The Coaches Network Podcast

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Liam Bloye, Head of Coach & Player Development at Cambridge United FC. With experience across England, the US, and Australia, Liam shares honest reflections on leadership, learning through experience, and what it really means to support coaches, players, and parents within an academy environment.This conversation explores the balance between professional identity and personal life, the value of varied experiences over time served, and the ongoing challenge of creating alignment without complacency in coach development systems.💡 Key Talking PointsLiam’s journey through coaching roles across different clubs, countries, and cultures.Why identity beyond coaching matters — fatherhood, perspective, and balance.The difference between years of experience and quality of experience.Why complacency is one of the biggest threats to development in football organisations.How exposure to different environments shapes adaptable, reflective coaches.Measuring whether coaching is actually “working” — beyond assumptions and tradition.Creating aligned identities without stifling individuality in coaches.Supporting parents as stakeholders in the player development process.Finding better ways to genuinely impact coach growth while keeping players at the centre.🧠 “You can have 20 years of different experiences — or 20 years of doing the same thing over and over.” – Liam Bloye📣 Whether you’re leading coach development, working in an academy environment, or reflecting on your own coaching journey, this episode will challenge you to think more deeply about experience, identity, and how we truly know development is happening.👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.💬 Join the conversation — how do you know your coaching is actually working?#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #CoachEducation #LeadershipInSport #PlayerDevelopment #ReflectivePractice #TheCoachesNetworkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ruben Ward-Lindsay, a coach working across academy football, semi-professional men’s football, and education. From his role with Watford’s U10s to his coaching at Biggleswade United and his full-time work as a PE teacher in alternative provision, Ruben brings a powerful blend of lived experience, empathy, and practical insight.This conversation dives into what coaching really looks like on the ground — working with young people who’ve experienced adversity, navigating Foundation Phase priorities, and challenging traditional ideas around 1v1s and session design. Ruben shares honest reflections from both the academy and AP worlds, exploring transferable skills, behaviour management, and what young players actually need to grow.💡 Key Talking PointsRuben’s coaching journey across Watford Academy, Biggleswade United and alternative education.What coaching in alternative provision teaches you about patience, empathy, and behaviour management.How working with excluded young people develops communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.Why understanding the “whole child” is essential in both teaching and coaching.The importance of context when coaching 1v1 situations — and why generic 1v1 boxes often miss the mark.Position-specific 1v1s: creating realistic, match-like pictures that reflect actual demands.Foundation Phase priorities:Passing & receiving as the most frequent action in the game.Consistency versus capability — and why U10s can do things but not replicate them yet.Finishing: unopposed, in the box, and from realistic scenarios like cutbacks.Comparing Foundation Phase (U10s) with YDP demands (U13s–14s): biomechanics, decision-making, and consistency.Why coaches must think beyond isolated practices and consider what players were doing before and what they’ll need next.🧠 “Passing and receiving is massive — it’s the most frequent action in football. The difference at U10 isn’t ability, it’s consistency.” – Ruben Ward-Lindsay📣 Whether you're a Foundation Phase coach, working in education, or navigating multiple environments, this episode offers grounded, practical insight that will help you rethink session design, player development, and how to support young people more effectively.👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.💬 Join the conversation — how do you create realistic, position-specific pictures in your coaching?#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #FoundationPhase #CoachEducation #PlayerDevelopment #YouthFootball #TeachingAndCoaching #TheCoachesNetworkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by John Murphy, a highly experienced coach and educator whose career spans MLS, US Soccer, and the UEFA pathway. With roots in both the US and UK, John brings a unique dual-perspective shaped by decades in professional environments, university soccer, and coach education.This conversation explores the art of keeping coaching simple, designing meaningful player-centred sessions, and understanding what truly matters in long-term player and coach development. John’s journey offers powerful insight into the realities of elite sport, the importance of psychological safety, and how coaches can stay grounded in a profession full of complexity.💡 Key Talking PointsJohn’s journey from Boston to Scotland to MLS — and into coach education with US Soccer.Navigating coaching across elite, university, and youth environments.Why simplicity is a superpower in coaching: lessons from Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, and other top influences.Designing a weekly rhythm: when sessions should be player-led vs coach-led.The “sandwich” approach to session flow — blending player-centred and coach-centred methods.Understanding the two tracks of sport: elite performance vs participation, and why both matter.Creating psychological safety and high-energy training environments.The role of curiosity, humility, and lifelong learning in coach development.How modern coaches can use readily available resources to grow in small, consistent steps.🧠 “The best coaches I’ve learned from keep it very simple.” – John Murphy📣 Whether you’re working in grassroots, academies, elite performance, or coach education, this episode will help you rethink how you design sessions, engage players, and build your own coaching identity.👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.💬 Join the conversation — what does ‘keeping coaching simple’ mean in your environment?#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #CoachEducation #PlayerCentred #CoachingSimplicity #CoachingMindset #TheCoachesNetworkAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Richard Cheetham MBE, Senior Fellow in Sports Coaching at the University of Winchester and one of the most respected voices in coach development across the UK.Richard brings decades of experience working across multiple sports — from cycling to rugby to high-performance environments — and offers a refreshingly human, reflective, and deeply practical look at what coach development reallyis (and what it isn’t).From partnership learning to creating environments where coaches can truly flourish, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humility, and powerful real-world insight.💡 Key Talking PointsRichard’s journey into coach development and why working across sports shaped his philosophy.Why coach development is a partnership, not a transaction.How assumptions about how people should learn can limit growth.The importance of curiosity, feedback, and co-designing the learning process.Why great coaches need different environments — and how to identify what helps someone “come alive.”How to challenge coaches without overwhelming them (“not sunshine, unicorns, and chocolate cake”).The importance of doing the prep work before coach interactions — understanding individuals, values, and learning preferences.Why reflection is an active skill, not a passive diary entry.What Richard has learned from working with elite groups like the Royal Navy rugby team.What actually works in coach development — and why we still don’t ask this question enough.🧠 “If you want people to flourish, you can’t assume they’ll flourish under your conditions.” – Richard Cheetham📣 Whether you’re a new coach, an experienced mentor, or leading coach development programmes, this episode gives you a fresh way to think about learning, interaction, and what it means to truly support coaches.👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.💬 What environment brings you alive as a coach? And how do you help others find theirs?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Francis Aderiye, Academy Coach, Non-League First Team Coach, and lifelong student of the game.From a knee injury that redirected his path into coaching at just 16, to now balancing roles across academy and senior football, Francis brings honesty, curiosity, and deep reflection to this conversation about coaching, development, and the ever-evolving nature of the game.Together, they explore the grey areas of coaching — the bits that sit between philosophy, player freedom, performance demands, and what “good coaching” actually looks like in practice.💡 Key Talking PointsFrancis’ journey: from injured young player to coaching at 16 and finding a new passion.Why football is never black and white — and how this shapes coaching decisions.The tension between academy development and non-league performance demands.Who really gets the credit for success: the player or the coach?Does coaching actually work — or does football simply go in cycles?The evolution of coaching: from command-style methods to autonomy and back again.Why players should be the “artists” and coaches the ones who give them the brushes.What a meaningful game model looks like and why clarity matters.How Francis approaches his own coach development and reflective practice.🧠 “If the picture belongs to the players, your job is to give them the paint — not to tell them exactly what the painting should look like.” – Francis Aderiye📣 Whether you're in grassroots, academy, or senior football, this episode challenges assumptions about coaching impact, player decision-making, and what modern development truly requires.👉 Tune in now on all major podcast platforms.💬 Drop a comment: What do you think coaching success really looks like?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🎙 Episode 370: Jamie Bird | The Future of Performance Analysis in FootballIn this episode of The Coaches Network Podcast, CoachYas is joined by rising performance analyst Jamie Byrne, a dynamic young professional carving a path in elite football.At just 23 years old, Jamie has already worked with clubs such as Birmingham City Women, Crystal Palace, and currently supports AAFP in Colombia. With a First-Class Honours in Sport & Exercise Science and an MSc in Applied Performance Analysis underway, Jamie brings both academic insight and real-world experience to the conversation.🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Jamie’s unique journey into football analysis and early career experiencesThe evolving role of the performance analyst in modern footballBalancing individual vs. team analysis for player developmentHow collaboration, challenge, and uncertainty foster better coaching outcomesReal-life stories of influencing tactical decisions and earning coach trustWhy analysts must learn to communicate and challenge effectively within MDTsJamie’s belief that “opposition is opportunity” — embracing feedback and critical thinking💬 “People aren’t challenging you to spite you — they’re doing it to make you better.” – Jamie Byrne🔗 This Episode Is Perfect For:Analysts and aspiring analysts in sportCoaches seeking better integration with analysis teamsStudents of sport science, performance analysis & coachingAnyone interested in the behind-the-scenes development of footballers🎧 Listen Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms📲 Follow us @TheCoachesNetwork for exclusive content, coaching insights & CPD opportunitiesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🎙️ Episode 368 – Creating Football Learning Situations with Mark SchuurIn this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dutch coach Mark Schuur to explore what it means to create learning-centred, game-relevant environments for players. With a background in PE teaching and academy coaching, Mark shares insights from his journey through the Dutch coaching landscape, including his time at FC Utrecht and other professional setups.Together, they unpack:How to design sessions that replicate the gameThe importance of clarity and simplicity in coachingWhy asking the right questions can be more powerful than delivering informationHow to shift your mindset from planning drills to crafting learning experiencesBalancing technical repetition with tactical decision-makingStrategies for increasing player ownership and engagementWhether you coach grassroots or elite players, this episode will spark ideas for how to enhance your delivery and impact through purposeful design and reflective practice.🔍 What You'll Learn:How to create more meaningful and effective football sessionsThe benefits of using small-sided games and positional constraintsWhy variety isn’t always better – and how consistency builds understandingHow to foster motivation and autonomy through reflectionWhat Mark learned from coaching U13s through to senior prosAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🎙 Episode 366 – Danny Pilgrim | Commentary vs. Coaching, Self-Awareness & Using Coach DevelopersIn this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Danny Pilgram (Birmingham City FC Academy Coach & Non-League First Team Coach) for a grounded, honest and insightful conversation about the journey of becoming a coach—and what it really means to coach, not just commentate.Danny shares reflections from over a decade of experience across academy and senior football, breaking down the trap many new coaches fall into: mistaking talking for teaching. He explores the importance of clarity, intentionality, and the power of feedback in developing your practice.💡 Key Talking PointsThe difference between commentary and actual coaching—and why it matters.How easy it is to lose focus mid-session, even with the best intentions.Why having a "buddy coach" or trusted colleague can sharpen your practice.Practical strategies to audit your own coaching language and interventions.How to get the most out of working with a coach developer.Why self-awareness and deliberate reflection must underpin your coaching identity.🧠 “You can still develop yourself—even while delivering a session.” – Danny Pilgrim📱 Whether you're new to coaching or mentoring others, this episode is packed with real-world insight and tips you can use straight away. From using your phone to record your own voice, to learning how to ask coach developers for specificfeedback—this one’s a practical deep-dive into becoming more self-aware, coach-aware, and player-focused.👉 If this resonated, tag a coach you rate and start a conversation about commentary vs. coaching.💬 Let us know your go-to tools for self-review—we’re all still learning.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🎙 Episode 364 – Alex Stylianou & Darren Murray | Objectivity, Mentorship & the Complexity of Modern CoachingIn this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Alex Stylianou (UEFA A Licence Holder) and Darren Murray (UEFA A Licence Holder) to explore what it really means to develop as a coach in today’s complex, content-heavy world.Alex and Darren bring unique perspectives from working across national teams, academy football, and international development settings. This conversation unpacks the subtle tensions between objectivity and subjectivity in coaching, the real value of mentorship, and the importance of grounding your learning in frameworks rather than trends.💡 Key Talking PointsWhy “objective” coaching isn’t about being cold and clinical—but clear and consistent.How Alex’s and Darren’s diverse pathways shaped their views on coach learning and reflection.The danger of mentorship becoming “guru-led” instead of dialogue-driven.Why complexity in coaching demands more humility, not more hacks.How to build a learning environment that challenges assumptions and encourages critical thinking.What coaches can do to filter noise and focus on what actually matters in their own practice.🧠 “It’s not about who you follow—it’s about what you’re asking, what you're reflecting on, and what you're applying.” – Darren Murray📣 Whether you're early in your coaching journey or leading development in your club or organisation, this episode will push your thinking around mentorship, learning, and what it takes to coach with clarity in complex times.👉 Like, share, and follow if this conversation sparked new reflections for you!💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn—share your takeaways and tag us to let us know how you’re navigating the complexity of modern coaching in your own setting.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🎙 Episode 362 - Professor Andy Abraham | The Art of Professional Judgement in CoachingIn this follow-up episode, Coach Yas reconnects with Professor Andy Abraham to dig deeper into the nuanced world of coaching, professional judgement, and decision-making.Andy expands on the idea of coaches making "bets"—calculated decisions based on their perceptions, prior experiences, and contextual understanding. Together, they explore how these decisions are not just intuitive but informed by a blend of tacit knowledge and professional reasoning.💡 Key Talking PointsThe meaning of professional judgement and decision-making in coaching.Coaches as cognitive apprentices, modelling their thought processes for others.The tension between topic-based coaching and game-realistic scenarios.The importance of creating curiosity in coaches by highlighting what they don’t yet know.How experienced practitioners often hold "folk theories" that align with academic ones.Why working with both experienced and novice coaches requires a flexible coach development mindset.🧠 “You’ve created a sense of deprivation… people get curious, and they start going on a journey with it.” – Andy Abraham📣 Whether you’re an emerging coach or a seasoned practitioner, this episode will challenge how you view planning, reflection, and the development of coaching expertise.👉 Like, share, and follow if this episode sparked some thoughts!💬 Drop a comment on LinkedIn and tag us with your biggest takeaway — we’d love to hear how it’s shaping your coaching practice.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

🎙️ Episode 360 – Fishbowling & Unlocking Coaching Potential with Russell EarnshawWelcome back to The Coaches Network Podcast! In this special episode, Coach Yas is joined once again by the ever-insightful Russell Earnshaw – known to many as Rusty – for a rich conversation exploring what it truly means to coach with purpose, flexibility, and curiosity.🔑 What’s Inside This Episode?Rusty and Yas dive into:🧠 The lock and key analogy for coaching – why no coach holds all the keys and how collaboration opens more doors for players.📋 The critical importance of intentional session planning – and what happens when coaches aren’t aligned.🔄 How self-awareness and honesty about your coaching preferences (e.g., not enjoying 1:1 coaching) can enhance player outcomes.🧩 The value of understanding your own coaching strengths and blind spots – and when to hand the reins to someone better suited.🗺️ Why identifying team values (like confidence, decision-making, or self-organisation) must shape your planning.🤝 How involving players in the planning process can foster autonomy and resilience.This episode is packed with golden takeaways for coaches at all levels who are keen to reflect on:Their intention behind planningHow to design environments that reflect core valuesAnd how to collaborate better with co-coaches to unlock collective potential.📌 Whether you’re a coach developer, grassroots leader or elite performance coach, this episode will get you thinking differently about how and why you plan.🔗 Connect with Rusty:Twitter/X: @_RustyEarnshawWebsite: The Magic Academy🗣️ Let us know your thoughts and biggest takeaways by tagging us on social media or using the hashtag #TheCoachesNetwork.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode #358 of The Coaches Network Podcast.The guest for this episode is Adam Kelly. Adam is an Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise and Course Leader for Professional Doctorate in Sport (DSport) at Birmingham City University, United Kingdom. I am also Leader of the newly established BCU Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab. Alongside completing a PhD at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (BASES CSci), and FA UEFA A Licenced Coach. Join us as Adam shares his thoughts on how talent can be better identified and practitioners and organisations can implement more robust, effective and nurturing talent development systems and environments. Enjoy!Why not become an official member or supporter of The Coaches Network?The Coaches Network is proud to formally reveal our very first Patreon membership. This membership consists of monthly donations with a price worth as much as a cup of coffee! Only £3.50 per month! What benefits will there be you say? Click here to find out more.Click here for more information on our upcoming Coach Education Webinars and Mentor Programmes.Enjoy and be sure to subscribe & connect with your host on social media to make your up to date with everything we’re doing.Coach Yas - Instagram - Twitter - LinkedIn - Facebook - Patreon - PodcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode #354 of The Coaches Network Podcast.The guest for this episode is Stephen Maxwell.Stephen is a Lifelong Learning enthusiast, Coach Education Manager with Cricket Ireland, Founder and Creator of No Other Game Around, Performance Analyst, Coach Developer across multiple sports and High Performance Coach. Join us as Stephen shares his thoughts on how coach and coach developers can uphold high standards for themselves and challenge one another to be the best versions of themselves. Enjoy!Why not become an official member or supporter of The Coaches Network?The Coaches Network is proud to formally reveal our very first Patreon membership. This membership consists of monthly donations with a price worth as much as a cup of coffee! Only £3.50 per month! What benefits will there be you say? Click here to find out more.Click here for more information on our upcoming Coach Education Webinars and Mentor Programmes.Enjoy and be sure to subscribe & connect with your host on social media to make your up to date with everything we’re doing.Coach Yas - Instagram - Twitter - LinkedIn - Facebook - Patreon - PodcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy