robbo_11

I'm a technical coach I suppose, but also do SAQ when the time was right or if I think the player won't benefit from a technical skill due to the weather etc. Obviously fitness is important as the players have to be able to complete the 80-90 minutes so we have done some fitness sessions at the beach to mix it up. I don't agree that teaching a player to be strong is the way forward as you could have a 5'2 kid against a kid who is 5'9 after a massive growth spurt. It defies logic to think that trying to teach the smaller child to be strong will benefit them as opposed to giving them the information to dribble or pass their way around the tall child. The effective style of play would be one that is enjoyable simply. For the group I work with as long as they have fun I don't mind if is route 1 or 26 passes before the goal. Personally I prefer carpet football, but realistically they will not always keep it on the ground. My coaching style for football is I tell the players what to do and if they make a mistake then I ask the player themself how they could do it differently or I tell them what to do, ask them what to do and let them get on with it. If they make a mistake I stop the game briefly, explain what went wrong and play again.

Did you at least show him the way to the toilet then? Aye just gave him a shout, understood the pointing, but didn't seem to understand any English. Hopefully he picks it up quickly. Well done What a disaster it would have been, if he had chosen the wrong toilet. Luckily he chose the cleaners clost first otherwise he would have went straight to the ladies!

Did you at least show him the way to the toilet then? Aye just gave him a shout, understood the pointing, but didn't seem to understand any English. Hopefully he picks it up quickly.

Hatem Ben Arfa in Spy bar Jesmond trying to find the mens toilets last night. He also had that same jacket which he has been pictured in loads of times.

Kazenga LuaLua and Nile Ranger in Aspers about 10pm last night.

Guthrie in Florita's last night.

Currently losing 2-0 to Luton Town at HT. Alnwick, Newton, Dummett, Donaldson, Tozer, Henderson, LuaLua, Inman, Ranger, Vuckic, Edmundsson (Subs: McLaughlin, McDermott, Grieves, Ameobi)

I'm doing Samba soccer this week and it's weird how different it can be to my regular sessions. For example there is no set structure to the session, sure I give the kids a trick or skill and then they practice it before finishing with a game in comparison to planning a session with progressions on a certain area like heading. However given the way English coaching has been highlighted recently you would think it should be better because of the structure. Maybe its a case of the kid has talent, give them the time to practice that talent with some advice along the way as opposed to giving kids drills and trying to mould them into a certain type of player. It's good to see the different types of resources available and I'm sure they will be useful.

Ashington assistant manager is also academy coach and has worked with Hughton. Might have something to do with it or just a coincidence.

From my own personal experience a degree and coaching qualifications plus some experience will tick all the boxes. Although having said that another coach I work with hasn't got a degree, but has a wealth of qualifications and experience, however if he wants to progress he needs a degree (he is doing an open university foundation degree). It is useful to have, but not the be all and end all. Chris you said you wanted to go to America and I'm sure some of the better places would like you to have a degree or at least the ussoccercoaching link you posted earlier wanted one.

I would recommend it, more so than solely psychology. There is a fair bit of work involved, but if your keen you should be fine. The workload can be tricky, but I'm hoping it will stand me in good stead for the future. However, do continue to learn your coaching techniques in a practical environment as the coaching element of the course was a bit if a let down and rather easy.

Nope Liam Bramley U12 coach And Craig that sounds really interesting. What degree did you take? Sport Science Psychology? I took Applied Sport Science with Coaching. It was an interesting course, but the coaching modules left a lot to be desired after I was out and about gaining practical experience. It will give you insight into humanistic or holistic approaches and you do have to complete pratcialy coaching session for the assessments. I chose to continue physiology and psychology and dropped biomechanics in the second year.

Everyone seems to have given a back drop to how they see themselves going etc so Ill give a little bit about myself. I did my level 1 in October 2007 as I started my Sport Science with Coaching degree at Northumbria in the same year and thought it would be useful to have. I have finished my degree now and while it has been useful in parts, I think my placement was the best thing I ever did. From my placement I have achieved a great deal...I'm not just qualified as a football coach, but thats how I see myself progressing. The degree is useful to have, but from a practical coaching perspective I didn't learn a great deal. You learn theories of coaching, types of coaching etc but not really how to deal with kids, it was almost false since everything was the 'ideal' situation as you learned. I have the basis of psychology and physiology so that will hopefully prove useful. I've found job wise and from other people that if you have experience in that field that seems to go a long way rather than just coming out of university and having a degree. As for the future I will stick at my current multi sports coach job and get a few more qualifications before stepping up to a level 3. I plan on going to the USA at some stage as well before I settle down into a job which could combine my knowledge of sport science and skills from practical coaching. I'm going to be helping out with an U16 boys club team when I get time as a favour since they let me use the team to get my level 2 sessions done. With a level 3 there might be the chance to look into the academy, but with the constant restructuring it would be anyones guess. Craig

Good luck, Caz! Seconded. What are you wanting to do if and when you get your level 3? Thanks guys, I'll keep you updated on the progress and different things to do with the course. For the coming season I am going to be coaching an U16 boys team. I would love to say my aim is to be able to get into an academy and coach, but I think being female will hinder my chances for that. I don't think it would actually as there is a big push on female coaches, most only do their level 1 so already achieving a level 2 will stand you in good stead. I was looking at that ussoccercoaching website and am very interested in it. I would love to do a level 3, but will see how things go as I'm only 20 so plenty of time.

I started in Oct 2009 and finished in May 2010. You do your sessions introducing you to the course, different skill, technique or game situations then two refresher courses before your assessment. You have to do 12 hours of logged coaching so will be given a hand in date for that. Then once that has been signed off you will be given your topic and then your assessment date. I would expect you to be looking at around 6 months to complete it. It can be quite hard, certaintly more harder than the level 1, but if you have an interest then you should enjoy it.

You always see them. It's not fair! I live in Forest Hall and a few of them live around the area so you always spot them. Wish I didn't, don't think I'll win any pub quizzes knowing Max Johnson likes a Gregg Pasty. I see Danquah, Ranger and Lua Lua a fair few times, not recently though. My mate works in William Hill next to Sainsburys though and has said they have been in a few times.

Its a possible avenue, but you need Level 3 to work in academies.

I did my FA Level 1 in October 2007 and it was fairly simple to pass. You just had to listen to the tutor and learnt a few basic fun games that culminated in a 15 minutes session. I have just finished my FA Level 2 in May 2010 after starting in September 2009. It is a long process as you have to log your coaching sessions into a portfolio, complete tasks on the LTAD, nutrition, safety and then you have an intensive week where you learn the technique, skill and game of 4v4. The assessment can be on any of the 16 selected topics (running with the ball, dribbling etc) and lasts for 35 minutes with you doing a technique, skill and game element. Out of 13 people being assessed on the day 8 passed, but there was 23 people who started the course with me in September. I have been thinking of doing my Level 3 at some stage, but as I work as a coach and have other sports to learn its a case of finding the time. I would like to go to the USA as having a level 2 may be of more benefit to opportunities over there, but its mostly for the experience. There are also other badges like goalkeeping, futsal etc which have been alluded to by others on here.

Kevin Kuranyi to join Dynamo Moscow in the summer.

You're kidding, upstairs? Is it not easy enough for footballers? He was just downstairs at the bar and had a protective boot on.

Nile Ranger in Mood last night

Danquah has played in matches for Stockport and Bournemouth this week. Darren Lough played for Hartlepool a few weeks ago.

Fitz Hall, Leon Best, Danny Simpson, Nicky Butt and Wayne Routledge all in Floritas and Koos.

Paul Gascoigne came into my work on Saturday buying tabs and he seemed alright having a bit of a chat with anyone that spoke to him. Campbell and Ferdinand from Sunderland were in Tup last night.

Got to love the internet...stalking the stalkers