Category: Podcast

Data-Driven Decision Making & Player Roles – Podcast Episode with Unlocked Football

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Education, Podcast, Recruitment & Scouting

During the pandemic, I probably watched close to twenty football matches a week. I got quite good at watching matches (i.e. analyzing football) but I didn't feel as though I was living the most well balanced life. It's cool to watch football for entertainment, but I no longer find it particularly possible. Even if I enjoy watching my favourite teams play, I'm always thinking about the site and how I can use my learnings from any given match to create content. For my line of work, I then find it imperative that I understand my purpose for watching football.

How I coached an unbeaten team

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Podcast, The Mastermind Site Podcast

In the summer of 2021, I took a youth team to an unbeaten campaign, in their first ever season playing together. While winning is never the most important part of youth soccer, I share some of the key tips and tricks that allowed me to achieve success with my team and instill a positive culture where each and every player wanted to return. In the first half of the episode, I also discuss the exciting opportunities coming up on TheMastermindSite.com. Follow the show and my body of work @mastermindsite and @desmondrhys! 

How coaches can develop their tactical and analytical understanding of the game

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Podcast, The Mastermind Site Podcast

One of the most common questions thrown my way is the typical - "How do you know what you know?" or "How did you develop your tactical craft?". Well, I finally have an answer for you.

Finding the balance between being fun and assertive in coaching (+ more Q&A)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Podcast, Premier League, The Mastermind Site Podcast

In this special edition Spin The Ball Q&A, Rhys Desmond talks about how to find the balance between being fun and assertive in coaching, how to be more enthusiastic for your players, and gives his thoughts on the CONCACAF Champions League and Man City vs. Tottenham this weekend. Be sure to check out @mastermindsite on social media and everything we have going on at themastermindsite.com to never miss an update. 

Jose Mourinho – AS Roma – Tactical Analysis – with Edward Stratmann

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Podcast, Serie A, Team Analysis, The Mastermind Site Podcast, World Football

AS Roma and Paulo Fonseca parted ways with the Italian giants finishing just seventh in Serie A, but a more positive semi-final run in the Europa League and some encouraging attack-minded, tactically intriguing football. Legend of the game Jose Mourinho was the man to come in and replace Fonseca, and the Portuguese icon got off to a flying start in his Roma career, winning six from the first seven. But since then, it's been typical Mourinho, with the club now potentially spiraling back into their old ways. This week I talk to Roma expert Edward Stratmann on what needs to happen if Mourinho is to change the club's fortunes around, and the tactics Mourinho has displayed since taking over from Fonseca. Be sure to follow the show @mastermindsite, and give Edward a shout using the links below. 

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.