Author: Rhys Desmond

Across the past decade, I have worked with thousands of players and coaches across multiple sports and disciplines. I recognize the value of diving deeper beyond the first glance, and uncovering the deeper-lying ways to enhance performance. I make a commitment toward positive reinforcement, research-backed insights, and making the experience fun for those that work with me. If you’re interested in learning more about my site or experiencing my coaching, feel free to reach out! 👊⚽

3 Essential Reasons Kids Quit Sport

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Sport Psychology, World Football

Sports have a countless number of benefits, from physical health to emotional well-being to the development of traits, skills and lifelong friends. So it's a mystery why any kid would want to quit a sport. But then again, there are several factors that just make kids no longer want to participate, all of which are very fixable. Here are three essential reasons why kids quit sport, coming from someone who quit two sports at an early age due to some of the reasons listed below. Although this list is not exhaustive and many more explanations exist, these three reasons are some of the most widely researched and discussed in the literature.

5 Ways To Modify Small-Sided Games

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, World Football

Over the past decade, small sided games have become the preferred method of teaching game mechanics in football. Whether for young players or pros, small sided games have been proven to have benefits in allowing players more touches on the ball, more decisions to make but less time to make them, more 1v1 situations, more … Continue reading 5 Ways To Modify Small-Sided Games

The Winners and Losers as Zinedine Zidane Returns to Real Madrid

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Team Analysis, UEFA Champions League, World Football

It was a season of trouble and turmoil for Real Madrid and following a disappointing Champions League exit to Ajax, Santiago Solari was sacked from his position as Real Madrid manager. Although Solari had a reasonably successful time with Los Blancos and a win percentage of 68% to match, there was just something missing all … Continue reading The Winners and Losers as Zinedine Zidane Returns to Real Madrid

Coaching Lessons From a Video Game – FIFA 19

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, World Football

One of the biggest dangers in the world of coaching in youth sports today is the concept of "joy-sticking" - whereby coaches control every act their players do and do not give their athletes freedom to be autonomous in their decisions. What is described in this article may be controversial as it is a literal form of "joy-sticking". However, this article presents the various ways that playing EA Sports' FIFA video game can be useful in analyzing your players, tactics and playing style, especially if coaches are mindful that what they do on the game may not translate into the real world. Although it is only a video game and a literal form of joy-sticking, every coach can benefit in a lot of ways from creating and playing with their team on FIFA 19. 

Best Formations for 11v11

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Formations, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, World Football

In the ever-changing world of football, dozens of formations are being used on a day to day basis around the globe. Choosing the right formation can affect the balance of the game, while the decision of which formation to play can also be instrumental in getting the best out of the players a manager has … Continue reading Best Formations for 11v11

4 Ways Maurizio Sarri Can Save His Job

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, World Football

In all of Chelsea's recent struggles, much has been made about how Maurizio Sarri has failed to do exactly what the three men previous to him also failed to do: adequately manage the Chelsea dressing room. Although Conte, Mourinho and Andre Villas Boas all struggled to make a long-lasting impression on the Chelsea dressing room, … Continue reading 4 Ways Maurizio Sarri Can Save His Job

Dortmund vs. Bayern, The Most Intriguing Bundesliga Title Race in Years

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, World Football

Borussia Dortmund have been flying high in 2018-19, losing just one Bundesliga match so far this season. Their impressive form under Lucien Favre has set up an intriguing battle for the title, especially given Bayern Munich's six season title-winning streak. Niko Kovac's Bayern Munich have had a roller coaster of a campaign so far, but … Continue reading Dortmund vs. Bayern, The Most Intriguing Bundesliga Title Race in Years

Doucoure, Weigl and Gueye? Why are PSG after a new defensive midfielder?

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, UEFA Champions League, World Football

It seems that one of the only stories to follow this winter in the January transfer window is the ongoing saga at PSG involving a new defensive midfielder. With the likes of Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot, defensive midfield has never been a problem area for Les Rouge-et-Bleu in recent years. However, all of … Continue reading Doucoure, Weigl and Gueye? Why are PSG after a new defensive midfielder?