Game-Based Practices 

This booklet contains a number of practices using ‘games’ as opposed to ‘drills’ to support the concepts of skill development and decision making in your players. The games provide players with different situations that can occur in competitive games and coaches can develop their observation skills, recognizing when & how players problem solve the varying challenges they face. Utilize the games during your practice sessions, allocating players into different positions and areas of the field in order to develop a holistic approach to player development As you and the players become accustomed to the various games try to add alternatives or additional challenges (based on the game the players play) to challenge and develop your players further. Enjoy the games!

Tony McCallum

Tony has been involved in coaching, coach education and coach development for the past 30 years, working in various levels of the game from professional club academies to the semi-professional game in both the men's and women's game in England. He holds the UEFA A License and FA Advanced Youth Award, is a UEFA tutor and until recently worked for the English FA for 13 years as their National Coach Development.