one of the biggest clubs in the world, but the exact same problem is happening on youth pitches (even more so at the younger foundational age groups) every single weekend.

I've broken this down in the comments 👇 1️⃣ Zlatan put it simply, if a youth coach wants to win, they pick the ready player. The one who's physically bigger, technically further along, more confident on the ball.

But sitting behind that ready player is a child with potential who needs minutes to develop, and if they never get those minutes their development stops.

Milan's answer was to design a system where young players move between squad levels to guarantee game time, if a player isn't getting minutes at one level they drop down to where they will play regularly, develop, and then move back up when they're ready.

The important thing is that this isn't about moving the problem elsewhere or telling a child to go and find their level. It's about the club and the coaches actively meeting the needs of that individual player, facilitating their development, and continuing to coach them through the process rather than just pushing them aside because someone else is more ready right now.

🧵 One day, you’ll look back and realise it all went by in a blink. 👇

The Saturday mornings.
The muddy boots.
The little faces running out full of hope.

One day it’ll all be over.
No more car rides, no more kits to wash, no more “what time’s kick-off?”

And you’ll wish you’d seen it differently. We think there’s time.
Time to fix it, time to change it, time to do it better next season.

But childhood doesn’t wait.
It just passes quietly, without a second chance.

The video we shared of Leeds Utd Academy coach, Andy Wood hit 5M views and sparked over 200 comments in 2023.

Today, we asked AI to read every single one.

Here’s what parents, coaches & fans really think and what youth football can learn 👇

@SundayShare10 #SundayShare 📹 View full video here:
x.com/TheS_Resource/…

Website updated: thesportingresource.co.uk

✨ "We can’t lose the Mavericks." 🧵

Michael Beale’s message on youth development is powerful because it reminds us that football isn’t just about tactics, systems, or drills.

It’s about people.
It’s about individuality.
It’s about protecting the spark that makes a child fall in love with the game.

The truth?
Too often, in coaching, we round off the edges. We try to create perfection.

But the greatest players Messi, Robben and Palmer were celebrated because of their edges.

If we forget this, we risk losing the very players we love to watch.

⚽ Coaches, parents, leaders: Are we creating room for Mavericks, or are we unintentionally pushing them out?

—

Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Source: @bizzofsport
👉 youtu.be/mkV2qE6kGJI?si…

Website:
👉 thesportingresource.co.uk

Great coaching secret: We don't instruct first, we observe first. 👀

The best coaches spend more time watching than talking. What you see determines what you say and when to say nothing at all.

Observation isn't passive coaching, it's the foundation of everything that works.

#CoachDevelopment #ObservationFirst 🧵 👇

Good coaches are walking away from youth sports.

Why?

➠ Rising parent expectations
➠ Constant criticism
➠ Unrealistic development timelines
➠ Volunteer burnout

Remember: Most youth coaches balance full-time jobs, families, and unpaid hours of preparation.

➠ Want better sports? Support before you criticise.

🚨 Your brilliant session plan might fail before it begins...

Not because of your coaching, but because of environmental factors you overlooked.

Some you can control, others you can't.

Let's explore what you should be mindful of... 🧵⚽️🏀 Environmental factors in coaching aren't just about the weather.

They include:

● Physical environment
● Social dynamics
● Psychological atmosphere
● Temporal elements

All impact your session's effectiveness. Let's break these down.

⚠️Tired of seeing sideline drama? Car ride lectures? 😬 Parents living through their kids? 🙄

🧵We've created the ultimate guide for sports parents who want the BEST for their young players! 🧠💪

Key highlights:

➠ Focus on development, not just results 📈
➠ Master those post-game car conversations 🚗
➠ Let THEM own their sporting journey 🔑
➠ Build healthy team relationships 🤝

Remember → "Long after the scores are forgotten, your child will remember how you made them FEEL about their sporting experience." 💯

Sports parents: What's your biggest challenge on the sidelines?

Drop it below! 👇

#SundayShare @SundayShare10

🧵 COACHES: Are your sessions wasting precious time?

We've created "12 Time Management Tips to Maximise Your Football Sessions" in this thread ⬇️

You'll learn how to:

➟ Get players on the ball IMMEDIATELY
➟ Maintain 80% actual playing time
➟ Streamline transitions between activities
➟ Use age-appropriate explanations

Have a look 👇

📚The Louis van Gaal leadership masterclass: How one coach built WINNING teams at Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern & Man United using principles that work ANYWHERE.

His system creates champions through brutal honesty and total accountability. I've decoded his methods for you here. 🧵👇 What seriously struck us about van Gaal: At Ajax, he framed "Quality is the exclusion of coincidence" on his office wall. When players won the Champions League in '95, he took the trophy to the LAUNDRY ROOM and told staff "this one is for you too!"

➟ His vision always includes EVERYONE from stars to support staff.

The English FA just announced major changes to youth football from 2026/27. As a youth coach, I'm genuinely excited about what this means for player development.

Here's why... 🧵 The biggest change? U7s will start with 3v3 instead of 5v5. Here's what this means:

📈 More touches (300% increase)
🎯 More 1v1 situations
⚡️ More decisions
🎮 More involvement

This isn't just change. It's evolution.

"I aim to complete my UEFA B License but wasn't sure what to expect......."

Here's a snapshot of what's covered and what you need to know 🧵 The course breaks down into 3 key practice types:

➟ Lead-in practices (focus on technique + decisions)
➟ Small-sided games (8v8, 7v7 etc)
➟ Attack v Defense practices Each needs specific coaching points and clear player objectives

🧵 Here's what we've learned from: "Coach Wooden's Leadership Game Plan for Success: 12 Lessons for Extraordinary Performance and Personal Excellence" by John Wooden & Steve Jamison.

A deep dive into leadership principles from one of sports' greatest coaches... 👇 Core Values That Drive Success:

✅ Good values attract good people
✅ Character matters more than reputation
✅ Lead by example, not just words

"You destroy your adversary when you make them your friend"

#Leadership #Values

🧵A Season at Liverpool FC: Key Learnings from Pep Lijnders' Book 👇 "Our identity is intensity" - How Klopp and his team created a championship mentality through clear principles:

➠ High-energy training sessions
➠ Counter-pressing as a core philosophy
➠ Collective development over individual
➠ Freedom within structure
➠ Trust and player autonomy

🛑Parents, stop coaching from the sidelines, do this instead? 🧵 Picture this: Your child's in the middle of a game, and you're shouting instructions from the sideline.

🔓Sound familiar?

Let's break down why this might not be the best approach...

🤝⚽️Success in youth sports goes beyond winning.

🧵Here are 10 different ways to identify success beyond the final score 👇 1⃣ Team Bonding and Togetherness

Success in youth sports is about making everyone feel welcome and valued, no matter what happens on the field. When players feel like they belong and support each other, that's a win.

🗒️ Understanding the 4-2-3-1:

ℹ️ Key Components and Considerations

👉 thesportingresource.co.uk
🗒️ Understanding the 4-2-3-1:

🔘 Building
🔘 Recycling
🔘 Creating
🔘 Finishing

🔘 Low Block
🔘 Mid-Low Block
🔘 Mid-High Block
🔘 High Block

👉 thesportingresource.co.uk

🧵Why shouting instructions from the sideline doesn't help as a parent: 1. Diminished Delight: When parents shout from the sidelines in youth sports, they risk robbing their children of the sheer joy of playing, replacing it with a burden of pressure and anxiety.

🧵Benefits of being silent as a youth coach during games: 1. Empowerment: Remaining silent during youth games empowers players to take ownership of their decisions and actions on the field. It allows them to solve problems independently and learn from their mistakes.

🔓 Brighton FC: Kaoru Mitoma

🔵⚪️ Here are 5 elements that make Kaoru Mitoma a great Brighton & Hove Albion player! ⚽️🌟 #BHAFC #KaoruMitoma ⤵️ 1⃣ 👟 Technical Skills: Mitoma's exceptional dribbling, ball control, and accurate crossing provide a dynamic attacking threat. His technical proficiency is a key asset in breaking down opposition defences.

✨Ange Postecoglou: @SpursOfficial

Tactical breakdown of Tottenham Hotspur under Ange Postecoglou:

thesportingresource.wordpress.com
Tottenham play an attacking, possession-based style of football. They will look to keep the ball and build up play patiently, creating chances through their movement and passing.