Category: The Mastermind Site Podcast

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! 

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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.

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.

Coaching During a Pandemic

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

COVID-19 has presented unique challenges for coaches across the globe. A year after joining an MLS-affiliated organization at the start of a pandemic, Trevor McGahan gives Rhys Desmond and TheMastermindSite.com an exclusive interview about the challenges he has faced and the experiences he's had after breaking into the coaching scene. Trevor and Rhys also discuss some of the differences between coaching in the United States to Canada, and the exciting future of young Canadian players progressing into the professional game.

Creating a Game Model – with Sam Holmshaw – TMS Podcast

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

You might have heard some buzz recently in the coaching world about something called "game models". But what exactly is a game model and why is it so important to coaches across the globe? Sam Holmshaw joins the podcast to discuss his insight into creating game models, and shares his experiences working in the UK coaching and football scene.

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.

CONCACAF Best XI in 2021 – TMS Podcast

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Podcast, Premier League, The Mastermind Site Podcast

In the history of the World Cup, not a single CONCACAF nation has ever reached the final, let alone won the competition. We are just under five years away from a CONCACAF-led World Cup in 2026, with all of these nations developing long term plans to do their best damage when the time ultimately comes for the competition. So with the present state of the CONCACAF scene, Rhys and Sam create their CONCACAF best eleven's and debate over some of the best players currently playing the game right now from North America. Be sure to tell us who would make your best eleven, and vote for who has the better team at themastermindsite.com.

Liverpool’s Tactical Concerns (2020-21) – TMS Podcast

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Podcast, Premier League, The Mastermind Site Podcast

Much of the dialogue going into this weekend’s Liverpool-Manchester City match centered around the fixture as a potential title decider for Liverpool. The assumption was that if Liverpool lost, their hopes and dreams of winning the title would dash before their eyes. As it turns out, Liverpool didn’t just lose, but were badly beaten and bruised by a terrific Manchester City side. With all of their struggles this season, not just against City, we take an in-depth look at where Liverpool have gone wrong tactically and beyond. Guest: Russell Tho is a Liverpool and Barcelona fan and friend of the show. You can find him on Instagram @russelltho96. Host: Rhys Desmond is the creator and owner of TMS. He is lifelong lover and educator of the beautiful game. You can find him on Twitter @DesmondRhys.