Category: Masterclasses

Creating Unstructured Sporting Environments – TMS Podcast

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Podcast, Sport Psychology, The Mastermind Site Podcast

COVID-19 has presented a unique opportunity for community sports organizations and their coaches to rethink their practices and work toward greater inclusivity. In Canada, few opportunities exist in the community for youth to practice on their own through unstructured play and unstructured learning environments. This episode explores how we can create these unstructured sporting environments in Canada, using programs like Kicks in the UK as an example. We also explore how to inspire youth to achieve greater individual involvement in the sport, both in terms of participation and individual involvement within games.

How To Press Like Jessie Marsch’s Salzburg

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Managers, Masterclasses, Team Analysis, UEFA Champions League

Jesse Marsch is one of the most buzzworthy managers in the world of football at the moment. Since taking over at Red Bull Salzburg for Marco Rose, the American has developed a reputation as a tactical innovator and one of the most exciting young managers in the game. However, it's not as though Salzburg's record is anything out of the ordinary from previous managers. The buzz and attention surrounding the former MLS superstar is instead much more about how Marsch's tactics and coaching styles have been out of the ordinary. His open communication regarding his coaching philosophies and principles of play has also been welcome, and only increased the manager's growing reputation. Here is a tactical analysis of Jesse Marsch's Red Bull Salzburg.

Jesse Marsch – RB Salzburg – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Managers, Masterclasses, Team Analysis, UEFA Champions League, World Football

Jesse Marsch is one of the most buzzworthy managers in the world of football at the moment. Since taking over at Red Bull Salzburg for Marco Rose, the American has developed a reputation as a tactical innovator and one of the most exciting young managers in the game. However, it's not as though Salzburg's record is anything out of the ordinary from previous managers. The buzz and attention surrounding the former MLS superstar is instead much more about how Marsch's tactics and coaching styles have been out of the ordinary. His open communication regarding his coaching philosophies and principles of play has also been welcome, and only increased the manager's growing reputation. Here is a tactical analysis of Jesse Marsch's Red Bull Salzburg.

Play with Your Brain – Travis Norsen Book Interview

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Education

That quote, from one of football's greatest ever players, is the opening statement by which Play with Your Brain: A Guide to Smarter Soccer for Players, Coaches and Parents, predicates itself upon. The book serves as a wonderful guide for anyone involved in the beautiful game to learn how players can become better, smarter soccer players. Author of the book Travis Norsen gives TheMastermindSite.com an exclusive interview about his thoughts on the book and what players, coaches and parents can learn from reading his guide. Be sure to check out the book on Amazon.

How To Boss The Midfield Like Kovacic and Jorginho – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Coaching, Defensive Midfield, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, World Football

Thomas Tuchel currently remains unbeaten in his first three matches in charge of Chelsea. During that time his team have kept over 70% of the possession and haven't conceded a single goal. One of Tuchel's most impressive tactical implementations has been his reliance on Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic as a double-pivot in a highly functional 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 system that transforms into a 3-2-5 in attack. Jorginho and Kovacic are playing just about as well as any central midfielders in the world at the moment, and might just be the pair of players that can bring Chelsea to greater times. This article will explore how players of any age can boss the midfield like Kovacic and Jorginho.

1v1 Defending Tips for Success

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Fullback, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Education, Sport Psychology, Winger

Players engage in 1v1 battles just about as much as anything else in the game. So, to help players defend their 1v1's to the best of their ability, we provide eight tips for success when defending 1v1 situations.

Pressing from the Front – Tactical Trends in 2020

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Premier League, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, World Football

One of the most consistent tactics of the past decade has been the reliance on pressing from the front from some of the biggest clubs in the world. It would be foolish to say that pressing did not exist until the 2010s. What is perhaps more true is just how systematic pressing has become in recent years. In 2020, pressing evolved in unique ways, with many teams bringing their own unique approach to the tactical trend. Here are some of the trends seen in 2020 with regards to pressing from the front.

Innovation in Community Sport Organizations during COVID-19

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses

Innovation can be defined as the adoption of a new idea or behaviour. It is an important function of organizational effectiveness and an organization’s ability to survive CSOs often need to innovate a result of changes in the environment or societal pressures. This may include changing technologies, demographics and a multitude of threats that could arise in an organization’s external environment. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is inevitable and important that organizations adapt their programming to meet the changing needs of society. But the ability of CSOs to return to play in any fashion, let alone implement new programming and engage in innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic, was dependent on directives from their governing organizations and the organization’s ability to acquire and utilize critical resources, such as human support and external funding. Clubs that did not have the capacity to meet the guidelines set by their governing bodies or the capacity to create new innovations within those guidelines, may not have been able to successfully complete those changes.