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    Design journey of Animal MatchPlay Cards
    The Coaching Lab
    • Oct 5, 2021
    • 4 min

    Design journey of Animal MatchPlay Cards

    "When are you going to release new decks of MatchPlay Cards?" Well... we heard you and now they're here! Founder of The Coaching Lab, Jack Rolfe takes us behind the scenes of how Animal MatchPlay Cards were designed... We are strong believers that the game shouldn't be a reward for good behaviour nor should it be a bonus if there is time left at the end of the session, the game should sit at the centre. Built on the same four principles that every other deck in the MatchPlay
    Developing Adaptive Movers
    The Coaching Lab
    • Aug 17, 2021
    • 3 min

    Developing Adaptive Movers

    Sport should be full of interactions that supercharge an individual's experience and love for the activity. What would these environments look like? Decision rich... playful... Exploratory... As environment architects, we can change the task or something within the environment to bring this to life. Thinking about the wider environment that an individual moves in shapes the type of practices we design. The more individuals explore the environment, the more opportunities emerg
    3 Ways to grow great communicators
    The Coaching Lab
    • Jun 6, 2021
    • 3 min

    3 Ways to grow great communicators

    If we believe communication to be a high priority skill for our players, what are we doing to develop it? Does the design of our training reflect and create opportunities to develop such a critical skill? Consider the impact your coaching interactions are having on players, Next time you say "why aren't they talking?!" reflect on the balance of coach talk vs player talk? If there was to be more player talk than coach talk what would the impact be? Let's dive in and explore 3
    Gameday Coaching
    The Coaching Lab
    • Apr 4, 2021
    • 2 min

    Gameday Coaching

    Matchday is back and we're super excited! An extension of training, matchdays create an opportunity for coaches to connect players to their super strengths and grow a love for the game. We spend plenty of time planning our sessions but do we plan out matchdays? Coaching interactions? Player questions? Team challenges? Here are a couple of our top tips and tricks to get the most out of your players... 🚀 SET PLAYER CHALLENGES Young people believe in magic and that everything i
    Bloomsbury Football Foundation
    The Coaching Lab
    • Mar 8, 2021
    • 2 min

    Bloomsbury Football Foundation

    The Coaching Lab has been supporting Bloomsbury and their coaches with MatchPlay Cards as the central London based football charity has kick
    5 Top Tips Post Lockdown
    The Coaching Lab
    • Feb 13, 2021
    • 3 min

    5 Top Tips Post Lockdown

    It's almost back! After months of Zoom quizzes, virtual classes and WhatsApp groups, sport is making a slow return and we can't wait! What are your biggest learnings of lockdown? What are the things you've missed most? 😍 LOVE THE GAME Check this out from Hill House School! Staff were able to continually check and challenge players learning through games, helping staff see players in the future and design sessions to support development. Considering themselves as game designe
    Team Challenges with IFK Stocksund
    The Coaching Lab
    • Feb 10, 2021
    • 3 min

    Team Challenges with IFK Stocksund

    The foundation of IFK Stocksund rests on two pillars, having great coaches to lead and an environment that is both fun and effective. IFK Stocksund, based in Stockholm, Sweden are leading the nations way in youth development. Their sustainable approach for both coaching and player development drives their philosophies on and off the pitch. Using MatchPlay Cards weekly in their youth programme IFK Stocksund are putting the game at the centre to support their player's developme
    Hill House Gold Cup with MatchPlay Cards
    The Coaching Lab
    • Jan 5, 2021
    • 2 min

    Hill House Gold Cup with MatchPlay Cards

    Replacing their home and away games programme with an internal 'Gold Cup' tournament, due to COVID restrictions (SEPT 2020), the staff of Hill House School in the North of England have been the architects of problem setters, not problem solvers thanks to MatchPlay Cards. Not wanting to lose the competition, challenge and learning opportunities that external matches provide. The 'Gold Cup' was created to replicate these demands in a representative way with MatchPlay Cards, ask
    MatchPlay Cards at Hamilton FC
    The Coaching Lab
    • Jan 2, 2021
    • 2 min

    MatchPlay Cards at Hamilton FC

    We know that the game will ask players to solve problems in real-time, we also know that the game will challenge players to continually adapt. These may be through a tactical change of the opposition, numbered due to a card or finding a way to win from behind. Coaches of Hamilton FC Academy have been using MatchPlay Cards to bring the game to life, here's how! “They’re problem solving all the time... it's a brilliant way to see their brains working.” Matt Boyle, Head of Junio
    Ideas for coaching odd numbers
    The Coaching Lab
    • Oct 12, 2020
    • 3 min

    Ideas for coaching odd numbers

    We have all been there, we arrive for an action-packed session planned to the finest and smallest of details fit for an even number of players attend and then reality kicks in, an odd number arrive! Here are a few ideas to support your coaching delivery as you add MatchPlay Cards© into your training games... "It’s crucial for coaches to provide the right conditions for players to thrive. It doesn't matter what setting you coach in – creating a positive environment is really i
    Promoting Decision Makers
    The Coaching Lab
    • Apr 23, 2020
    • 2 min

    Promoting Decision Makers

    If we are asking players to make decisions though then as coaches we must reflect and ask ourselves; is our training actually asking players
    Coaching the Foundation Phase
    The Coaching Lab
    • Apr 14, 2020
    • 2 min

    Coaching the Foundation Phase

    Ready, Set, Go! Fresh into the starting blocks, youngsters roll up at sporting facilities across the world to play the game they have maybe watched on TV or encouraged to explore a new sport. These foundation years are the starting point of every child that plays the game. The coaches who sit alongside these age groups are the critical influencers in their future. We are role models and often on reflection their heroes who impact their vision, belief and love of the game. Pro
    Using Team Challenges
    The Coaching Lab
    • Feb 10, 2020
    • 2 min

    Using Team Challenges

    Using in-game challenges on a match day or during training is a great way to take the game to new levels of exploration. Here are a few of our favourite ways to use team challenges on the pitch. Rise to the challenge: Create an opportunity for one team to challenge another based on their observations and experiences they have just had. Where do they think the opposition can challenge them more? And what do they think the opposition can do to be more successful? Better underst
     
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