Patterns

My experiences in the game have been diverse, enriching and often taken me outside my comfort zone. As I’ve moved through my journey, I have been grounded by my core values of integrity, trust and belonging – that’s what football is about to me. Sometimes under the most intense pressure when you sit in the hotseat, winning brings relief rather than joy, and so, for me, in my footballing environments having fun, highlighting achievement and, of course, scoring goals are the best source of joy.

At Burnley Women we strived to build a technically proficient team, which meant we often controlled the ball, dominated possession and played our game in the opponent’s half. In the first season our in-possession average was 51% and season two rose to 65%; both our game model and weekly structure would mirror this. I haven’t always worked this way, but at Burnley we spent 75% of our focus on us and our in-possession play and 25% on our opponent and our out-of-possession structure.

I had a clear game model which was centred on being “all about the ball”, using the ball with intent, winning it back as early as possible and having control, which was embedded within our culture by design. We had a shared language, which meant what we called the Burnley Women DNA could be pulled through into MDT working processes, analysis, session design and how we worked with players. The game model for our in-possession play was based on positioning on the pitch, not positions; it was dynamic and we coached using both a set of principles and patterns of play. The principles and patterns were fundamental to how we played; we were well-known for playing an exciting style of football, scoring big goals and being relentless with our energy. 

As the programme evolved, more and more teams would set up in low block scenarios, and this session meant we could specialise in preparing the patterns, pictures and principles we would need each week to beat the low block. My general coaching methodology is based on practice design mirroring the real game, as much transition, two teams, direction, pressure, goals etc as possible. 

This session is about preparing and delivering on the game plan, introducing the key patterns and principles for the week, and creating contextual repetition and simplicity while being grounded and supported by the physical weekly recommendations. Within our weekly football structure our MD+2 was smaller distances, more technical with a higher number of modifications to manage. MD-2 would be focused on our game plan, MD-1 would be revisiting important game plan objectives, whilst focusing on high intensity competition. This session was a core part of our MD -/+ 3 routine which was our DNA/principle-focused day.

Players enjoy the game-like design, and ability to transfer the thinking or pictures to the fixture at the weekend. In the tactical rondo component they enjoy the small-sided competitive nature of the practice, and in the DNA Rondo, it’s intense, fast and competitive, and players enjoy and celebrate goals, combinations and patterns. Players enjoy the high ball rolling time, the way each practice mirrors a game, and the aspects of competition that’s built into each component. These were all core practices that we would do weekly, or bi-weekly, meaning that players spent time working on their game, their development or the plan rather than time ‘learning the practice’.

I’ve found being the coach in a session is like being the conductor of an orchestra. It’s my job to make sure the transitions are sharp, every phase is set up, the space to player ratio is on point so you’re not adjusting mid-session. Staff know the session, their role, their coaching points or priorities; we all have to be clear and aligned before to ensure we maximise every moment we have on the grass together. Now, in my experience that’s what makes everyone tick: it creates energy which you can feel, which energises others, and you can see this in quality, behaviour and actions in the sessions. Players thrive when the sessions are intense and the ball has restarts that are sharp but real with variety. For example, if you’re playing against a long, direct team that are going to put you under real direct vertical pressure, then design a structured start that mirrors this.

Then I’ve found when players understand the vision, their role and responsibilities on the grass and how they contribute to the team, that’s what makes them tick - when they’re getting success, when they’re being challenged, when their team-mates are making them work harder to fight for their place in the starting 11. What gets smiles on faces is how we connect with each other, conversations, praise, expectations, challenges, coaching, supporting, giving them time, showing you care about them, their journey in the game and you want to help them to be the best version of them.

These are my in-possession principles and patterns of play which I would share and use as key reference points with staff and players.

This is an image of my shooting zone priorities, I would work on the SZP in the finishing rondo specifically, these would be tailored to players’ IDP areas of work. For example, player X might need to work on crossing delivery, player Z might need to work on being a full-back in the half-space and player A might need to work on first touch with type of finish in the box.