Players want to play

Every player in a football team joins because they want to play football.

They come to training because they want to run around, kick a ball, forget their troubles, laugh with their friends and compete to try to win.

A beautiful way of destroying the vibe in your team is by not playing football at training.

I know you want to impart your tactical wisdom, and implement the intricacies a perfect double-pivot in a 4-2-3-1. I know you want to spend 30 minutes in a session to refine a specific corner idea you have. But amateur football is inherently restrictive, and your time is limited.

Taking away the joy of playing, even for a single session, is rarely worth it.

Think of your fringe player who only played 15 minutes off the bench the previous game. Do you think they want to stand around, wasting a third of the session listening to tactical advice or clearing headers on set pieces?

No, they want to play football.

They want to have the ball and be creative. They want to try and score a goal. They want to pass, and shoot and tackle. To try a step-over or a nutmeg and feel like they're little kids again. They want to feel the beauty and flow of the game.

Pep Guardiola says 'The game is the best teacher. You learn from playing'.