Osku Partonen is another soccer coach and educator based in Finland who I've only came across recently, but I like how he's constantly connecting his content to how he sees the game that allows the reader to do the same and then replicate with their own philosophy.
TEAM
Stay brave...Show personality...Take responsibility every time...Play with courage when it’s hard...Solve problems under pressure...Recover fast when things go wrong...Step up in big moments without fear...Lead with energy, confidence and clarity...Never stop until the final whistle blows
SIMPLE COACHING
Pick 3 clear principles and commit to them x 4 – 6 weeks...#1 x Forward Mentality x attack with intent with speed x small sided games scoring within 6secs = 2 goals...#2 x Active Defending x press/recover/react by all players x small sided games counting counter attack goals only...#3 x Transition Awareness x win possession/attack v loss possession/defend x small sided games getting ball in forward half or score within 3secs
COACHING PRINCIPLES
2 – 3 at a time…Principles need repetition, time and focus so work in phases…Phase 1 x 4 – 6 weeks x build the foundation x forward mentality, active defending, transition awareness shaping behaviour when we win/lose possession…Phase 2 x 4 – 6 weeks x add more ball responsibility x bravery on the ball, technique at speed, off the ball movement to challenge technique at game speed, demand movement after the pass, rewarding brave decisions, making mistakes…Phase 3 x 4 – 6 weeks x balance of individual/team, courage/competition edge, clear desire to score/win to teach taking responsibility, when to serve the team, how to compete properly and how to play to win
CREATING VISION via KPI's
Pick 1 principle then build 2 – 3 KPI’s to track it in games...Transition Awareness x opposition shots within 8secs of regaining possession, number of forward possession when we regain possession, total number of forward runs even if not used...Active Defending x numbers of pressures after lost ball, how many players react immediately, clean touches under pressure
COACHING
Be honest/demanding...Explain the why behind everything...Representing learning design...Decision making not just drills...Feedback that actually helps...Challenge players to solve problems...Stay calm when others lose control...Coach people, not just footballers
ACTIVE DEFENDING
Increases session intensity, tempo, intent...Ball carrier has less time = improved control, quicker decision making + teammates must respond/react/support faster...Everyone is active all the time...You’ll spot technical weakness faster as cognitive load/dual tasking becomes a factor...Pressure moments, reactions under stress, competition repetitions, game tempo
OUTCOMES OVER EFFORT
Under 9 – 13...Development happens when players learn to create outcomes with the ball...Use principles over rigid instructions to guide behaviour x look to play forward 1st, take risks in 1v1’s or press as soon as we lose the ball...The principle gives the direction, the outcome is the target and the player chooses the tool...You want players who can problem solve in different ways and confidence to try again after mistakes
5 W's of ACTIVITY DESIGN
Until you name it, you can't address it...What goes wrong x we lose the ball under pressure and players don’t offer support with no runs from behind...Where does it happen x pinpoint where on the ground and train it there as context shapes decision making...Who is involved x which line/s + design the player roles for that situation...When does it occur x which phase of play where timing shapes the constraints of the drill...Which elements are missing x which behaviours are we not seeing (forward mentality, transition awareness, off ball movement)
YOUTH COACHING
Short term wins can come from short cuts x relying on 1 fast player, outmuscling opposition etc and doesn't prepare them for the level up in most cases...Coach habits that will transfer to the next level x forward mentality, bravery on the ball, active defending, technique at speed, transition awareness of ball changes, balance of individual/team, courage/competition edge, off ball movement, desire to score/win
BUILD DEFENSE 1st
Where you win the ball decides where your next chance comes from
PLAYERS
If they don’t recognise patterns/triggers then scanning is head movement with no purpose
SESSION DESIGN
Don’t change the training activity, use progressions…1 activity set up/multiple challenges…Don’t change the training activity, raise the demand…Same exercise/higher standards…You’re not chasing new, you’re chasing faster decision making, cleaner execution and stronger reaction…Space x smaller/quicker decision making + bigger/more running…Numbers x add/remove a defender/support…Time x touch limits/defender starting position/s…Coaching language stays the same – new demands/same cues…Avoid random tweaks that confuse learning
MOVING DURING GAMES
Moving without intention doesn’t help anyone so simply shouting it from the sidelines needs to go…Good football isn’t about constant movement, it’s about timed/purposeful movement…When players move all the time then they often drift into bad spaces, move away from the ball at the wrong time, clog passing lanes, arrive too early or lose their positional advantage…They’re active but not effective…Movement only has value if it creates space for teammate, opens passing lanes, drags a defender, attacks space at the right time or supports the ball with correct distance…Sometimes the smartest movement is no movement as staying still can hold a defender, keep a passing lane open, invite pressure, create space somewhere else or prepare a better next action…Move to create space/stay to hold it, move when the ball arrives etc > keep moving…Football rewards timing, not mileage so teach players why to move, when to move and when not to move
PRINCIPLES
A principle represents how you want your players to consistently behave…Tactical/opposition/formations change every week but principles remain stable when everything else moves providing direction throughout chaos…They guide session design, shape coaching language, help players decision making and keeps teams aligned…Forward mentality, bravery on the ball, active defending, technique at speed, transition awareness, balance of individual/team, courage/competition edge, off ball movement and clear desire to score/win…They’re all behaviours…They turn chaos into clarity…Help answer what do we stand for, what do we repeat, want do we accept and what we don't
YOUTH
Don’t need any tactics prior to 14yrs old…Master the ball/technique via lots of touches, both feet, confidence to receive/drib/pass/finish…Learn the basics such as simple decisions, 1v1/2v1/2v2, when to pass/dribble/shoot…Movement coordination x running, stopping, turning, change of direction, using the body x balance, speed, confidence in movement, injury resistance…Character development via try again after mistakes, compete properly, respect teammates/opposition, take responsibility
DECISION MAKING
Comes from clear tactics/principles, not telling them what to do…Define the tactic (build from the back, press high, attack with width) to give a clear direction…Every situation is different and a tactic alone can’t tell players what to do in every moment so then you need principles so they can read the situation, make decisions and act without waiting for instructions…Tactic x where we want to go + principles x how players behave on the way…Tactic x build from the back using forward mentality where they need to stay brave, scan forward, try to break lines, avoid hiding or only playing safe passes…Ask questions such as can you go forward here, what do you see next and then the player decides
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