Over the last few blogs, I’ve detailed my journey in reaching UEFA A License status, as well as some learnings that I hope can help coaches in future.

Outside of the football association’s, there are plenty of alternative educational platforms that you could utilise. While the market is liquidated and offers a lot of subjective opinions, there are some good organisations available. While I haven’t experienced available, I have tried a number of different tools to further my learning.

The thoughts below are just merely that and are by no means, factual. Every coach will gain different experiences from what they take part in and take from the course

Statsbomb

This organisation offered a ‘one – off’ set piece course, that had huge benefits on my work previously. There was detailed insights into what a set piece is and how you may wish to use them. Previously, I hadn’t focused as much as I do now on them and I’m sure why. This course opened up my eyes massively, to an undervalued part of the game.

MBP School of Coaches

The MBP school work out of Barcelona in Spain and offer residential courses, as well as online options. Being in the UK, I haven’t yet been able to visit the headquarters in Spain, but have undertaken an online course. There are a number of topics available for you to study and on this occasion, I opted for, ‘Scouting and analysing the opponent’. This was hugely beneficial and taught me many tools that I can use, while observing the game.

LMA School of Football Management

Again, this was an online option that was available a number of years ago. While there were many lessons to be learnt, I found the course slightly outdated. The topic around culture, is widely accessible on the market, with many fine examples from a variety of disciplines across the world. While the LMA as a governing body provides many opportunities for higher level coaches, this option is available to all, so could be worth pursuing to further your learning.

Football Coach Evolution

Since 2016 I’ve been a regular delegate on the FC Evolution pathway, that’s hosted by world renowned coach educator, Raymond Verhejien. Being on these courses has put me right out of my comfort zone, since the first second I attended. Along this process, I’ve taken part in projects shaped around football periodisation, training session methodology and the coach action process. The learning is some what different, than that of the ‘traditional’ coaching courses with a ‘bar’ set extremely high. If you’re unable to contribute or find the challenge too much, you will be offered guidance and shown the mirror (your incompetences). Some have the impression that the coach educator is very ‘strict’ or ‘opinionated’, which isn’t the case. He has helped me hugely in the past few years and assisted me in my development.

Ultimately, you can participate in courses, for your whole coaching career, if you so desire. But, being on the grass and getting your hands ‘dirty’ will help you the most. Using all the theoretical guidance that you are offered, in an objective way, will help you understand the game further. If you have a clearer understanding, you could possibly then be able to coach the game better.

Although reaching the UEFA A License level, is the pinnacle for some, learning never stops and I’m a firm believer that it is impossible to know everything (despite what some say!)
Look at what’s available to you and give you that different value in your journey, to reach your goals!