Soccer Brain: The 4C Coaching Model for Developing World Class Player Mindsets and a Winning Football Team PDF

I’d firstly, and most importantly, like to thank my wife Heidi.

You are, to quote a famous poet, my north, my south, my east and west (and a little more besides).

Thanks for being there, for supporting and for editing (it takes a certain skill to edit a book about soccer when it’s far from being your favourite subject area).

A big thanks to James, my publisher, without whom there would be no book to thank anyone for in the first place.Your wisdom is much appreciated.

Finally, a big thanks to Wayne Burnett who got the ball rolling, to Steve Gallen for continuing the momentum, and to all the coaches and managers I’ve worked with over the years.

You are the coach. You are the leader. You are responsible.

You stand in front of them, their eyes transfixed on you, their minds set for your instruction.

A match of significance, of high stakes. A win and your position is safe, a loss and the exit door looms.

Your words will travel with them into this game – what you say has to have impact.

You can see they are nervous, as are you. But you can’t show them that – heart rate steady, stay composed, a still rational mind is best.

Pre match simplicity: nothing new now, just reinforcement. Start with a soft voice then raise the tone – now lessen the volume as the room intensity sizzles.

Calm minds are a must, no headless chickens. Their roles and responsibilities: emphasize.

Emotional words for some, words of action for others. Then togetherness, that invisible rope that binds us.

A focus on the team – just about us, what we do, not what they do. Memory – replace fear with confidence using reminders of past successes against this team.

An emphatic win and a hard fought draw. Every second counts if they’re going to

repeat those outcomes – every second of grind, of freedom, of focus.

Time! No more talking – so easy to say too much. Now positive action. The tunnel, then pitch, then technical area.

A little instruction from the sidelines maybe, but they are on their own now. Let them fly!

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