Category: Coach Education

Our Ten Most Popular Analyses of 2021

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Team Analysis, World Football

2021 was the most successful year in the six year history of TheMastermindSite.com. Over the course of the year, we doubled our number of views, visitors, social media followers and email subscribers from where we left off in 2020. Our most popular feature and the aspect of our website that has gained the attention from pro club managers, former and current professional players, and writers from The Athletic, has been our tactical analyses all year long. So with that, here are the ten most popular analyses of the year, all written by Rhys Desmond in 2021.

Wolves 0-0 Chelsea – Tactical Analysis – Bruno Lage’s Defensive Masterclass

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Formations, Managers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Premier League, Team Analysis

A little over a year ago, Thomas Tuchel made his managerial debut for Chelsea, dominating 80% of the possession in a stale 0-0 draw. Sunday's encounter between the two teams saw many parallels, especially in Wolves' defensive appetite and Chelsea's failure to convert. However, it was a vastly different affair, with Wolves putting on a defensive masterclass, completely stunting Chelsea's progress and limiting them to just 1 shot on target. So with that, here is our tactical analysis of how Bruno Lage's team stopped Chelsea in their tracks, and secured another important 0-0 draw.

A quick guide to football gaming

by TMS Staff, posted in Masterclasses

As the Christmas break approaches and you have more time on your hands, you may want to get stuck into some football gaming to keep yourself entertained. Whether you're standing shivering in the stands at halftime on a cold winter's day or sitting on the couch at home and feeling bored, there are many easy ways to keep yourself entertained via the use of football games. Even more, the use of football games can increase tactical understanding and knowledge on the game - for all you football educators and lovers of the beautiful game. But with a myriad of games out there to choose from, it can be difficult to find the very best games for increasing tactical knowledge and keeping yourself entertained. That's why we provide you this quick guide to some of the best footballing games around.

Fred – Manchester United – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Defensive Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League

Since arriving at Manchester United in the summer of 2018, Fred has been under a microscope with each and every passing minute. Every action he takes on a football pitch seems to be scrutinized by those trying to justify his shortcomings, or those, like me, trying to justify why those shortcomings aren't actually so short. In recent weeks, the calls for Fred to be crowned one of United's most important players have only grown, as he performs a more attack-minded role within the team's double-pivot. So today, I present to you a dossier all about Manchester United's Fred, and why Manchester United would be worse without him.

Overlapping Centre-Backs – Ebook

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, Coach Education, Masterclasses

As humans, we have an innate desire to innovate. Whether it’s coming up with new inventions, new businesses or new ways of conducting work, we all strive to create change in the world. There are very few things in the world where this innate need is showcased more than in the world of football. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in specific principles around pressing, playing out from the back and quick transitions. Managers are becoming smarter by the day, constantly looking to innovate, and do something that nobody has ever done before in the beautiful game (relatively speaking of course). One of the most intriguing of all innovations to come to prominence in recent years is the concept of overlapping centre-backs. Essentially, this is an over-arching principle whereby outside-centre-backs in a back-three formation, have not only a defensive role, but a clearly defined attacking one. Teams like Sheffield United and Atalanta achieved widescale success utilizing overlapping centre-backs in the late 2010s, shocking the world with something new and unique that opposition teams simply could not cope with. While the strategy is relatively rare, there is no denying the potential effectiveness of the methodology when conducted right. That’s why in this ebook, I’m going to be breaking down how to coach a team with overlapping centre-backs, and the necessary steps to execute this tactic within your own system and style of play.

Tottenham 0-3 Manchester United – Tactical Analysis – Ole’s New Formation

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Formations, Managers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Premier League, Team Analysis

After an entire week of calls for his head, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put together a United masterclass, with the Red Devils smashing Nuno's Spurs by a scoreline of 3-0. The former United legend exemplified innovation by implementing a 3-4-1-2 formation, getting the best out of the likes of Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes, and completely undoing Tottenham's 4-2-3-1 bra in the process. Here is our tactical analysis of the match.

Developing a growth mindset…

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

In the movie of my life, I always portray myself as some hopeless art loser the moment I thrust myself into an art project. The reality of the situation is that I’m actually totally fine at drawing, painting…even dare I say…colouring…especially when given the right tools or the right level of instruction. In fact, if I had ever stepped out of my hopeless art loser shell and took say…a painting class, I likely would have developed useful knowledge, skills and maybe even new attitudes, that could have transformed my entire art mindset for life. Our abilities are not fixed in time, and can change with practice and help. So it’s important to approach any challenges or perceived inabilities with a growth mindset, and positive self-talk. That’s why in this article I’m going to be giving you tips and tricks to establishing a growth mindset. And cut the scene.

The characteristics of a thriving football team

by TMS Staff, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses

ictorious, gain the title of a champion and achieve the type of success they want to reach. So with that, here are some of the vital characteristics of a thriving football team.