Changing coach behaviour and practice in English youth football

My research and knowledge exchange on “Changing coach behaviour and practice in English youth football” examines how coaches work, how they learn, and how professional development can support meaningful changes in their everyday practice. Through sustained collaboration with the Football Association (FA) and Wigan Athletic Football Club, I connect academic research with coach education and academy coaching to improve the learning environments provided for young footballers.

The research underpinning this work examines coaches’ instruction, feedback, questioning, use of silence and practice design. It combines systematic observation with interviews and video-supported reflection to explore both what coaches do and the thinking behind their decisions. For example, my collaborative longitudinal research followed five professional youth football coaches over three seasons. It found reductions in instruction and feedback, increased periods of observation without intervention, and increased questioning among four of the five coaches. Video-supported reflective conversations helped coaches recognise their existing habits, challenge assumptions and make changes to their practice. Research on video feedback and behaviour change.

My work with the Football Association brings together research into coach developers’ learning and the practical delivery of coach education. With colleagues, I evaluated the Postgraduate Certificate in Coach Development for two cohorts comprising 23 members of the FA’s Grassroots Delivery Workforce. The evaluation examined how the programme supported participants to critically review their practice, develop their understanding of coach learning and education, and undertake enquiries relevant to their professional work. The resulting research showed the value of helping coach developers examine the relationship between their stated beliefs and what they actually do, and reconsider their approaches to supporting coaches. FA programme evaluation; coach developer research.

This work received the International Council of Coaching Excellence Outstanding Article Award in 2023. Alongside my research, my role as an FA Coach Developer delivering UEFA C, UEFA B and FutureFit provides an ongoing route for knowledge exchange, connecting research and practical experience with coaches’ professional learning. Award record; professional profile.

At Wigan Athletic, my role as Research and Coach Support lead, alongside my academy coaching experience, has supported a sustained partnership between the club and Edge Hill University. I have designed a Coach Development Programme that applies research to the specific demands of academy football. The programme uses ongoing observation and review to support coaches’ interactions with players, session design and professional development, while providing evidence for internal quality assurance and the Elite Player Performance Plan audit process. The Academy Manager has reported improvements in the clarity, consistency and purpose of coaches’ practice and in the academy learning environment. Wigan Athletic Coach Development Programme.

The Wigan partnership also supports knowledge exchange through student placements, postgraduate research and graduate employment. It enables the club to draw on academic expertise while giving students opportunities to develop their skills within professional football. This sustained involvement connects questions arising in coaching practice with research and education, supporting continued development across the academy and university. Edge Hill–Wigan Athletic partnership.