Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 71

John O'Sullivan writes our coach's column this week.

The Oregon-based founder of the Change The Game Project - which provides coaches and parents with information to make sports healthy, positive and rewarding - pens an opinion on self-confidence in young players.

As he notes, there is no 'magic pill' to infuse them with belief, only the development of skills and the right
environments in which to practice them.

It is an enlightening piece, which draws upon research from performance coach Steve Magness, as well as his own writings.

Self-confidence is also a theme of this week's Q&A, which is with Crewe Alexandra Women's head coach Matt Fisher.

He discusses with Steph Fairbairn his coaching philosophy with the team, which focuses less on dominating possession of the ball and more about having the belief to take players on high up the pitch.

But, as Matt admits, it can be a tough sell to those who don't realise they have the ability to do it.

Joe Vines, a former defender with a number of semi-professional clubs in England - including Lewes, where
he is now assistant manager - has designed our session this week, which highlights the importance of scanning and being aware of what is around you.

And if you are about to take on a new team, or perhaps even preparing for your first-ever match as a coach, we give you some tips on page eight.