Category: Coaching

A set-piece routine that will guarantee goals

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

Set-pieces are vitally important to the modern game, with a high percentage of goals being scored from set-pieces in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A this season. However, we are a firm believer in giving players creative autonomy and freedom to make choices in football matches. Allowing them to have a voice in attacking set-pieces is the perfect spot to allow them such creative input, as set-pieces can often be so different to everything else the team puts together in their formation, style of play and game model. With that said, we want to help your team score more goals from set-pieces, especially if you're going through our game model examples, only to see that we don't focus all that much on set-pieces. So with that, here is my favourite corner kick routine, which can easily be used at both the senior and professional level.

Game Model Example: 3-1-4-2

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

Struggling to know where to start when it comes to creating your own game model? Well look no further than TheMastermindSite.com. This game model example showcases what Rhyspect FC looks to do in each third of the pitch in all three defensive phases, and all three attacking phases in a 3-1-4-2 formation.

Game Model Example: 4-3-3

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

Struggling to know where to start when it comes to creating your own game model? Well look no further than TheMastermindSite.com, where we're going to be bringing you game model examples in each of the game's most popular formations between now and March 2022. These game model examples are exactly as the name suggests - resources for you to use to then go on and create your own game model. They are not to be taken literal, although ideas can certainly be taken from this resource and implemented within your own team's system and style of play. This game model example showcases what Rhyspect FC looks to do in each third of the pitch in all three defensive phases, and all three attacking phases. The game model also provides a brief look into set-pieces and player characteristics. Buy the 4-3-3 Game Model now.

Sam Holmshaw – Why everything in coaching needs to fit your context

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

There's a beautiful thing in the coaching community, where we all strive to share resources. But this inherently creates a problem. What works in one context, doesn't always work in another. Sam and I are both content creators who always get asked to come up with solutions to various coaching problems and share our thoughts on how coaches can accelerate their teams to new levels. While we love creating content and educating coaches, it must be said that everything we put out always needs to be adapted to the context of the individual coach, team, players and environment. The same could be said for taking things from the professional game, where very few lessons can actually be applied at the youth level.

Interview with Andi Gschaider – Founder of B42

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, German Bundesliga, Home Training, Player Education, Podcast, The Mastermind Site Podcast

Looking for a unique, innovative solution to help your players get through these tough COVID times? Look no further than B42. In this exclusive interview, Rhys Desmond is joined by B42 founder Andi Gschaider to discuss his football training app used by teams and coaches around the world, including pro clubs in Germany like FC Nuremburg. Rhys and Andi discuss how coaches can use the app to inspire their players, how B42 got its name, and the company's desire to make a social impact. Follow the show @mastermindsite on social media, and stay tuned for more exclusive interviews coming this month.

Goalkeepers in the build-up – a new meaning to the ‘Sweeper Keeper’

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Goalkeeper, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League

The role of the goalkeeper continues to evolve in the modern game, with keepers becoming better with their feet by the year. Not only are goalkeepers now a crucial part of their team's build-up structures, but they're coming higher and higher out of their penalty areas to contribute. We recently discussed how Robert Sanchez often joins the Brighton defense as an auxiliary centre-back when the Seagulls play out from the back. But Sanchez is not alone in the art. The likes of Alisson, Ederson and Manuel Neuer all perform a similar function for their teams, adding another number by which their team can shift the ball around and make the opposition sweat. But why exactly is this happening and what are the advantages? Let's explore.

How to beat a low-block like Antonio Conte’s Spurs

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

Antonio Conte's Spurs, as expected, have gotten off to a flying start. Conte's team have gone unbeaten in their eight Premier League matches so far, playing some fantastic, easy on the eye football in the process. The variety in their attacking play has helped the team to 14 goals in 8 matches, with just 5 conceded in the process. In our recent analysis of Conte's team, we posited that the team only had one key dilemma to solve - what to do against low-blocks who want to sit very deep against them. As opposition teams sort Tottenham out, Conte's quest to combat the low-block appears to be growing all the more difficult by the match. They failed to claim victory against 10-man Southampton earlier in the week, and yesterday had to wait until stoppage time for Davinson Sanchez's winner. So with that, we take a quick look at how teams like Antonio Conte's can disrupt a low-block and generate scoring chances, taking examples from Spurs' own 1-0 victory against Watford at the weekend.

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.