Soccer Coach Weekly Issue 88

The title of the 1980 song by UK band The Korgis sprang to mind when compiling this issue.

It is a simple fact that every coach, whatever their level, has had that 'first session' feeling.

And for grassroots volunteers, taking the first step on to the grass in front of an expectant team can be daunting.

That is why, for the second of our four-part 'GroupThink' feature, we asked a selection of attendees at the recent United Soccer Coaches Convention to give advice to nervy novices.

Some of the suggestions are on our chalkboard front page - but there are many more inside.

This week's Q&A is with Tom Shields, the technical director, boys' ECNL director and USL2 head coach at STA Soccer in New Jersey.

He spoke to our editor-in-chief Steph Fairbairn about his 'progressive, holistic, player-centred' approach to coaching, how he structures sessions and avoiding the pitfalls of 'paralysis by analysis' when planning.

To hear the full interview as a podcast, click the link at the bottom of page 10 or subscribe for free via your usual provider.

In this issue, we wrap up our three-part feature on futsal and its influence on player development in soccer.

Russell Fryer looks at some tactical elements of futsal, in particular playing in tight spaces and switching the play to create overloads, and explains how they can help your players in the 11-a-side game.

Finally, we have a really fun game which will help your players take more shots and become more confident in front of goal.