Category: Coaching

How to coach pressing & the five most common pressing triggers

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Subscriber Exclusives

Pressing was all the rage from the late 2010's to the early 2020's. Some of the most successful teams across that period played a "high-pressing" game, including Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. But today, press and possess styles of play have started to die out. Brighton have been the best example of a team deploying a press and possess system in the Premier League this season. But they are one of only a few. For those that might be working in coaching environments or just studying how a team like Brighton become so successful at such an intense approach, here are some of the most important details.

Game of Numbers #39 – Erling Haaland’s backstep before goals

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker

Manchester City have scored 15 goals in the Premier League's opening 8 matches. Erling Haaland has scored 11 of them. And among many of those goals, a common trend has emerged. I call it - the backstep!

How to Become a Football Coach: FA Coaching Certificates & University Pathways

by TMS Staff, posted in Coaching

Discover how to become a football coach in the UK, from beginner to the pro level. Explore FA coaching certifications, university programs, and how to start—even with no experience.

Best Formations for 9v9 – Ebook

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Most Recent, Subscriber Exclusives

9v9 is one of the most exciting stages in the development of young players and can often be the first time they are truly able to understand positioning, formations and how to play to the strengths of their teammates. This Ebook gives coaches an opportunity to learn all the in's and out's of coaching 9v9, including tactics, formations, and game management.

Pep Guardiola, Copy-Cats & Why Team Tactics Must Work for Your Players

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Premier League

The weirdest of the weird proclaim modern football to be boring, because every team endeavours to play the same way. High-possession, high-pressing, building out from the back, goalkeepers involved in the build-up, inverted this, inverted that, and some degree of positional rotation. The man credited for starting or popularizing many of these modernizations is Pep … Continue reading Pep Guardiola, Copy-Cats & Why Team Tactics Must Work for Your Players

Coaching Newsletter #9: Why dodgeball is the best game for all ages

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Subscriber Exclusives

One of my favourite things to do as a program facilitator? Create activities based on the interests and desires of our kids. Typically, our kids go through phases. For the first half of the year, it was all about the playground. Working to make everyday different, I'd often create games and activities that centered around … Continue reading Coaching Newsletter #9: Why dodgeball is the best game for all ages

Coaching Newsletter #8 – Being the best is overrated

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Subscriber Exclusives

Let me tell you a secret. I’ve worked with professional athletes across a few different sports now. (That's not the secret). There’s something that’s surprised me, fascinated me, and inspired me all at the same time. One singular thing. One singular thing that they all share in common. Every single one of them. They all … Continue reading Coaching Newsletter #8 – Being the best is overrated

Coaching Newsletter #7 – The case for conserving energy – a lesson from Lionel Messi

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coaching, Subscriber Exclusives

Next time you get the urge to act without thinking, and you have time to think things through, stay patient. Take in as much information as you can. Walk. Observe. Then make every moment count once you have all the information. Save your energy for what is truly important. You'll enjoy a longer-lasting career that way, and live a more meaningful life.