For this weeks blog, I’m going to explain about my coaching journey, specifically the coaching badges that I undertook.

The journey started in 2012, when I took my first badge – which was the old version of the FA Level 1. This was with a local association over a number of evenings and weekends, in the build up to an ‘exam’. During this assessment we were required to deliver a session with our fellow (soon to be coaches). Under the watchful eye of the coach educator we were all notified of our progress, at the end of the 2nd weekend.

For this first assessment, I was given the task of delivering a session called, ‘waves’. The emphasis was on 2 groups attacking each end of the pitch and then shooting at a GK. As most coaches will know (who have taken the course), it is pretty hard to ‘fail’ and as expected I was given the FA Level 1 certification.

The date was now 2013 and I’ve just registered for my FA Level 2 course. This wasn’t with a local association, so on this occasion, I had to ride my bike to the train station, take 2 trains and then ride again at the other end. At this moment in time, I was working full time in sales and wasn’t actually driving. So, this meant I had to book holiday and swallow the financial commitment of achieving what I wanted.

Throughout this course, I met some great people and immediately noticed the difference from the FA Level 1 course. Being the logical progression in the coaching pathway, it was obvious this would be more of a challenge and require more work.
After around 4 months, assessment day arrived and we were given the opportunity to showcase what we had learnt. For this course, I was given the topic of, ‘short passing’.

During the process on the FA Level 2, we were taught how to structure a session around our topic. The recommended guidelines of a, ‘technique’ practice first, followed by a, ‘skill’ practice, second, with a small sided game to finish – using a 4 vs 4 format.

Upon completion of a tiring weekend, we were all given the news that we had ‘passed’ and were now FA Level 2 coaches. There were a couple of, ‘red flags’, during this process, which will be explained in next weeks blog!

After going back to my club in 2013, the coaching bug really took a hold of me and I found a new love for the game. Initially this was just a hobby, but I wanted more and explored the opportunity of moving into football, full time.
This dream became true in the summer of 2013, when I started at (then conference south), Basingstoke Town.

Once the initial settling in period was over and I understood my role, I applied for the ‘prestigious’, UEFA B License. Fortunately, I was successful in this application and began this coaching course at the end of 2013. In the build up to this course, there was a huge amount of anticipation and anxiousness, due to the ‘label’ that this badge holds. Again, this meant travelling a fair distance, paying for accommodation and taking time off work, to ensure I could complete this badge.

Upon starting this course, you could again see that the expectations again were higher and we were expected to coach the ‘game’ and not the ‘session’, which we had previously done on the FA Level 1 & 2.

Throughout this course, we were assessed 3 times, in order to measure our progress against the competency levels that are required to be a UEFA qualified coach.

My first topic was, ‘coach attacking players clever movement’, which was delivered in the first, initial block. Progressing into the second block, I was given the topic of, ‘coach full backs to join the attack’.
While learning in my own environment was slow, I found the contact blocks very informative and an opportunity to test myself, under the guidance of some well respected individuals.
The 9 months of this course flew by and it was again time for an assessment. On this occasion, I was given the topic of, ‘coach a team to press, mark and cover’. From what I remember on this day, the weather was exceptionally hot (being in June) and England were taking part in World Cup 2014!

After around 20 assessments, the finish line was crossed and we were given the news on whether we were competent at UEFA B License level. The great news was that, I again passed first time and left with the qualification.

After 3 very informative years, it was now time to apply a lot of what I had learnt on my courses and explore more on, ‘how’, to coach. While the ‘what’ was largely missing on all courses, my focus on ‘how’ I did things was important to my development and progressing over the following years.

Fast forward to 2019 and after a number of failed attempts, I was finally granted the opportunity to take my UEFA A License. This was another occasion, where I had to travel and fund all of my own expenses.

This course was a lot different than previous ones and rightly so, as this was the highest coaching badge available, outside the UEFA Pro License. The years previous to this, I had been coaching at a higher level and also managing. So, upon coming into this course I was a lot more mature and understood so much more about the game, than previously in 2014 (when I passed the UEFA B License).

There was an approach used of, ‘reality based learning’, where my mentor (coach educator), would work alongside my current situation and view the footage of my team. I then had to find solutions to the ever growing list of problems, that I experienced. This was so much more beneficial than any other course I had been on, as this was ‘real life’ and my learning aligned with the course task.

During the closing stages of this course, we were unfortunately hit with the COVID – 19 pandemic, which as we know, brought it’s own life changing circumstances.
Although we had had a lot of contact during the course, the final block would be delivered online. The hours were now completed and it was time to execute our final coaching session – with mine taking place here in the UK, filmed.

After years of hard work, in learning and applying knowledge, the final hurdle was in front of me and I had the opportunity to showcase everything I know. Given that the course was reality based, I was allowed to pick my own topic, based around the current circumstances within my team. For this final piece of the puzzle, I chose to work on, ‘pressing in a high block and forcing the opponent into wide areas’.

The session itself went well and I was to merge this with my plan, that I had recently formulated, along with the evaluation following afterwards.
The long awaited email finally arrived in December 2020, saying that I had now received my UEFA A License. After such a terrible year of lockdowns and disappointment, this really made the end of the year memorable – for good reasons!

I’d now like to provide a summary of key points on my journey, in becoming a UEFA A Licensed coach, without being an ex professional footballer;

– I had to pay for ALL my coaching badges, as well covering ALL my expenses (travel, food and accommodation).
– Volunteer work started me off on my journey and was highly beneficial. Working voluntary gave me the opportunity to experience different age groups and abilities.
– I was very fortunate to get into football full time, during the early phases of my coaching journey – make as many connections as you can!
– I have had A LOT of knock backs along the way and while at times, it may seem easier to quit, try and find just one thing to give you that motivation to continue. Remember, a dream can only become reality, if you take forward steps – even if they are slow!
– Become familiar with being comfortable, in UNCOMFORTABLE situations. Without this, you won’t ever identity your incompetencies and where you need to improve.
– Take criticism and understand that ‘failure’, is an opportunity to reflect and learn further.
– I’ve coached alongside current Premier League managers and ex Champions League winners, on my coaching journey to date. One lesson I’ve learnt is – they are only human too and will make mistakes. There is some what of a level playing field, within the learning process.
– Lastly, learning never stops and although I reached my dream of achieving UEFA A License status, tomorrow is a new day – which brings with it, it’s own uncertainties. Everyday is a new opportunity to learn and improve by 1%. Who’s standing in your way from achieving this?

Although the journey looks like it’s a thousand miles away, anything is possible and it all begins with that first step. Take yours NOW!