Evening, Steve. Hope you're well. Thanks for joining us again. >> Hi there, Steve. >> Evening Nikki. Good to have you with us. Hi Nikki. >> We'll just wait for a few more to join us everyone and then we'll get started. Hi Py. Hi Paul. Okay, I think we're going to get a start on Nick. Um, we got 16 coaches on online which is great. So, I'm Stuart, the founder of Football DNA. Um, thank you for joining us tonight or morning wherever you are in the world and we're going to look at some advice and tips on match day coaching. Um, if you've attended the last two, it will kind of follow a similar layout. Um Nick Green will present a presentation which will be interactive. Any questions drop them in the chat and Nick will get to them um either at the time or we'll we'll catch up at the end. So over to you Nick. >> Thanks Chu. Um good evening or good morning like like Stu said wherever you are. Thanks for that Stu. Um we're going to we're going to talk um a little bit about match day coaching. Um, and we're going to look at um what what really matters in terms of match day coaching. So, we're going to look at some behaviors and get some clarity uh for our players and and us as coaches um and and and look at obviously creating those learning moments for for for both parties really. >> It's not just about the tactics. It's sometimes it's about ensuring that everybody sort of in that environment is growing and learning. Um and that is players and coaches. So, um hopefully we we we pick the bones out of some of that some of that um those bits of detail um this evening or in this presentation. And like Stewie said, if if you do have any questions, flick them in the chat and we'll we'll try and get across as many of those as we can as we go along. Um just a little bit about myself and my journey. Um so I I started coaching about 25 years ago, age 16. Um before that, I obviously played the game. Um it was around Lead United and Bradford and and and then a um a football league club called called Scarra. Pretty much quickly got on to um 161 17 start my my coaching journey and worked a lot in the community. Um worked in holiday clinics and and and suches and and football in the community and then worked my way to the sort of professional phase um at various professional football clubs. Um, spent a lot of time at Harleyool United in the Northeast and then over at Lincoln City. Um, and then immigrated to Australia. Been working working in Australia now for the last seven years, various roles within Australia. Um, more recently run my own coaching business over here as well. Um, had a little stint in the A League. Um, so I've got quite a vast array of experience working from community, five, six year olds all the way to to senior professionals. So, um, won't have all the answers. nobody has, but we'll uh we'll we'll try and help and guide along that that journey today. So, um just a little bit a little bit about the um the match day coaching. So, sometimes rather than um focusing on tactics, which I think sometimes we all sort of try to do, um we're going to dive into a little bit about the behaviors and the clarity of the of the why for the players. Um because these elements do create valuable learning moments, not just for the players, but for us as coaches, too. And if you think about it, when your team is playing, um, who's truly learning? Is it is it you as a coach gaining insights or is it the players? And this this perspective sort of shift helps us foster a little more dynamic um and responsive environment. So we we do want to we do want to create those learning moments for the players and and quite often um you know that's that could be through mistakes um and guidance and and our support that we're giving to our players as well. So, we need to make sure that we're observing and we're understanding and then we are responding to sort of moments within the games um before the games in the leadup to games, during the games and and and after the games as well where feedback is is is really important for our players and and again for us as coaches and this is where we can create those crucial learning moments and that makes us all better. Essentially, >> the best coaches, they don't always uh they don't react to the game, they respond with clarity and purpose. So, so quite often than not, there's a there's a plan in terms of in terms of that process. Um it's all about being intentional with our actions and again in the leadup to games during the games and and after the games as well. Um, and I think if we do that, we've got a little bit more clarity for for not only ourselves as coaches, but but the players that we're working with. And I think clarity is is probably that key word um within this within this workshop this this evening. Um, and it's about creating that pathway for the learning, not just about the practice in the heat of the game, but like I say, your players need clarity on on on what the expectations are around that. Let's talk about about pressure and sometimes that pressure again not only for us as coaches but for our players. Um it can be intense and we have to manage that effectively. Um and I think being staying calm and staying composed and think about when you're delivering your sessions to your players that that composure that calmness and and essentially that that patience uh will pay dividends in in in the longer run with your players. So, can we be composed and can we sort of lead by example? Um, quite often than not, um, it's, you know, it's it's on game day, not only the coach, but you have parents on the sidelines and and there's a little bit more emotion within that game. Um, you know, we need to make sure that we're we're we're we're controlled and we're composed and we're calm and we're um radiating the the right example for our players and take away that emotion for it. We've got to channel that emotion positively for our players and be that driving force rather than than a distraction because there's an awful lot of distraction around games for certainly for younger players um but all the way through really. So control and communication are crucial on match day and it's and it's um and it's key to maintain that clear communication with your team and ensure that everybody's on the same page and again like I say in the leadup to games if we if we're working with our players effectively in the leadup to games um it will be prevalent on a match day as well. So if we can remember these challenges and and um for our players we can support each other within that within that process really. So just have a little think about um match day for your players and um think about any common sort of match day challenges that you you tend to have um in the environments that you're currently working with. You do you find that there's a lot of pressure um maybe it's emotion or like I say sometimes um you find it difficult to control yourself or or your players or or is it the parents? um think about how you communicate with the players and um you know and how the parents on the sideline are communicating and behaving. What sort of challenges do you face as coaches um on those match days? If you just want to stick anything in the chat um so thanks Steve. So Steve's got keeping calm and levelheaded. I think we'll I think a lot of us probably agree on that. Um you know like I say it's game day. you know, a lot of people get um sort of distracted by the result um and and the outcome of a game rather than rather than the process in terms of what the learning opportunities are for our players. So, it's really important that we're calm and I think that can then protrude the the calmer to our players and and help them maintain a real good level of control. Thanks for that, Ben. So, Ben's got keeping players positive um when the game's not going our way 100%, you know. Um and again that that's that's the result take taking over. Um and we need to make sure that we're controlling that and essentially really the look let's be fair the results don't don't really matter. I think it's about you know the have our players got the right attitude. If we're managing our players in terms of have they got the right attitude are they applying themselves uh in the correct way um and giving their efforts then regardless of the result I think it's really important that we are positive around that as well. uh multiple substitutions. Yeah. Challenging the Yeah. making sure that everybody's getting appropriate game time, that that can be a challenge. And and if you've got someone there supporting you, I think sometimes it that might be a little task that you might want to pass on as well. Making sure that we we're rotating those players around in terms of correct minutes regardless of the result. And that there shows that we've got a plan for the game and we're not just reacting to moments in the game or results in the game as well. So Daniel's got their focus and communication start starting matches with with the right intentions. Yeah. Again Daniel that that that can be the leadup to the game. So even before uh the week leading up to the game um what are the objectives of the game for our team and and our players and and again a lot of that can be game management in terms of have have our players are playing the right attitude and the right um application to the game. Uh Nikki's got I'm finding it difficult to transition from player goalkeeper to coach. U found myself talking um like like you did as a goalkeeper. Yeah. Okay. And and sometimes Nikki that that can be a good thing you know the the encouragement um make sure you are specific with what you are communicating. So if it is if if it's general praise that you're giving out be specific with that. Um but again like I said there if if you if you've got a plan for the game um I don't know what that might be. Let's say you you know you know you might you might be wanting to to press the opposition and and you're encouraging those moments to to press. Um I think there's a time to communicate and then there's there's maybe a time to just stand back and and sort of be quite an and observe your players as well. And I think sometimes we want to drive them. Um and I can be a sucker for that myself. Sometimes if we just stand back and go okay well are they can they be the drivers for themselves as well? because that can be a real good learning opportunity and learning moment um for for your players. So, observation can be a really good one. Keeping the players engaged when they're on the bench and making sure they they're getting uh even game time. Yeah. Okay. You know, there might be some some things around that. I'm not not saying it's the right or wrong way, but there could be a little mini game going on behind you with with with the subs or, you know, a little 2v2 game uh just for four or five minutes before you're rotating players around. Or you might set these players on on the on the sidelines little tasks as well. So they might they might be observing one of their teammates for example and then and and then then give peer-to-peer review um in the interval. So, you know, it might be that little Johnny is watching Sarah play and um and then in the interval he gives Sarah some little feedback on on her performance and and that can be a really good way of um playerto-player communication and and and and obviously them recognizing it and giving them a focus as well when they're on the benches. So, yeah, there's some some things around that, but yeah, some some really good things. Um Paul's got in here. It's a good one. Um we have a couple of ADHD autistic boys who get very emotional either one in um one in aggressive way and another in upset way. Okay. So um I've experienced that Paul as well. Um what one of my boys struggles around that side of it and he and he was playing and what I used to do with him is um or what I do with him is give him little tasks before the game and um he he struggles to sometimes stay focused for example. So I um I set him a challenge on, you know, can he can he basically can he get a touch of the ball 15 or 20 times in in in each half of the game and and he stays focused on that and now he's got he's got one task to think about and and and that's his focus and and I think sometimes around that, you know, distraction is um it is quite easily to get distracted because there's a lot going on. There's a lot of players going on. There's people on the sidelines. There's lots of decisions to be made. So if you can give them a clear task or a clear objective, sometimes I find that that that can work quite well um you know and it's something to actually count as well um which sometimes um the the players really like um around that. Okay, brilliant. Some really good stuff there. We'll we'll flick on to the next slide. Um so we'll look at um look look at match day philosophy. So I mentioned about like the leadup to the game. I think it's really important and and that can give good clarity on on what our focus might be. Um so you know if we understand what that that match day looks like um from our perspective I think we can we can give clarity to players around that. So our role as coach is really um transition throughout throughout match day and you know we do we are teachers through the week. Uh but on match day we become sort of facilitators and and analysts really um and and our duty on a match day is to observe and guide and support and assess rather than sort of instruct. I think if we sort of try and um package that up and understand that it will help us a little bit on match day. So if if we understand that our our our duty on a match day is more to observe and and and and guide and support uh that can shift um and help our players in the best way sort of possible really. Um match day coaching for us as as coaches should sort of embody that philosophy and it and it really is about empowering the players and allowing the game to be their stage and their opportunity to to put things into practice and actually to to go and make mistakes. um like we would sort of try and create that environment in the in the training. Um we have to understand that that's the environment we're trying to create on a match day. Um and I think it's really important that we we we do that. If we just flick on there, uh Stu, so um again the the some of the key questions for us as coaches around that match day philosophy, um reflect on on yourselves really in terms of who who is who is the match really for? Is it for us as coaches or is it truly centered on our players? Um, and consider how your players how you want your players to feel uh during and after the match. Do you aim for them to feel sort of empowered and supported and confident? And this is crucial because they're emotional mental stage can sometimes significantly impact their performance. um you know sometimes in the players in their little bubble in their little world you know there's a lot of pressure that they put on themselves as well. So it's really important that we um we create that that that really supportive environment on a match day for them rather than our emotions and our um uh and our sort of uh our way of being around them. Um we we we we want less stress. We want to minimalize that and we do really want to support them and and guide them through that match day process. Um and some of these these questions here sort of shape shape our match day philosophy that does it really does prioritize the players experience and development over mere outcomes. I mean you know let's not focus about the result. Don't worry about the result. I mean a lot a lot of the time one of the first things people say oh how did you go and and and the first thing that's mentioned is the result and and really it's um it shouldn't be about that. Look you know we performed really well. we we we we set out what we wanted to try and do and you know forget the result for a moment. Um it is about the attitude and the application and the objectives that we've got as a team and as individuals. So really think about who that match is for and how we want our players to feel during that process as well and that will really help them grow. So match day like I said match day really is the the the test for um for your players. So if we if we see it as match day is the test for the players and it's not the coach's performance. I think if we can do that that really will embed and embody the framework in terms of how we can help our players grow. Um and that shifting perspective really does emphasize the importance of focusing on the players and the players experiences and opportunities that they're getting and their development as well. And and again I've mentioned it already but our role really is to support them and create that environment. If you think about what type of environment you want to try and create for your players, um we want to try and create that environment where where they can thrive and express their skills and have that freedom. Um we don't want them to be stressed and and us as coaches as well, we don't want to be stressed. We don't want to be going into games stressed and worried about a result and you know affecting affecting our our weekends and and whatnot. We want to we want to really reflect and think, you know, our players have had that opportunity to to learn and and sometimes that learning comes through tough moments. Well, well, it does. I think any any any learning that really goes on, it comes through mistakes. It comes through reflection. Um, and it comes through tough times. And and and for me personally, I you know, young players, I want to put them I want to I want to stress them in terms of the the the opportunities that they're getting. I don't want to stress them in terms of the environment I'm trying to create. Uh but we want to help them grow as much as we can. Um and again that will really empower them and and create that supportive space for our players. So some of the phases of of of match day we try and just break it down. I've tried to keep it quite simple, but obviously you you know you've got you've got the pre-match um sort sort of phase and how we sort of prepare our players and again really without overwhelming them and and and the key here is to sort of deliver clear and consistent messages and that can be through the week um well it should be through the week um if you have a little focus on look you know we forget who we're playing and what not at these young ages we want to um let's say we are working on you know on pressing and and an opportunity to regain the ball as quickly as we can. Then that that would be something that we'd worked on through the week and then our messages there are being clear and consistent. Um and and then we're just focusing on one or two key reminders for the match day, you know, um and the players can really relate to that. So we're not throwing new information at our players on a match day. It's basically confirmation of what we've been working on through the week. can we now go and have a go at it and can we try and execute that in the game and recognize those moments and we really want to make sure that we're not bombarding our our players with with with too much information. I've I've seen it before where there's there's writing all over the walls and and and you know there's there's a team talk that goes on 15 20 minutes now. Keep it really clear, keep it keep it consistent. Um give real clarity uh because it'll just go in one ear and out the other if we don't. So, one or two key reminders. It might be that you've got an individual that needs needs an objective in the game like I said with earlier on with with someone might need focus on, you know, it might be a little bit more effort we want out of them. So, if we can encourage them to, you know, go and get 15 20 touches of the ball. They're going to run around a little bit more. Obviously, they're not going to do it all all the time at the right time, but they're going to get the opportunity to put that effort in first and foremost, and then it it builds builds a platform on something we can work to in terms of when and where. Um, so you know, team team messages and and maybe that odd individual message as well can can be really useful. And again, like I said, we want to want to use routines to reduce anxiety. So establish establishing sort of clear uh and consistent sort of warm-up routines can be quite good rather than, you know, again, not only throwing new messages out, but if we're doing something different before a game all the time, you know, it can throw players off guard a little bit. So, let's have clear clear routine. Certainly at young ages when they you know when they're getting a feel for the game and and and whatnot. Um can can we just be pretty clear on how we how we arrive for the game, how long we want before the game, you know, what we do in in in terms of a warm-up in preparation for the game, you know, our team talk. Can we can we be can we be consistent? Maybe two minutes, that's it. And then, you know, relay those clear messages and and then we're out really. Um, and let's let's just reinforce the roles for the players and not sort re rewrite the uh the plans. Uh, and again I've put in there example um pre pre-matched talk structure, remind reassure and refocus. If we can think about those three things um again we're giving clarity and and and and clear consistent messages for uh for our players stadium and England >> couple of um Is that what I'm playing? St. >> I can play it. Just describe what it is first and then I'll >> Yeah. So, I've just got got a couple of videos in here. I just thought I'd just break it up quite nicely. So, we just got a couple of examples of um match day sort of interaction with players. So, this is a this is one that that um has used um a poor poor practice in terms of halfime. So this is one from the Mike Basset film. >> Half time in Laombane Stadium and England trail Mexico by two goals to nil. >> HAVE YOU GOT THE SHOUT BASTARD? THEY SHOULDN'T BE SHOUTING AT ME. THEY SHOULD BE SHOUTING AT YOU AND YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE IT'S HALF TIME AND WE'RE TWO N DOWN TO MEXICANS. WRONG WITH HER. GET YOUR FINGERS OUT. WHERE'S YOUR BOTTLE GUN? I CAN'T PAY ATTENTION WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU. IF YOU LOOK ON A WAY TO SHAKE OFF THERE THOUSANDS OF KIDS OUT THERE WHO DIE PUT THAT ON BACK ON THE FIELD DO HOME ON YOU GOT that >> England lose 4-0. >> So um again I hope none of you are like that with your players. Um but again there's no there's no clarity. Um there's no confirmation. There's no no real learning going on with that. Um it's probably clear to see. Um it's just just a just a rant really. Um and again half the time it's going to go in one ear and out the other. So again that's really an emotional fueled um way to communicate with your players and we want to try and avoid those situations and we want to try and give clarity. So whether you're going in at Halime and you are losing 5-nil, what are the learning moments and and how can we go back and reassure um and reaffirm with the players and and and give a good response in terms of clarity on that as well. Um so that's you know that's an example of of halftime poor practice. Um this next this next clip in here we're going to show um just gives a real good good feel about how maybe to um to deal and and speak with your players um in ter in terms of best practice. So, if we can flick that next one on there, Stu, >> the final part of the session now, guys, is about bringing some of this into games, which is where courage comes in. Do you know how many kids I coach where they're so good in in practice and so good in training, and it gets to a Sunday, they never dribble and they never do a skill, and they never take a shot, and they're always a bit scared to try something if you go wrong because on a Sunday, your teammates might get on your back and go, "Oh, James, why'd you shoot when you pass? Oh, thank you. Where'd you go?" But here, is that going to happen? No. >> Absolutely not. If one of my coaches did that, it'd be sad. No way. We don't do that as kids. We want you guys to be really brave and think, you know what, if I have a go and something goes wrong, ALL I'M GOING TO GET IS A PAT ON THE BACK AND A good try and a well done and keep going. And not just from the coaches, but from your teammates, right? So, don't be scared of failure here because what we need to do here now is build a bit of confidence and a bit of courage in doing this stuff. And then hopefully that will translate on a Sunday where you'll be able to do it in games. But it all starts here. You got it? There's been a couple of times in that drill where I saw Adam and I saw Mo and I saw Safer where you got in a situation and your brain said, "I don't know if I'm going to get past him." So, what did you do? You stopped. You slowed down. You turned. You tried to protect the ball tonight. If you get IN THAT SITUATION, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M going to get past him. Guess what the answer is? Have a go. Knock it past him. See what you're capable of. YOU THINK MBAPPE GOT FASTER BY SLAMMING THE BRAKES ON? Definitely not. YOU THINK MESSI GOT BETTER AT DRIBBLING by being scared of dribbling? Definitely not. So, let's be really brave, really bold. I get a one v one against James. He might be faster. I'm gonna have a go anyway. He might be more skillful. I'll see if I get past him. He might be bigger than me. He literally is. But I'm still going to have a go because you only find out where your limits are when you push them. You see what I mean? We ready to go to the match. Who's gonna do it? >> Yeah. Perfect. So um again you think about what we've already spoken about um in this workshop. You think about empowering your players um giving them the belief and the confidence to go and have a go. The environment that you're trying to create is everything. Um we spoke about that on an earlier workshop. Um if you can do that with your players, he's not clearly not bothered about the result. Um it's more about how much the players are going to learn and have a go and and and build that belief. and if you don't have a go, you're never going to build your confidence. So, he's trying to create that that correct environment for the players. So, it's a real good way of communicating with your players to be able to um to get the best out of them and help them grow and and again empower them as well. Um, another another phase of match day really I've got down here is is is during the match. Um, so it's really important that um we we we sort of again manage our emotions. We observe that learning and what what is taking place on the field and and it and it should be um if you think about it as the the end goal from from the week's learning and the weeks the week's training. We want to we want to observe are the players trying to apply what we've been working on and and if we think about that we have clarity again as coaches and and we can then influence them really effectively. So again like I said earlier it really is about staying composed. We our players will mirror our energy. If we're bouncy on the sideline and we're we're into them and we're we're really tense and we're really stressed and we're really vocal, the players are going to mirror that behavior and they're going to feel the stress. They're going to feel them emotion. So, can we be calm? Can we be composed? Can we have clarity on what we want to try and get out of today's game? And again, keeping it really simple. How we communicate with them. Can we ask positive questions at the right time? Can we can we try and you know what did you see there? Um um that sort of thing and and and and and help them on on the on their journey in terms of what they're learning rather than be really command. Um I mean command's okay if we're working with seniors and and it is a results driven business but we're looking to um to to try and educate our players through that through that process and observe the patterns and not the moment. So, you know, if little little Jimmy or or Sarah has had a go at trying to beat a player and um and and and failed and and then had another go and failed. Okay. Well, you know, I love the fact that you're having a go at that, but what could we do differently next time? Well, it might be that the space was on the other side or, you know, have a go at that then and and and try and coach those answers out on them and and and let them let them find that out for themselves. But we just want to guide them on that process and and again, focus on the behaviors. Have they got the right attitude? Have they got the right application? and are they are they managing those uh those moments and and and around that environment in the right way? I think that's really important for for us as coaches and and again it makes our job easier if we're doing those those things um on on a on a simple effect. So some of some of the key tools on on on match day um if you just want to flick that on St. we've got um you know like I said freeze fame questions Q&A what what did you see there? Um, if you've got an assistant, you know, you might have someone helping you on a on a match day. So, they might they might just observe certain things in the game. They might just look at um, you know, what you, let's say you've been working on, you know, that high press or whatever it might be. Then your assistant might be looking at some of the in possession stuff and just keeping it simple in there and and and just giving one or two little key little bits to one or two of the players. But, you know, we don't want to over complicate things. Um and someone mentioned earlier about the substitution, use moments as learning opportunities. So um if we're making a sub or the opposition are that might be an opportunity for us to throw a throw um a question at one of our players or or help guide them or um reassure them or reaffirm in terms of what we're trying to learn rather than when the game's going on and they're close to the ball and we're trying to throw a question at them and their their head's all scatty but they're trying to concentrate on the game. Pick and choose those moments where you are communicating with your players. um otherwise they are going to be distractions as well. Um and think about that if your voice is louder than your players um sort of decisions. You know, you're sort of coaching for yourself really not letting your players have a go. Um Stu's got in here. Is there a is there a fine line between vocal encouragement on the touch line to talking too much? Um yeah, and and look, I don't think there's any real right right or wrong. I think we just need to probably be consciously aware of that. I think if we're um I like to give out a lot of a lot of encouragement and and praise and and I would sort of say that to to to the parents on the sidelines as well. I think that's all I would want them to do. You know, you know, the well dones and excellent and and whatnot. Um that'll be it for me. No, no instruction, no no um no trying to influence decision- making from from the parents and and again us as coaches as well trying to keep it simple. So, uh, but but what I would say is try and be specific with your vocal encouragement and your praise. Um, so they understand and have clarity on what they actually what they did do well because, you know, they'll try and replicate that again. And and if little Jimmy's done something well and you give specific praise on um the fact that they had a go at trying to beat a player, then, you know, Jimmy or Sarah hears that and they want to have a go at that as well. And because everybody loves the the bit of praise, so be specific with your praise and and the vocal encouragement as well. Um and and again that that that there can be the part of the makeup of the environment that you are trying to create as well. So if it's positive I I wouldn't say that there's too much of an issue. Just pick and choose those moments um around that. Um Steve's got in here. What would you say is an ideal time to meet before an under 14 game? Bearing in mind the time for the warm-up and team talks. Look, there's no right or wrong with that. I think you don't think you really want players sat around. It depends um on what you have available in terms of warm up and and changing areas and whatnot, but I would say maybe 45 minutes before the game's pretty reasonable. You don't want to be there too early. You don't want to be there too late either where you're rushing around. You want the players to have a you know get their touches in before the game and obviously you give those um um um reaffir reaffirm what you've been working on through the week, your team talks and whatnot. So, um I'd say 45 minutes is is is more than more than appropriate for a for a game day. Um another phase of the game day is your post match. I think this is really um really really important and sometimes it can get overlooked a little bit. you know, you've played the game, you've had a drink, um you know, whether you've been affected by the result or what not, and then everybody goes and gets in the car. And I think there's always reflection going on um with players, parents, they're in the car on the way home. And um and I think one advice I give to um you as coaches again trying to create that environment is pulling your pulling your parents in and sort of speaking to your parents about this sort of stuff. And if you are going to speak to the players, for example, after the game, can you keep it really simple? you know what um what went well today um you know um what uh what didn't go well and what would you do differently next time. If you just keep it simple like that you're asking the players then to self-reflect and I think it's really important that they do that rather than getting an ear bashing or um just a just a loaded rant after the game. I think it's really important again it's clarity and the players then can can do that. It might be where you let the players peer-to-peer um um really simply get them get them after the game and you pair them up. You go just, you know, just take 30 seconds or a minute. Um one of you just speak to your to your mate and tell them what they did well today and uh tell them what they maybe could have done better and and whatnot and then and then flip it. So they're actually peer-to-peer uh giving feedback for the players. And I think again for us as coaches, it makes our life easy. We might then ask the players to share one or two of those um those reflection those reflective moments and I think it can really help with the environment that you are trying to create when you when you're doing that because that's where we learn it's really important that we understand what we have done. So that reflection is is important and again it doesn't always have to come from the coach as well and and again reinforce the process. So the stuff that you have been working on, what what was good about it? What what did work well? You know, I thought we pressed really well today. Um, one thing we could have maybe done a bit better is pick and choose those moments. There was times that we went and we we got picked off a little bit and we just need to understand that um as the ball's traveling, we want to do it, but if we can't go and do that, then we might just have to sit off and stay compact. That might be a that might be a an opportunity to to to reflect for you as a coach as well. Yeah, Steve's got there. I never communicate with the player while in possessions. Don't want to over complicate the decisions. Yeah, I love that, Steve. So, it's just picking and choosing those moments. That's that's really good. We want to try and minimalize those distractions as well. Um, sort of coach behaviors and reflection. I know we we we sort of we've touched on some of this sort of stuff. Um, but build your self-awareness is what I would say. So, you know, yes, the environment, but how do we want to be as coaches? Um, so reflect on ourselves. Uh, so I think about the game that's gone on maybe this weekend or or the more game that you've played. How did you behave under under pressure and when I say under pressure a lot of it is down to the results and it can be ego driven for from us as coaches. So let's push that to the side and think about our players for a moment and and understand that um you know take that result away because we are sometimes um driven by that that result and we want we want to remove that that emotion. So, um, was I in control on the sidelines? Did I give clarity to my players? Or did I just go on a rant? Did I give um, you know, lots of information? Um, you know, we as humans are not great with lots and lots of information. Um, I'm not great. If I've got a shopping list of 50 items, we've got three things, I'll go and get them. But let's keep things simple for our players. Um, and did I help help my players solve the problems or or did I tell them the answers? So be really really conscious of how we how we ask the questions with the players. We don't want to give them the answer, but we want to try and get them to the answer or or or get them to feed back what what what what their um what they think the answer is. So um you know did we give the players you know an environment where they got composure as a communication with clarity um and again our observation as well and and and let the players have that empowerment and that um that opportunity to learn and and understand that they are going to make mistakes and we are going to lose games and and you know if it's build up play that we have been working on. We want to build that confidence and courage uh and we've done it through the week. there's no point in getting to the game and just smashing the ball because we we're scared of trying to have a go at at building play and understand that look, it's going to cost us gold if we're going to learn through that process. Certainly at young ages, it's going to cost us, but um it's really important that we we understand that that as coaches as well and and and our expectations are um um sort of diluted down. um some some practical scenarios and uh for us as coaches. So um you know think about yourself, think about think about the last few games that you've sort of played and and and um has anybody got anything that they want to sort of share and and might be um your your team did concede early or um and how you sort of reacted to that and um and again, you know, if we're reflecting on that, that's a learning opportunity for us as coaches and not just our players. Um, what about if one of our player players argue with the referee? And and and what would our role be as coaches around that? And what about if we're getting in at halfime and we're losing and and sort of what messages do we give? We hopefully hopefully we're not giving the Mike Basset message um that you that you've seen previously, but you know, think about some of these and and you might have some others that you'd like to share, but um if anybody'd like to share um a scenario for us that you you know, you've you've been a part of and that would be great. If if anybody's got anything, if you just want to stick it in the chat, I'll I'll give you 15 20 seconds or so. if anybody has got anything if you want to stick it in there we can come back to it anyway but we'll we'll flick on to that that next little bit. Um so again around those practical scenarios you know um got three three sort of key principles here. So for us as coaches to understand that match day is a reflection and it's not a rehearsal. Um our coach behavior does set the tone for the learning. So, it's really important that we're consciously aware around that aspect um and that we do need to observe more and sometimes speak less as well and um and reflect a little bit more often and and we can like I said earlier we can pass that on to our players as well. So that reflection can come from our guidance but it can also come from that peer-to-peer reflection for our players and again the environment that we are trying to trying to put back for our players. And just just you know just as we're wrapping up here if you if you think about how you want your players to sort of feel if our players are leaving leaving our game day uh with a little bit more understanding that when they arrived you you've done your job. It's like training. You know your match day is no real different to that. So we shouldn't be more stressed and more emotion when it comes to match day as we are in training. So it's no good being really jovial and you know and letting the players make those mistakes and having real good you know uh communication with the players and clarity through the week and then we get to the game day and we've just changed our persona you know to to to the other end of the scale. So we've got to be consistent with that and and if our players are learning just one thing they're taking one thing away from the games in terms of that learning that's brilliant. That's gold dust that's in their you know that their back pocket. They're going away and they're learning. They're improving and they're enjoying it that that that you know we're we're doing our job. Um just flick back just as we just as we're wrapping up. We've got Paul's mentioned goalkeeper kicking the ball out faintly giving away easy possession under eight. I see so many opposition managers getting frustrated with their kids for not doing the basics. Um yeah and again that's you know um I would probably come back to look we've all been a part of it. Um so competency levels are all different as well. So, um, but if we understand that that's where our that's where our players are, um, that might be something that we we consistently doing in training where we want to try and get better and then it's decision- making. Uh, but we need to understand that as they go through that process, these mistakes are going to occur, but we need to afford them lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of opportunities to iron out these mistakes. And if we do that, that that that can be a time thing. That might take three months. That might be three months of getting, you know, getting some tough tough results. But um but again we we want to guide them through that process. So you know do they understand the decision- making in terms of that and the support of the other players around it um and and that can that can take time and that can take that can really test your your patience as a coach um in terms of guiding them on that on that pathway. Uh Steve's got here concede earlier and we go again. Our players know not to argue with the ref. If they do they come off losing at half time we work we work as hard to get get back into the game. Brilliant. So again around attitude, you know, instill in the behaviors that we really want um our players to have and not just as not just as footballers but in life as well. It's really important that you know we we every every single day um you know in human nature we we we deal with setbacks and how we react to those is really crucial. So we want to try and instill these real good clear learning behaviors for our players. So that's a real good one Steve is that John's got one here. We had it this weekend when we were 5n 5-1 down at Halime. Players were down understandably so. So try my best to reassure them. Um they're a good team. We need to focus on what we've been doing in training. Yeah. Okay. So that might be look you know the next the next sort of five minutes in the game. I don't know what you've been working on Sean but you know um how many if you've been working on defending or whatever. how many regains can we get in the next five minutes or you know you might set individual tasks there in terms of how many times can you little Johnny you know affect and win the ball back or whatever that might look like and and again it's going out there with the right energy and the right intentions and the right attitudes and again I love the fact that you're saying you're trying to stay positive and it's really important that we do that because ultimately you know that that that result's not going to last a lifetime it just lasts lasts a few hours after the game for some kids and and and and Some are not too fussed. They got an ice cream shoved down their throat pretty much at the end of the game within five minutes. So, it's really important that we understand that and the learning opportunities that we're trying to get out of that. But really good one is that one, Sean. I think um a lot of us are understandably aware about that sort of stuff. Has anybody got any anything else they want to share? And again, like like I say, a lot of these it can really really test your patience as as as coaches and and again we we sometimes have to reflect and and and maybe just take stay calm and and understand that we're going to be tested as well as our players. So if we can stay positive um and consistent and have clarity, I think that they're the key messages that I would um I would like to give you, you know, in terms of in terms of that match day. Um yeah, so look, you know, if anyone does have any questions, obviously feel feel free to put them in the chat. Um I hope this um this workshop has helped give a few a few key pointers and a little bit of guidance and a little bit of help and support around around your match day and working with your players. Um, and like I say, if anybody some some of you shared some really good um, moments in here and some case studies in there for us all to to get across. And like I say, I think a lot of us pretty aware about this sort of stuff. We'll have all come across this sort of stuff all the time. Um, but yeah, if you've got any questions, please feel free to use the chat. Um, but I'd like to thank you for your time. um really enjoying these workshops and and the learning process and the support that we can give you guys around this. Any thoughts on balancing the parent and coach relationship with with own child on the team? Um yeah, look, it's it's a tough one. I think um one of my boys is on a team I take and and you you have to treat them like like any other player and um and and and give them them them equal opportunities like everybody else. And I think um it's you know it's really important that we try and do that. Then that comes back to the environment and the coach that we the environment that we want to try and create. Um so understanding that um uh can help Adam. Thanks Ray for that. Um thanks for your time guys. Really like I say really enjoying these workshops. Um and obviously the the the connection and the um some of the questions that you guys are are feeding back the interactive nature of this is really really good. Thanks Paul. No problem with the support. Yeah. All good. I think we'll wrap that one up then folks. Thank you very much. Thanks for your time. We look forward to seeing you on the next one. Thanks Sean. Thanks Ben. >> Thanks Nick. And we'll um upload the recording as well um for anyone who wants to rewatch. Grab the slides um use them as you wish. Keep them as notes on your phone um for match day. Um and hopefully you found it enjoyable um and insightful. And as Nick says, we're really enjoying these live workshops and it's something we're going to look to do more of in in the new year. Um, and hopefully help you guys even further on your on your coaching journey. >> Perfect. Take care, guys. We'll see you soon. Thank you. >> See you guys. Thank you.