COACHING AND TEACHING
Mark Carter, Head CoachFrom 2003 to 2007, Mark was Director of Junior and Youth Coaching at the biggest club in New Zealand. He also coached international age-group players and coached youngsters on National Academies. Returning home in July 2007, Mark now coaches 7-9 year olds at Watford FC Academy. Mark is qualified to UEFA B level, and will be completing the FA Youth Coaches and FA Level 2 Psychology in Football in 2008.
Luke Hindes, Coach
Luke is an experienced coach of all age groups from under-8s to under-18s. He is Head Coach of the Westway Youth Academy under-13s team where he has been coaching for five years. He spent a year in the US coaching youth teams and educating coaches. Luke is currently studying for a degree in Sports Science with Professional Football Coaching at the Uni of Greenwich.
HOW DO WE TEACH?
At Ministry of Football, we do not spend a lot of time lecturing the players or giving them complicated instructions. In some activities, we believe in Letting the Game be the Teacher. This means that rather than teaching players how to do a particular turn, we set up a game or activity in which changes of directions are needed in order to be successful. This encourages players to choose for themselves how and when to turn and change direction. Our experience shows that learning which happens though players discovering for themselves lasts longer than when coaches give players the answers through repetitive and rehearsed (and boring!) technical drills. Our main method of coaching at Ministry of Football is through challenging the players with different activities and questions. During a session the coach will sometimes stop the music and ask the players what they think they are doing well, and how they could do better. The coach may ask some of the players to demonstrate to others, or be part of a demonstration themselves.
COACH DEVELOPMENT
In the same way that Ministry of Football will develop creative players, it will also help to develop coaches who are creative and innovative. The Ministry of Football programme is not rigid, and all coaches are encouraged to input into the programme and the session delivery. Coaches will work closely with one another in order to maximise their own learning and share skills, ideas and knowledge. In this way, the Ministry of Football coaching programme and skill activities (Know the Body, Know the Ball, Know the Game) will grow and expand.
All MoF coaches are CRB checked with the English FA, and have the English FA Level 1 Coaching qualification which includes Emergency Aid and Safeguarding Children training.