Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 72

We are delighted to bring you a column this week penned by one of Canada's greatest players.

Andrea Neil played 132 times for her country between 1991 and 2007, playing in four Fifa Women's World Cups. And in 2008, the Vancouver Whitecaps retired the #5 jersey in her honour, calling Neil "the ultimate pioneer and ambassador".

She has coached since 1997 and has earned both the USSF B and Uefa A licences.

In her work now, Neil incorporates a mentorship approach towards player and coach education, blending leadership principles with the elements of technical development.

It is this technical development that forms the theme of her column, as she describes the ways in which she unlocks player potential by modifying body movements and developing problem-solving.

Decision-making is at the heart of our session this week, designed by Rosie Filby, which encourages players to assess situations in which they might either dribble with the ball or bring a team-mate into play.

Our Q&A is with James Brooks, who coaches with Brentford FC Foundation in London.

He has been talking to Scott Mowberry from our friends at the Soccer Coaching Podcast about the step from seven-a-side to nine-aside - a follow-up to the interview with Mark Edwards about the jump from five-a-side to seven-a-side.

And how do you know, for sure, if your young players are enjoying your sessions? Well, we have highlighted five telltale signs that will put your mind at ease.