Without question my favourite subject, both as a child and as an adult, and like most people football is my first love. Cricket and Basketball had brief stints as my favourite sport but footy always stayed number 1. 

In my capacity as Bournville Tutor, I will pass on my infinite wisdom about the beautiful game. I will be going through a few coaching tips. So as to please everyone, you can apply these tips to your own game or pass on to others.  

Starting Your Own Team  The key to a successful team is training, simple. All tactics, ethos and philosophies are taken on to the pitch from what is done on the training ground. How many of you out there have ever ran onto the pitch and remembered and applied all the tactics detailed to you during the team talk; very few at a guess. 

You must pick three simple philosophies and stick to them, the simpler the better. Gear all training sessions to accommodate those philosophies.  

For example, at my previous club, I tried to implement three simple aspects of our game that were to be applied at all times of the game; 1. Pressure on the opposition, 2. Simple passes, and 3. Superiority in the air. The first and last ideas are crucial at the lower levels of the game; few players are good enough to play under severe pressure and, as most teams play long balls and set pieces, winning every header will almost completely blunt any threat from the opposition. The passing tactic was more idealistic and not always practical but it was a way of insuring possession and good quality football.  

This gives a framework with which to work in. You can make all drills high intensity to satisfy ethos number 1, you can play all training in a confined space to encourage simple, quick passing, and you can create competitive aerial situations to improve heading (remember everyone can head the ball, it only becomes hard when there is someone challenging you). 

Try this drill:- Again passing itself is simple, and there is little point simply passing from A to B to increase your skills; you will learn best when passing under pressure in a confined space. One team will be practising passing, moving, communication and speed of thought. The other team will learn constant pressure, communication and making life as hard as possible for the opposition.  

Remember: If you are the coach, you can stop the drill when you like. Insist on no letting up, if someone isn’t trying or is not fulfilling a philosophy, stop the training immediately and pull them up. It may be difficult at the start but it will ingrain the players with the tactics and style, helping them to do it as second nature in a game situation.