The Coaching Lab: Recent Episodes
The Coaching Lab / MatchPlay Cards
We hang out with some of the coolest coaches in the best learning environments around the world to discover how they're using MatchPlay Cards to #ChangeTheGame.
Promote decisions makers and add in-game challenges to stretch and support your players to #ChangeTheGame with MatchPlay Cards. They're totally multisport! Discover the full MatchPlay Card range here: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/matchplaycards
Join the conversation across social media @The_CoachingLab
Enquiries to: info@thecoachinglab.org
- Playing out game scenarios
- Does your training really look and feel like the game?
- Developing head to toe skills in players
- Preparing players to be drafted at 18
The BEST deck of MatchPlay Cards we released yet, have you got yours yet? https://www.thecoachinglab.org/product-page/footy-matchplay-cards-single-deck
@The_CoachingLab / info@thecoachinglab.org
Alpha Gol EVENT: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/event-details/using-a-games-based-approach
Last month we spend time in CHINA at Skekou International School. We left so energised and grateful to have seen the impact of MatchPlay Cards©️ on staff and pupils.
We're heading on tour to China, Hong Kong and the UK in August and September. Get in touch to book a session now - https://www.thecoachinglab.org/about
Tag us when you next use MatchPlay Cards @The_CoachingLab
Straight back for 2024! AnyGirl Netball Founder, Daisey Cotterill inspired us so much with coaching for care, connection and confidence, inspiring young people to be the best version of themselves.
Heard the news?! We have just launched an e-book to help you get the most out of MatchPlay Cards©️, OUT NOW!
📖https://www.thecoachinglab.org/product-page/game-changer-ebook
🛒https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Use code POD5 and SAVE £5 on any MatchPlay Cards!
Last month we went to visit Gareth and Melbourne Victory FC, a chance to see inside the pre academy environment and checkout how MatchPlay Cards are being used, this week reflect on what we saw.
🛒https://www.thecoachinglab.org/coach
Portsmouth FC Head of Academy Coaching, James Barlow takes us inside youth development within academy football and how coaches are using MatchPlay Cards©️ in the Foundation Phase and selecting the right cards for the age and stage of players.
Explore our challenge cards range here: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/coach. Get in touch for our school and club bundles and SAVE BIG: info@thecoachinglab.org
Melbourne PE Teacher and grassroots football coach, Brayden lands on the podcast to share the impact of MatchPlay Cards on his environment. Use code “POD10” to save 10%. GLOBAL SHIPPING NOW: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop. Get in touch for our school and club bundles and SAVE BIG: info@thecoachinglab.orgCheckout Brayden on twitter: @BraydenVPE
German Hockey Federation U18 Girls Coach and Alster Hamburg 1. Damen Assistant Coach, Julian Tarres shares how he is using MatchPlay Cards to give player their game back. 🛒https://www.thecoachinglab.org/coach
We first met Mike Chamberlin on twitter when he loved MatchPlay Cards©️ and then they arrived at his door in America, his lessons went through the roof! We talk pupil ownership, player challenges, how to get pupils to reflect and why his K-12 students LOVE MatchPlay Cards©️. Bundles OUT NOW 🛒 https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Coming in LIVE from Trinity School in South Australia, Physed Teacher Nathanial Eldridge shares the impact of using MatchPlay Cards to give pupil ownership and develop game understanding for pupils.
Access school bundles for your department today - https://www.thecoachinglab.org/teacher
Access our SCHOOL BUNDLES today via info@thecoachinglab.org
We’ve gone international again this week, heading to Florida with football coach TeeKay. He shares stacks of to use Reflection MatchPlay Cards©️ in engaging youth players, adding player challenges with team missions and how he showcased MatchPlay Cards©️ in an interview for a new job!
Pick and play your cards here 👉🏼 https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Spaniard living the London, Alvaro Castano leads The A Academy for young people who love to play small sided games. Alvaro shares his top 3 non negotiable for coaching young people and why developing players communication is vital.
Coaches at The A Academy are using MatchPlay Cards©️to add team and player challenges. Access your deck of challenge cards here https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
"MatchPlay Cards©️ are the lifeline for coaches" 🙌🏻 Coach Matt Bambrick joins us on the podcast after kitting his assication out with decks of MatchPlay Cards©️ to help them play more games.
Want to learn more about our club packages? Get in touch today 👉🏼 info@thecoachinglab.org and https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Darren from Park Sports Project in Glasgow lands on the podcast to share how they are adding MatchPlay Cards ©️ to their small sided games and the impact on developing coaches who are great problem setters. Get your deck of challenge cards now 🛒👉🏼 https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
2023 is the year of small sided games! Louis takes us inside his training sessions with MatchPlay Cards©️, adding player challenges and secret missions to support individuals and how we can use games to create great sporting experiences.
🛒 Shop your deck of challenge cards NOW - https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
👉🏼Have us visit your environment in 2023 to support your staff and coaches, contact info@thecoachinglab.org
Former Head Coach of England Hockey U18s, and no Irish Hockey Coach, Sarah Kelleher is on the podcast this week. Sarah shares how she added in-game challenges, gave players ownership and used scenarios to prepare her team for Junior European Cup with MatchPlay Cards©️. We are so lucky to have Sarah using MatchPlay Cards©️ in her coaching!
Take 10% OFF any deck of MatchPlay Cards using the code "PODCAST" https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
The best of 2022 with our favourite learnings, best sound bites and coolest ideas to add into your training sessions.
A year of UK Tour, welcoming West Ham and Rangers FC as users of MatchPlay Cards, we’ve shipped to 45+ countries and grown our retail offering around the world to help more coaches and teachers be game changers with MatchPlay Cards.
https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Another guest from our UK TOUR, High Wycombe Director of Rugby, Mike Rugby is here to talk grassroots coaching and ways we can support coaches to add in-game challenges into training. Rugby World Cup winner Lewis Moody was one of the first to introduce Mike to MatchPlay Cards©️ with his company Mad Dog Rugby.
Get in touch for our club bundle deals via email on info@thecoachinglab.org or shop your decks right NOW: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Fresh from joining us our UK TOUR stop in Hertford, Head of Academy Performance at St Albans City FC, Anthony Golsing jumps in to share how the impact of using games as soon as players arrive, designing tournaments with MatchPlay Cards©️ and capturing learning with Reflection MatchPlay Cards©️.
Shop your deck of challenge cards now 🛒https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Need some more ideas on ways to challenge your players? This one is for you! We are joined by three awesome some teaching friends who share their experiences of using a games based approach and MatchPlay Cards©️.
Deck out your whole department with MatchPlay Cards today by exploring our school bundles: info@thecoachinglab.org or https://www.thecoachinglab.org/contact
It’s another Physed special on the podcast this week with Ben Shields, Head of Primary School PE & Sport at Harrow Bangkok. We chat about creating a values festivals with MatchPlay Cards, creating engaging instant actives for pupils to explore and how we can use games as a learning tool. You will finish this episode with LOADS of new ideas! Grab a deck of MatchPlay Cards ready for your school and club season now: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop and share your reflections across socials @The_CoachingLab. Checkout the work of Ben at @BenSheilds2 on twitter.
Live from California, Physed Teacher Stephanie is on the podcast to share ideas on small sided games, creating real learning gold in your lessons and ways to add MatchPlay Cards©️ in your games. Follow Stephanie on socials @Smsandio
Get a deck of MatchPlay Cards©️ NOW ready for the return of sport or for your whole department with our bulk bundles by emailing info@thecoachinglab.org or https://www.thecoachinglab.org/
Adam has been supporting coaches on England Handball and The FA Coach Education programmes with stacks of new ideas on how to use a games based approach. A believer in MatchPlay Cards© since they were first launch in 2019, Adam shares reflections and ways to get the most out of your challenge cards.
UK Tour dates NOW LIVE: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/events
Shop your MatchPlay Cards© now: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
@The_CoachingLab
West Ham United Academy Coach, Ross Brooks is on the podcast to chat how they are adding MatchPlay Cards into the Foundation Phase. The Academy of West Ham United F.C. is recognised as one of the most successful football academies in modern football, hence its nickname the Academy of Football. Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and more recently Declan Rice have all graduated from the famous academy.
Shop your MatchPlay Cards© now: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
@The_CoachingLab
Joined by Head of Football Dulwich Prep Sport, Sean Crane we sits down to reflect an epic morning of games with MatchPlay Cards as we supported staff to deliver a football session for their players and staff.
Designing games, setting problems and adding team and player missions with MatchPlay Cards, there is plenty of takeaways to impact your coaching.
Want us to come and support your coaches and teachers? Drop us an an email on info@thecoachinglab.org
Shop your decks of MatchPlay Cards: www.thecoachinglab.org
Shop your MatchPlay Cards© now: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
@The_CoachingLab
Current Dundee United Academy Coach and former Head of Children at Hamilton Accies FC, Matt Boyle is the on the podcast this week. A believer in a games based approach to coaching, Matt shares ideas on how he got his U11s to lead their own game day, why he adds game day challenges in for players using MatchPlay Cards and how he changes the car journey home for parents with Reflection MatchPlay Cards.
This week we are joined by Debbie Sayers of Salisbury Rovers FC, the youth football club committed to children’s rights by taking a “player centred” approach to another level. #LetThemPlay. A must listen for all those working within your sport as we explore how to create great sporting experiences, the right to be heard principles and the impact of a games programme. Using MatchPlay Cards© in their sessions to give players choice, challenge and create opportunities to co-design their own sessions. Shop your MatchPlay Cards© now: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop Find out more about the work of Sailsbury on twitter at @SalisburyRovers.
Lead Foundation Phase coach at Rangers Football Club John Lawson joins us live from the club training ground to chat academy football, coaching through games and how he is using MatchPlay Cards with players across the Foundation Phase curriculum. SHOP MATCHPLAY CARDS: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Rio 2016 Olympian, 70+ Caps for the New Zealand Black Sticks and now Talent Development Officer at North Harbour Hockey, James Coughlan OLY jumps on the podcast.
Using MatchPlay Cards to imbed a games-based approach and develop the future skills of players. Discover MatchPlay Cards here: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Share your reflections across social media @The_CoachingLab
A must listen with your notebook at the ready! Danny Fowler of DF Coaching chats on the podcast about his work at Middlesbrough Football Club and throughout the grassroots Foundation Phase as he uses games as a learning tool for players to explore their game.
- Setting team challenges
- Themed pitches and games
- The making of the best 60 minutes a week
Using MatchPlay Cards across their programmes at DF Coaching and Middlesbrough Football Club, you can SHOP YOUR CARDS HERE:
https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Middlesborough Football Club Head of Coaching, Phil Shead shares why the famed academy is renowned for player development and how the first team famously once fielded a whole starting lineup of academy graduates.
Using MatchPlay Cards across the Foundation Phase and into the Youth Development Phase, The Coaching Lab has supported Middlesborough FC coaches throughout 2021 to get the most out of a games-based approach to coaching with our MatchPlay Cards.
SHOP NOW: www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
A podcast special to wrap up 2021! Professor Stephen Harvey (Ohio University), Rus Smith (Wolverhampton University), and Paul Barry (Crystal Palace FC) join us to share tones of ideas of using games in sessions and ways to get the most out of MatchPlay Card in your sessions.
Discover your MatchPlay Cards here: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop They’re TOTALLY MULTI-SPORT and AGED 5+!
Live from The Stoop, Schools Manager at Harlequins Rugby Foundation Matt Williams is on the podcast to chat about coaching interventions and how we can be more inclusive.
Harlequins Rugby Foundation are using MatchPlay Cards across their programmes, shop the full MatchPlay Card range here: www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Jaxon Hogan; leader of awesome primary school physed experiences, lover of functional movement skills and University Western Australia Masters student exploring impactful Physical Education environments. Jaxon supported us to create our NEW Animal MatchPlay Cards! Challenging our thinking, sharing tones of ideas and ways to develop young people through play and games.
Shop the limited-edition Animal MatchPlay Cards here: www.thecoachinglab.org/product-page/animal-matchplay-cards
Paul Barry, Watford FC and former Arsenal FC Academy coach, children’s author, father and all-around champion shares tones of ideas to develop players through games, create stories of adventure and how is using MatchPlay Cards in the Foundation Phase to connect training with the demands of the game. SHOP MatchPlay Cards www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
St Davids College PE & Sport in Wales, United Kingdom are the dream team! Lovers of games, creating memorable experiences and connecting theory to practice to support every student to be the best version of themselves. See their great work on twitter at @MrLycettPE Using MatchPlay Cards across the sports department, St Davids is a cool place to be - Shop the full range here: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
Coaching, Health, & Physical Education, Professor, Dr Stephen Harvey of Ohio University connects theory to practice of MatchPlay Cards, top tips for first-time coaches and the role coaches play in building sessions that look and feel like the game.
Stephen's research is focused on teacher/coach pedagogy and practice and its influence on student/player learning. Co-author of Positive Pedagogy for Sports Coaching(2019), Advances in Rugby Coaching: An Holistic Approach(2015),and co-editor of two additional books, Ethics in Youth Sport (2012) and Contemporary Developments in Games Teaching(2014)
https://drstephenharvey.weebly.com/ / @DrStephenHarvey
Explore the MatchPlay Cards range to #ChangeTheGame at https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop
“You’re meant to hide things from your opposing players… recognise the problem and find a solution” Coach to Football Australia’s Blind and Deaf Teams on the Olympic journey for the 2024 Olympic Games, Pete Nowakowski talks secret missions, getting the players to feedback only our communication and creating stories of adventures with MatchPlay Cards. Discover MatchPlay Cards: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop Join the conversation across socials at @The_CoachingLab
A Paralympic special with Jamie Higgins, Inclusion Officer & Northampton Saints Wheelchair Rugby Coach is on the podcast to chat coaching skills, meeting players where they are, shared experiences and how Northampton Saints Rugby are using MatchPlay Cards to #ChangeTheGame. Checkout Jamie across Twitter at @Jayspersonaltrn @SaintsComm Explore MatchPlay Cards at www.thecoachinglab.org and join the conversation across social media @The_CoachingLab
Shop Animal MatchPlay Cards right here: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/product-page/animal-matchplay-cards. The NEW deck of MatchPlay Cards, shaping how players experience the game, develop their functional movement skills and interact with their peers. Joined by Oundle School Head of Hockey, Panda, we explore their impact, design principles and how coaches and teachers can get the most out of Animal MatchPlay Cards.
Limited edition and available for a limited time only!
Adding constraints to games for players to problem solve and adapt in environments that look and feel like the game with MatchPlay Cards, shop the range NOW: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/product-page/matchplay-cards
“We want to develop thinking players… they’re the ones who really are the next level” A curious thinking Irishman, games based loving coach and student of Ecological Dynamics. Supporting Gaelic Games coaches and clubs with S&C and development we explore the best question we have been asked in a long time “If we were to start youth sport again, what would we do?”
“You’re constantly asking them to solve problems, they’re having to problem solve in the moment… the power is in the cards” NCAA Field Hockey Coach at Liberty University, Alan Good shares golden nuggets of creating environments that support players to be adaptive problem-solving players, the role of the coach, weekly games programme and challenging players to think differently with MatchPlay Cards. We would love to see more environments like this! Ultimate Bundle MatchPlay Cards: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/product-page/matchplay-cards-ultimate-bundle
Champion youth coach, chaos loving, people first coach Mark Lee shares his approach to working with the new generation of youngsters.
How much time do we spend on the edge of chaos compared to the safety of clarity? Using a game-based approach and MatchPlay Cards to develop adaptive, confident and problem-solving environments that support players to the best they can be. Capturing experiences with Reflection MatchPlay Cards to check and challenge learning.
@MarkLeeFC / @PFT_Programs
Discover MatchPlay Cards: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop Join the conversation across socials at @The_CoachingLab
Horst Wein Developing Youth Football Players: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Developing-Youth-Football-Players-Horst/dp/0736069488
“My aim in life is to inspire children and adults to play hockey and love it as much as I do!!” England Hockey Coach of the Year, Angie Cottee, lover of games-based coaching, creating playful and interactive experiences as she works with 700+ youngsters every week from school to club settings. We chat about learning through play, supporting individuals to get in the game and how MatchPlay Cards are impacting having on her coaching. Resources
Discussed: Gameday Coaching blog - https://www.thecoachinglab.org/post/gameday-coaching
MatchPlay Cards - https://www.thecoachinglab.org/matchplaycards
Grahame Mansell-Grace (AKA Panda), Head of Hockey at Oundle School, UK, chats programme design, creating awesome experiences, games within games and the impact of using a games-based approach using MatchPlay Cards has had on his players and coaches.
Oundle School is a co-educational boarding and day independent school and has long been associated with the very best of modern learning environments. It is the third-largest boarding school in England after Eton and Millfield.
Discover MatchPlay Cards: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop Join the conversation across socials at @The_CoachingLab
Founder of The Coaching Lab and creator of MatchPlay Cards, Jack Rolfe takes us through the 4 psych/social principles shaping their design and the impact on coaches Turning the role of the coach from a problem solver to a problem solver and being designers of learning to develop expert decision-makers!
Discover MatchPlay Cards: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop Join the conversation across socials at @The_CoachingLab
A MatchPlay Cards Euro2020 special with UK Coaching Coach Developer of The Year, University of Wolverhampton Sports Coaching Lecturer and grassroots football champion Rus Smith's. England themed challenges, playing like Ronaldo and promoting self-challenge with world-class role models.
Discover MatchPlay Cards: https://www.thecoachinglab.org/shop Join the conversation across socials at @The_CoachingLab