SR1S143 - Football Coaching Theory to Practice 05 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 7

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SR1S143
Module Title: Football Coaching Theory to Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Football Coaching
Module Leader: Jonathan Jones
Module Team: Grant Kalahar, Jay Probert, Ben Stait, Robyn Pinder
First Intended Intake: SEP 2012 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100096 - sports development
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 7
Valid From 05 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

Deliver supporting information in order to provide a theoretical understanding of the holistic aspects involved in football coaching. This will consist of providing knowledge in relation to Long Term Player Development, coaching pedagogy, teaching games for understanding, aspects of diet and nutrition, and learning/teaching strategies required when coaching players aged 5-11 years.

Content Summary

The module will focus on the Long Term Player Development Model for football and teach aspects of Physiological, Psychological, Social, Technical and Tactical issues specific to the fundamental phase (5-11 years). Students will learn how various teaching styles and methods are applied to these age groups and to understand how to use these in various coaching situations.

The module will introduce students to a number of sub-disciplines of Coaching Science, to include the process of coaching, various learning methods, growth and development issues when coaching young children, physical conditioning and psychological preparation. In addition this module will introduce students to the numerous technical and tactical issues that include; technical drills, skill development practices, multi directional, conditioned and small-sided games appropriate to working with children 5-11 years of age.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 36
Practical classes and workshops 12
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the critical components underlying the long term player development model when dealing with players aged 5-11 years.
LO2 Plan a series of coaching sessions, demonstrating competencies (UKCC) within various aspects of practical coaching, specifically the development skills through a series of technical and skill practices and small sided games.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1 Design and submit a session plan for 8-12 players in a technical practice, leading into a skill practice and culminating in a small-sided game. 20 N/A 60 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 2 Complete MCQ's in Physical Development, Nutrition, Coaching Skills, Psychology and Social Skills. 0 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1 ✔ ✔
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 2 ✔ ✔

Reading List

ABRAHAM, A., CALE, A. & FOOTBALL, A. 2016. Advances in coach education and development: from research to practice, Abingdon, Oxon, New York, Routledge.

ABRAHAMS, D. 2012. Soccer tough: simple football psychology techniques to improve your game, Birmingham, Bennion Kearny.

ABRAHAMS, D. 2013. Soccer brain: the 4C coaching model for developing world class player mindsets and a winning football team, Birmingham, Bennion Kearny Limited.

BALYI, I., WAY, R. & HIGGS, C. 2013. Long-term athlete development, Champaign, IL, Human Kinetics.

BOYD, D. R. & BEE, H. L. 2013. The developing child, Harow, Essex, England, Pearson Education.

CASSIDY, T., JONES, R. L. & POTRAC, P. 2016. Understanding sports coaching: the pedagogical, social and cultural foundations of coaching practice, Abingdon, Oxon, New York, Routledge.

CROSS, N. & LYLE, J. 1999. The coaching process: principles and practice for sport, Oxford, Boston, Butterworth-Heinemann.

GAMBETTA, V. 1998. Coaching children. Fundamental fun. Sports Coach, 21, 25-27.

HARWOOD, C. & ANDERSON, R. 2015. Coaching psychological skills in youth football: developing the 5Cs, Oakamoor, Bennion Kearny Limited.

JONES, R. L. 2006. The sports coach as educator: reconceptualising sports coaching, New York, Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge.

KIDMAN, L. 2001. Developing decision makers: an empowerment approach to coaching, Christchurch, N.Z., Innovative Print Communications.

LEE, M. 1993. Coaching children in sport: principles and practice, London, Routledge.

LIGHTFOOT, C., COLE, M. & COLE, S. 2018. The development of children, New York, NY, Worth Publishers.

MALINA, R. M., BOUCHARD, C. & BAR-OR, O. 2004. Growth, maturation, and physical activity, Champaign, Ill, Human Kinetics.

STAFFORD, I. 2011. Coaching children in sport, London, New York, Routledge.