coaching pathway

Duration: 2 sessions × 2 hours = 4 hours (+ 2 hrs self-study)
Target: New coaches, grassroots volunteers, and players transitioning into coaching.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the coach’s role as a learning designer, not just a trainer.
• Learn how to observe learning outcomes and not just activities.
• Apply coaching interventions that improve player understanding.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Understanding Coaching Intelligence:

• Difference between teaching and coaching
• The “Learning Cycle” (Plan → Do → Review → Adjust)
• How to design purposeful practices with measurable learning outcomes
• Case study: comparing two training clips and identifying coaching impact
   

Session 2: Designing Effective Practice Environments:

• The “Constraints-Led Approach” to skill acquisition
• Manipulating space, time, and opposition to increase decision-making
• Building a session for problem-solving, not repetition
• Practical: group exercise to create 1 activity using constraints
   

Assignment:

• Submit a 60-minute session plan that uses at least 2 applied constraints
• Reflect (150 words): How did your design promote decision-making?
   

Duration: 3 sessions × 2 hours = 6 hours (+ 2 hrs self-study)
Target: Coaches with Level 1 or equivalent experience.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the Principles of Play and how to train them. 
• Develop structured session progressions aligned with a game model.
• Apply questioning and feedback techniques for deeper learning.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: The Principles of Play (Attacking & Defending):

• Positional play and team structure basics 
• Functional practices that connect training to match situations
• Designing activities that represent the four moments of the game
   

Session 2: Coaching Methodology & Session Progression:

• The 3R Method: Repetition, Realism, Relevance
• Progressive planning (unopposed → opposed → game)
• Adapting your practice intensity and constraints
   

Session 3: Communication & Guided Discovery:

• The art of questioning and guided discovery
• Video breakdown: how elite coaches coach “within the game”
• Building your own communication framework
   

Assignment:

• Create a 3-session mini-cycle based on one game principle (e.g., playing out from the back).
• 200-word reflection on your communication strategy.

Duration: 4 sessions × 2 hours = 8 hours (+ 2 hrs self-study)
Target: Academy coaches, semi-pro coaches, or advanced youth coaches.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand tactical periodisation and integrated planning.
• Design a weekly microcycle linked to a playing style.
• Use match analysis data to drive training decisions.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Tactical Periodisation – The Framework:

• Tactical periodisation principles (Mourinho model)
• Physical and tactical co-dependence
• Designing sessions around tactical objectives, not fitness
   

Session 2: Game Model Construction:

• Building a team identity: roles, principles, sub-principles
• Translating philosophy → Game Model → Training design
• Group task: Draft your team’s 4 moments model
   

Session 3: Data & Video in Coaching:

• Introduction to performance metrics (xG, PPDA, recovery times)
• How to use video clips to identify tactical problems
• Building actionable feedback from match footage
   

Session 4: Integrating Individual Development Plans (IDPs):

• Connecting team model to individual goals
• Using observation sheets and KPIs
• Case study: Real match review with positional insights
   

Assignment:

• Build a 4-week tactical microcycle + IDP for one player.
• Submit a short 2-slide analysis of one match scenario and how your training would address it.
   

Duration: 5 sessions × 2 hours = 10 hours (+ 2 hrs self-study)
Target: Senior academy or semi-pro coaches; head coaches of youth programs.

Learning Outcomes:

• Construct full tactical structures (systems of play).
• Manage staff and resources for performance.
• Develop detailed opposition and self-analysis frameworks.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Advanced Tactical Systems & Adaptations:

• Building functional play within 4-3-3, 3-5-2, and hybrid systems
• Tactical flexibility: adjusting shapes in/out of possession
   

Session 2: Opposition Analysis & Game Planning:

• How to break down an opponent’s structure and key spaces
• Planning training weeks based on opposition profiles
• Case study: tactical analysis of a UEFA match
   

Session 3: Leadership in High-Performance Coaching:

• Managing staff, culture, and accountability
• Building a feedback and review culture
   

Session 4: Integrating Multi-Disciplinary Support:

• Working with S&C, analysts, psychologists
• Periodisation across departments
   

Session 5: Game Review & Continuous Improvement:

• Using video and analytics to evolve your game model
• Designing a “Coach Development Plan” for yourself and staff
   

Assignment:

• Submit a Tactical Game Plan Document (next opponent plan) + 1-page leadership reflection.
  
   

Duration: 6 sessions × 2 hours = 12 hours (+ 3 hrs self-study)
Target:  Coaches preparing for pro-level environments, technical directors, or future academy leaders.

Learning Outcomes:

• Master elite-level tactical thinking and leadership.
• Integrate psychology, analytics, and periodisation into a performance model.
• Build a complete, evidence-backed coaching philosophy.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Advanced Tactical Architecture:

• Creating multi-structure systems and in-game adaptations
• Advanced pressing, build-up, and transition patterns
• Tactical case study: Guardiola vs. Klopp evolution
   

Session 2: Managing Performance Environments:

• High-performance cultures: accountability, autonomy, alignment
• Managing pressure, stakeholders, and adversity
   

Session 3: Integrating Analysis, Sports Science, and Psychology:

• Using metrics (RPE, high-speed runs, player load)
• Collaboration frameworks for holistic performance
   

Session 4: Match Preparation & Decision-Making Under Pressure:

• Pre-match prep templates
• In-game tactical decisions and “what-if” scenario planning
   

Session 5: Managing People & Strategic Leadership:

• Communication with owners, media, players, and backroom staff
• Long-term player pathway planning
   

Session 6: Personal Philosophy & Portfolio Presentation:

• Presenting your Game Model & Philosophy (Zoom presentation)
• Creating a professional coaching portfolio (philosophy, team identity, training plan, analysis)
   

Final Assessment:

• Submit Tactical Dossier + Leadership Reflection (1,500 words)
• 15-min Panel Viva (Zoom) with 2 mentors
  
  
   

Duration: 2 sessions × 2 hours = 4 live hrs (+ 2 hrs self-study)
Target: Aspiring scouts, beginner coaches, and analysts entering talent ID.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the fundamentals of observation, bias, and context in scouting.
• Learn to record structured data during live or video matches.
• Build your first positional player profile.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: What Is a Scout Actually Looking For?

• Roles and responsibilities of a modern scout.
• Attributes vs. performance indicators.
• Cognitive bias and how to eliminate “gut feel.”
   

Session 2: Observation & Reporting Fundamentals:

• Developing an observation lens: technical, tactical, physical, psychological.
• The “5-Step Reporting Process.”
• Live practice: analyze a 2-minute video clip → draft a micro report.
   

Assignment:

• Create a Positional Profile Template for one role (e.g., full-back).
• Submit a 1-paragraph reflection: “What data points matter most for my position?”
   

Duration: 3 sessions × 2 hours = 6 live hrs (+ 2 hrs self-study)

Learning Outcomes:

• Apply structured frameworks for video and live analysis.
• Understand basic performance data (actions per 90, duels won %, etc.).
• Begin integrating qualitative and quantitative information.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: The Modern Scouting Framework:

• Observation grids and event tagging.
• Building reliability across multiple scouts.
   

Session 2: Introduction to Data Scouting:

• Key metrics by position.
• Using free tools (Wyscout alternatives, StatsBomb open data).
• Case study: comparing two forwards statistically vs. visually.

Session 3: Reporting & Communication:

• Writing objective, concise reports.
• Visual presentation basics (charts, heat maps, shot maps).
   

Assignment:

• Complete a Short Player Report (technical + data summary + recommendation).

Duration: 4 sessions × 2 hours = 8 live hrs (+ 2 hrs self-study)

Learning Outcomes:

• Evaluate players contextually within tactical systems.
• Identify compatibility between player traits and team game model.
• Understand how to filter, shortlist, and profile for recruitment.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Tactical Context in Scouting:

• How team structure alters player perception.
• Role analysis within formations (4-3-3 vs 3-5-2 examples).
   

Session 2: Player Profiling & Comparative Scouting:

• Radar charts, spider graphs, and role fit matrix.
• Comparing players across leagues and levels.
   

Session 3: Recruitment Pipeline & Filtering:

• From wide net to shortlist to final recommendation.
• Weighting criteria (technical scorecards).
   

Session 4: Case Study Workshop:

• Group task: analyse a real match and select a target player for specific club style.
   

Assignment:

• Submit a Player Comparison Report (two players for one position + recommendation).

Duration: 5 sessions × 2 hours = 10 live hrs (+ 2 hrs self-study)

Learning Outcomes:

• Lead a scouting operation and integrate data analytics.
• Manage cross-department collaboration with coaches and analysts.
• Use KPIs to align recruitment with club philosophy.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Data Analytics for Scouting Leads:

• KPIs for different positions and roles.
• Translating data into actionable insights.
   

Session 2: Advanced Opposition & Market Analysis:

• Evaluating opponents to find market opportunities.
• Using video databases for cross-region searches.
   

Session 3: Designing a Scouting Department:

• Role structures, workflow, reporting hierarchy.
• Balancing live vs data scouting.
   

Session 4: Ethics & Governance:

• Integrity, confidentiality, anti-bias frameworks.
   

Session 5: Case Study: Club-Level Recruitment Simulation:

• Build a transfer recommendation for a hypothetical club using budget constraints.
   

Assignment:

• Submit a Department Report (outline structure, tools, and budget for a scouting team).
  
   

Duration: 6 sessions × 2 hours = 12 live hrs (+ 3 hrs self-study)

Learning Outcomes:

• Design and lead a club-wide recruitment strategy.
• Evaluate players across markets with risk and value analysis.
• Integrate data, video, and live scouting into one strategic ecosystem.
   

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Strategic Recruitment Planning:

• Aligning recruitment to club philosophy and budget.
• Building multi-season succession plans.
   

Session 2: Market Analysis & Valuation:

• Contract status, age curve, transfer value modelling.
• Market risk and replacement planning.
   

Session 3: Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Advanced metrics (xG chains, progressive actions, packing rates).
• Weighting data against context.
   

Session 4: Global Network Management:

• Structuring international scouting networks.
• Communication protocols and reporting standards.

Session 5: High-Performance Leadership & Negotiation:

• Managing scouts, agents, and technical committees.
• Basics of negotiation and ethical decision making.
   

Session 6: Capstone Project Presentation:

• Present a mock recruitment plan for a club (including 3 targets + data pack + budget analysis).
   

Final Assessment:

• Submit a Comprehensive Recruitment Strategy Report (10 pages max) + Zoom Viva (15 min).