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Episode 127,

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 127 – Coaches Voice (Episode 2): Half-Time Team Talks, Opposed v Unopposed, Player-Centred Coaching

In this episode we bring you the second instalment of our Coaches Voice series, recorded with Ray Power, where we share thoughts, experiences and reflections on key topics within the game.

This episode is shaped around questions and contributions from the coaching community. Zack kicks things off by asking about half-time team talks, Jonathan explores the use of opposed versus unopposed practices, and Adam, alongside a couple of his awesome young players, provides a brilliant real-life example of what player-centred coaching can look like in action.

We discuss how half-time can be used effectively to support players without overloading them, focusing on clarity of message and helping players to reset and refocus.

We also explore the balance between opposed and unopposed practices within training sessions, looking at how each can be used to support both technical development and game realism, and how coaches can design sessions that maximise transfer into match situations.

Finally, we reflect on player-centred coaching, highlighting the importance of creating environments where players are encouraged to think, solve problems, and take ownership of their development. Adam’s example, supported by his players, really brings this concept to life.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

X - The Soccer Coaching Podcast - @SoccerCoachCast

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - thesoccercoachingpodcast@gmail.com

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 126 – Training Session Round Table, with Ben Andreos, Craig Birtwistle, Peter Prickett & Ray Power

In this episode we bring together an outstanding panel for a Training Session Round Table discussion, focusing on what is arguably the most fundamental part of player development – the training session itself.

Joined by Ben Andreos, Craig Birtwistle, Peter Prickett and co-host Ray Power, we explore how coaches approach the design and delivery of training sessions. The conversation dives into session structure, how sessions connect to a wider coaching plan, and the importance of ensuring transfer from the training ground into matchday performance.

The panel share their experiences, ideas and practical approaches to creating engaging, purposeful and effective sessions that truly support both player and team development.

It was an absolute privilege to be joined by such an awesome group of coaches, each bringing their own perspective, insight and expertise to the discussion.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

Connect with our guests

• Peter Prickett (The Bearded Coach) – X: @PeterPrickett
• Craig Birtwistle – X: @CraigBirtwistle / @SessionShareNet
• Ben Andreos – X: @ben_andreos
• Ray Power – X: @power_ray

Podcast Information

X - The Soccer Coaching Podcast - @SoccerCoachCast

Email - thesoccercoachingpodcast@gmail.com

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 125

Brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly (@SoccerCoachWeek)

Episode 125 – How AI Can Be Used in Football Coaching, a conversation with Kevin Middleton

In this episode, Ray and I are joined by the awesome Kevin Middleton to explore the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence in football coaching and beyond.

Kevin shares his journey and provides a fascinating insight into his work with FootballGPT, highlighting how AI is beginning to shape the way coaches plan, analyse, and deliver their sessions. We dive into the practical applications of AI in coaching, as well as the opportunities and challenges it presents for coaches at all levels of the game.

We also discuss:

• What AI actually means for grassroots and academy coaches
• How tools like FootballGPT can support session design and planning
• The role of AI in analysis, feedback, and player development
• The balance between technology and the human side of coaching
• What the future of coaching might look like with AI continuing to evolve

Ray and Kevin are also running an AI course for coaches who want to explore this space further. You can find out more and book your place here:
AI for Football Coaching Course

This episode offers a thought-provoking look at how coaches can embrace innovation while staying true to their coaching philosophy and values.

Please do leave a review, like and share the episode!

The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Twitter - @SoccerCoachCast
The Soccer Coaching Podcast, Email - thesoccercoachingpodcast@gmail.com

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!

This episode was brought to you in association with our friends at Soccer Coach Weekly.

Established since 2006, Soccer Coach Weekly is a leading source of inspiration and advice for all grassroots coaches. Join thousands of youth soccer coaches, just like you, saving time and effort in their goal of having the most effective, enjoyable and successful coaching journey for them and their players. – https://www.soccercoachweekly.net/

Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoyed the episode!