🫶 Messi on coaching kids

Hey everyone,

Welcome to the very first newsletter. Yes, there’s a newsletter and a podcast.

If you‘re going to have a mid-life crisis, may as well do it properly!

The goal with this is simple: I’m hoovering up a lot of content and advice as I get deeper into this world and want to bring people along with me. (I need all the help I can get.)

So this is where I’ll be sharing a few things from the internet that are making a positive impact on my journey as a coach, parent and human.

• Shouldn’t feel like work to read

• Interesting or funny

• Maybe even useful

Simple really. Hope you enjoy.

 🎙️ IOKF Episode 1 with My Personal Fitness Coach, Saul Isaksson-Hurst

It’s been cooking for a while and now it’s finally live…

The very first episode of the podcast is out and it’s surreal seeing it on Spotify. Check it out.

Insane to see we have listeners all over the world already 🤯 

🇺🇸 US
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone

Episode #001’s guest is Saul Isaksson-Hurst - aka My Personal Football Coach.

He’s someone you should definitely follow on social. (Clip from him below)

In the 45 minute chat we had I learnt so much.

He’s an innovative coach and has had experience working with elite players like Jamal Musiala.

You’ll have to listen to the pod, but here’s a few of the insights that went in my notebook:

1. Coaching and Positivity: Saul emphasises the importance of creating a positive environment for young players. The way we handle their mistakes can significantly impact their confidence and long-term development. Psychology and mindset in coaching, are so so important - and nurturing confidence is a fundamental part of the process.

2. Parents' Role: This part struck a chord for me. Saul's perspective on parents’ involvement was super helpful and he highlights the delicate balance between encouraging your kids and letting them enjoy the game, rather than focusing solely on winning. (However I love to win, and kids do too. We’ll save this topic for another one!)

3. Dynamic Ball Mastery: Saul shares insights from his extensive experience working with elite players at top academies like Tottenham and Chelsea. He talks about the value of dynamic ball mastery and how refining these skills can elevate a player’s game. Time on the ball is massive.

4. Session Design: Lastly, the episode touches on the importance of session design in coaching. A well-structured session can make training effective and enjoyable for young players, maximising their development in a limited time. This includes high-paced activities, plenty of ball engagement, and ensuring the sessions cater to the needs of the kids.

Saul’s been there and done it.

Very grateful to have him on and would love your questions and feedback for future episodes.

OK. Self promotion over.

Kids football is a big conversation, full of opinion and advice of varying quality.

I’ll dropping you some nuggets that catch my eye every week. Just the good stuff…

🐐 The GOAT talks about kids’ football coaching

Messi shares his view on the trend of instructing young players to play with two touches…

potentially at the expense of losing their spontaneity and natural style of play.

Here’s the translation:

Absolutely love to hear it. We should all take note.

🇪🇸 Learn Drills 🤝 Learn Spanish

A must follow account for great drills and the chance to increase your Spanish vocab.

Vamos!

🫶 The Kobbie Mainoo Origin Story

This one’s from the Euros - remember them?

Lots of stories surface about players’ start in football during international tournaments.

It’s a reminder that every international player and every pro starts in a kids’ team.

As a Dad I’m always curious about how the parents played it…

Spoiler alert: Kobbie’s played a blinder.

Inspiring to read.

🤩 The Grassroots Wembley

Few compare to Team Grassroots when it comes to uplifting the game and celebrating positivity in football.

Would love to play on this pitch. But we all know they’re rare!

🏆️ End of Season Awards are Special

This geezer on TikTok talks a lot of sense 😁 

@myfootballcoach1

Check out this 1v1 practice….with 2v1 transition. Back to pressure 1v1 is one of the hardest to crack in the game… if you can receive the... See more

That’s your lot for now. More to come next week!

Thanks for reading 🙏