Posts by joshdavies

Football NSW hosted the Girls Football Australia Talent Development Scheme event across Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 February, bringing together 72 talented players from the 2010 and 2011 age groups for two days of high-level training, education and competition. The event culminated in a highly competitive match on Thursday evening, providing players with the opportunity…

Volunteer coaches across NSW can get pre-season ready in just one day with the upcoming Foundation of Football (FoF) courses at Valentine Sports Park. Designed for community and volunteer coaches, the Foundation of Football provides practical, repeatable tools to confidently lead a team into the new season. The course is aimed at coaches of players…

Man marking is a fundamental defensive skill where players are assigned to track specific opponents throughout the match. While modern football often uses mixed defensive systems, understanding how to coach man marking effectively remains essential for developing adaptable defenders. 1. Master the Fundamentals: Positioning and Body Shape Teach your defenders to position themselves between their…

Central Midfielders are the engine room of any team, connecting defense to attack and influencing both phases of play. Here are three practical approaches to help you develop well-rounded central midfielders. 1. Build on Individual Strengths Rather than forcing players into predetermined positions, identify their natural abilities first. Does your midfielder excel at winning the…

Designing fun football training sessions is a vital part of keeping players engaged, motivated, and improving. Whether you’re coaching youth or adult teams, making training enjoyable is key to fostering a positive environment where players look forward to each session. Here are some tips to help you create football training sessions that are both fun…

As a coach, building a strong connection with your players is essential for fostering trust, improving performance, and creating a positive team culture. Whether you’re leading a youth team or a professional squad, your ability to connect with players can significantly impact their motivation, commitment, and overall development. Here’s how you can strengthen your relationship…

Creativity in football is one of the most exciting and impactful attributes a player can possess. Creative players can unlock defences, make unpredictable passes, and produce moments of brilliance that change the course of a match. As a coach, developing creativity in your players is essential for fostering an innovative and dynamic team. Here are…

Developing a winning mentality in footballers goes beyond physical skills—it’s about fostering a mindset that embraces challenges, stays focused, and strives for excellence. A winning mentality can make the difference between a team that competes and a team that consistently achieves success. Here are three key tips to help you instil a winning mentality in…

As a football coach, observing your training sessions is crucial to understanding how well your players are progressing, identifying areas for improvement, and refining your coaching approach. Effective observation allows you to adjust drills, provide timely feedback, and ensure your team is developing the right skills. Here are three key tips on how to observe…

In modern football, full-backs are expected to contribute to both the defensive and attacking phases of play. Developing attacking full-backs is crucial for creating width, delivering crosses, and adding extra attacking support. Here are five key tips to help you coach your players into effective attacking full-backs. Encourage Overlapping Runs One of the primary roles…

As a coach, you’ll inevitably face situations where your team has an odd number of players for a training session. While this can pose some logistical challenges, it also offers an opportunity to get creative and make your sessions even more engaging. Here are a few strategies to deliver fun and effective sessions with an…

Coaching a team with mixed abilities can be challenging, but with the right approach, it provides an opportunity for growth and development for all players. Here are five key tips to help you design effective football sessions for teams with varying skill levels.      1. Use Differentiated Drills Different players have different levels of…