Neil ConnorInsights
Ideas From The Work.
Articles and reflections across football development.
From Ideas To Delivery
Explore The Leadership Case Studies.
See academy development, coach-development systems and financial planning alongside the thinking discussed in these articles.
View Case Studies ↗Development, examined from every angle.
43 articles · page 1 of 5
Keep the problem. Change one thing.
Adapt the practice. Keep the decision clear. Review what changes for the players.
Read article 01Controlled Chaos: positional freedom and shared responsibility
My first-draft game model connects positional freedom with shared responsibility, using GO, HOLD and RECONNECT decisions.
Read article 02A player’s answer needs a next step
Ask a specific question, agree a practical response and return to the players to examine what changed.
Read article 03Before you stop the practice: step in or let it play?
Before stopping a practice, identify the problem, choose a response and decide what would show that it helped.
Read article 04Breaking Pressure Is Not the Same as Progressing
A forward pass may break pressure, but genuine progression depends on what the team recognises and does next.
Read article 05Carousel Coaching: Efficient or Effective?
Carousel coaching can organise space, staff and players efficiently. But does the learning travel with the players, or restart at every station?
Read article 06Why Repeating Drills Is Not the Same as Improving
In many player development environments, repetition is often viewed as the foundation of improvement. Players repeat passes, patterns, and movements with the intention of building consistency. Sessions are structured…
Read article 07What Actually Defines You as a Coach
In coaching, there is often a focus on what is delivered. Sessions are planned, practices are structured, and activities are designed with clear objectives. From the outside, this becomes the most visible part of…
Read article 08What the Perception & Action Podcast Gets Right About Coaching
In coaching, there is no shortage of content. Books, courses, and podcasts are widely available, each offering different perspectives on how players learn and perform. However, the value of these resources is not simply…
Read article 09