In this episode I am joined by the newest member of the PDP team, James Coutts.

The question this week comes from an anonymous grassroots coach: He asks, “Should I recruit stronger players?” Click here to find out more about Player Development Project Membership Your Turn: Ask PDP Anything Each week, we will choose a key question from our community for discussion.  In order to build a broad range of answers which will be valuable for our community, we need you to get involved. Here’s what you can do: Ask questions. Post them in the comments of this post, Tweet them to...

Coaching youth sport is complex, challenging and rewarding. In this Masterclass Discussion we speak to Founder of Changing the Game Project and youth coaching expert, John O’Sullivan. PDP Editor, Dave Wright hosts John for an in depth discussion which dives into a range of topics including women’s football, John’s work in the youth coaching space, specialisation, organisational culture and creating learning environments for young people. John is a leader in driving change in youth sport, a...

In this episode of “On the grass..” we are joined by Rob Carlisle. Rob is the Programme Leader – MA Sport Coaching and Development at the University of Chester. He is completing a PhD examining the organisational cultures of professional football clubs.Rob is a level 4 football coach and works for the Football Association delivering coach education courses including the UEFA B Licence qualification. Alongside this he is also a Youth Development Phase coach at Blackburn Rovers where he works...

In this Masterclass Discussion, Dr. Craig Harrison is hosted by PDP Editor, Dave Wright for a wide ranging conversation on youth development, skill acquisition and the importance of play in the learning process for children. Craig and Dave cover a range of topics including sports science and how it can be integrated in youth settings, specilasation, development versus performance and much more. This is an insightful and educational interview with a real innovator in New Zealand youth...

In this Masterclass Discussion, Player Development Project hosts, Dave Wright and Dan Wright sit down for a fascinating conversation with world leading Sports Psychologist, Dan Abrahams. Dave and Dan facilitate an in depth conversation with Dan on his experience in sports psychology across different codes.  We examine the four corner model and the value of breaking down psychology into a component, we talk autonomy, challenge the review process, discuss coach communication and much, much...

The question this week comes from Joe via Facebook: “Is it OK for a young player to commit a professional foul?” Click here to find out more about Player Development Project Membership Your Turn: Ask PDP Anything Each week, we will choose a key question from our community for discussion.  In order to build a broad range of answers which will be valuable for our community, we need you to get involved. Here’s what you can do: Ask questions. Post them in the comments of this post, Tweet them to...

In this episode of  ‘On the Grass’ we are joined by Jonas Munkvold. Jonas is a coach at Vålerenga in Norway, he joins us to share his 1v1 model as we discuss developing the individual in the team.

In this Masterclass Discussion, FA National Women’s Coach Developer, Amy Price shares her unique approach to player development with Dave Wright & Dan Wright in a highly engaging conversation. Amy shares research on how coaches can use the principles of video game design to engage young players in their own development, setting challenges, designing tasks and encouraging problem-solving. Amy outlines how players can take ownership of the task and you can ‘level’ up the challenge as you...

Alan Good is the coaching director for Focus Field Hockey, a hockey club in Virginia that aims to grow the game, develop players and people and help those who wish to play at the collegiate level in America get recruited. He also works for USA Field Hockey, the sport’s governing body in America, as a coach educator and high performance coach. In this conversation we discuss competition, working with teenagers and helping our players to develop their psychological skills. Click here to find...

How can you make your environment as positive as possible? In this Masterclass Discussion, Positive Psychology expert, Lara Mossman joins PDP Editor, Dave Wright for an in-depth discussion on positive psychology in coaching. Lara is one of Player Development Project’s founding contributors and is a world-class expert in the area of positive psychology in coaching. Dave and Lara tackle some common misconceptions around psychology, discuss what positive psychology is and how coaches can apply...

In this episode of “On the Grass” Dan Wright is joined by Debbie Sayers from Salisbury Rovers. Debbie discusses the importance of play and why their club put the child at the centre of every decision, this includes picking formation and even kids designing their own sessions! As youth sport because more and more structured Debbie is offering a different approach.  There are loads of great takeaways for coaches in this conversation, especially for those wanting to increase fun, engagement and...

In this Masterclass Discussion, PDP Editor Dave Wright is joined by Head of Specialist Coaching & Lead In Possession Coach at The FA, Aaron Danks. PDP Technical Advsior, Dan Wright also joins the discussion for a fascinating conversation on youth development. Aaron is a holder of the UEFA Pro License, he spent over a decade at West Bromwich Albion Academy and was part of the England U20 coaching staff who led the team to World Cup success in 2017. We dive into Aaron’s personal coaching...

“On the grass” is a new project hosted by Dan Wright. In each show Dan is joined by an expert guest, with the ultimate aim is to share some of their experience and knowledge to help other coaches working in the youth development space. The podcast is an informal discussion where coaches and people working on the grass, discuss one BIG idea. In the first episode Dan is joined by Stuart Armstrong. Stuart is Head of Coaching at Sport England and also founder of the Talent Equation, blog and...