I discovered game models about 4 years ago as my transition from playing to coaching began to really take shape and I’ve been a big fan of them ever since.
I usd the term game model over game plan because I belive a game model is vastly different from what a game plan is thought to be – especially in football circles.
Game plans usually revolve around specific ball movement, which is part of the game model, and midfeild set ups which is going with ther what you want to happen mantra versus the what does happen mantra that I follow.
Definitely train for what you want to happen but I belive it’sbuilt off of your foundation of already being extremely efficient with dealing with what does happen, not the other way around.
For example all local football clubs love training drills to look clean and pretty with predictable training drills which is great and all but it’s not a true reflection of what happens in agame which is messy and unpredictable.
I like to use game models to show foundation-based aspects of football that all players can perform, regardless of talent level, and as long as they put the time in to memorise the game model and are then disciplined enough to carry it out on game day, they’ll be solid contributors to your team each and every week whether they touch the ball 20 times or 5 times.
The different points I’ve highlighted here is from a game model I developed about a year and half ago and with football trends, and rules, changing pretty much every year at this point it’s not based on what I would do right now and also every team’s game model will be specific to them in regards to player personel, coaching beliefs, culture, ground size etc, so feel free to delete and add in what you feel is best into your own game modelfor best results.
Once you’ve completed your game model then feel free to send me a copy and I can take a look at it and see if it could be improved upon or maybe just to challenge a few things just make sure it’s rock solid because once it’s done you don’t want to be shifting the goal posts on your players or they’ll be in a constant state of confucison which is the total opposite of why a game model is developed in the first place.
There’s a few moving parts in all of this but it all ties in nicely at the end so strap yourself in!
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