Philosophy & Methodology

Ben Ashby Coaching Philosophy & Methodology

A coaching philosophy is a set of principles and values that a coach sets their beliefs by. It can be an overall aim for sessions.

My philosophy can be adapted to suit different players age and ability.   

   

‘I aim to develop individuals as part of a team technically & and tactically who are able to meet the demands of the game’

‘Teams should have the qualities and understanding of how to play through or round teams whilst dominating possession’

Technical

Technically players should execute the technical requirements of the game with both feet effectively and efficiently.

Technically players should be able to manipulate the ball with a variety of surfaces in a number of ways.

Players need to be able to efficiently and effectively manoeuvre in tight areas quickly to allow them to evade opposition and create opportunities for others by bypassing opposition players out of the game.

Players should be able to execute a range of passing over varying distances.

Shooting should be able to executed from different distances from a range of angles with no comprise on quality and power. 

Physically

Players should possess high levels of aerobic endurance, agility, power, strength and speed.

These are the needs to be able to affect the game more positively when combined with the technical aspects of the game.

When levels of the components of fitness decrease the effectiveness and ability to execute the technical requirements also lower in tandem. 

Methodology

Players should be coached in a variety of ways to ensure players have an opportunity to express themselves and discover ‘what works’ for them as players.

Players still need to be guided to through what is required through effective guidance and modelling. 

Development of 5-12 Yr Olds

With the development of the EPPP it naturally splits Child/Youth Development into stages of development.

Players at this age need development of the fundamental movements with emphasis of balance and agility. Players should have a heavy emphasis on technical development, so skills and manipulation of the ball becomes ingrained.

Players should be allowed freedom and be guided through making decisions. This will allow players to become better thinkers and encouraged to be creative.

Players will be able be to recognise when the execution of skill is required due to changing environment they are playing through past experiences of success and failure. 

Development of 12-16 Yr Olds

Players of this age need to start having some more physical development, certainly at the latter end of this development cycle. This should be done predominantly through self loading exercises, improvements to speed and agility should also be focussed on. Improvements to the players endurance capacity can be developed through manipulation on training session intensity.

Players of this age need to start having some game principles introduced to them. Effective demonstration of how to execute skills and techniques within game related practices are key, this allows for players to bridge together key components of skill acquisition to tactical knowledge.  

Understanding of positional roles and responsibilities should be developed without ring fencing individuals into specific positions. 

Development of 16 -18 Yr Olds

Players by now should be technical ability proficient. They should be able manipulate and execute a range of skills with both feet and ease. Players should also have an understanding of the requirements to full fill a number of positions and be comfortable playing in those positions in small captions of the 11v11 game.

At this stage players should have specific training plans that develop physical in differences whilst still progressing players as athletes.

Players are now needing the development of the 11v11 game delivered and the principles of play in both attack and defence.

Players should be clear in specific individual responsibilities of what to do, when in possession and out of possession, and have a clear understanding and be able to explain some common questions, how, why and when. I.E Pressing the opposition. How to press? When to press? And Why press the ball?

Players will start to favour and be more effective in specific positions. But still be effective in a number of roles.