A perfect example of this tension can be seen in the debate among football coaches about the efficacy of traditional drills versus the modern focus on small-sided games. Advocates of the latter often argue that all football drills are outdated and ineffective. They claim that players can learn everything they need through real-game scenarios, where decisions must be made under pressure. While this perspective has its merits, dismissing all drills overlooks the potential benefits of a middle ground, where both approaches can coexist and contribute to a player’s development.

Take, for instance, the most basic form of a football drill: a single player kicking a ball against a wall. This simple exercise teaches crucial skills—technique, ball control, touch, and eye-foot coordination. There’s no denying the benefits of such repetition, whether it’s juggling a ball, chipping it into a bin, or navigating through cones. These foundational activities are often labeled as “boring” or “not enjoyable,” especially when framed as coach-guided practice focused solely on weaknesses. Yet, the definition of what is “fun” varies from participant to participant. If players are engaged and thinking about what they are doing—if they are solving problems in their practice—then these repetitive actions can be rewarding.

Critics of traditional drills often advocate for small-sided games as the ultimate teaching tool. Yes, these games can effectively force players to make decisions in real time, but this argument often overlooks the context of the player. Many advocates focus their teaching on players who are already competent in the basic skills of receiving and passing the ball. They often ignore beginners—whether they are children or adults—who still need to build foundational skills through focused, repetitive practice. For these players, drills provide the necessary repetition and structure to develop their understanding and execution of essential techniques.

Even at the highest levels of football, you can find players who struggle with basic skills. Many professional athletes can only receive the ball with their dominant foot, which limits their effectiveness in various game situations. Drills can help players develop their weaker foot, improve their receiving skills, and learn how to position themselves appropriately—all without the pressure of an active game. These micro-lessons are crucial for developing a player’s overall competence and adaptability.

As Mark White emphasizes in his interviews, football is filled with micro-lessons that build upon one another. It starts with mastering basic skills like ball control and passing. From this foundation, players can begin to learn how to pass and move under pressure, all while making decisions in real-time. The problem arises when the discourse around coaching becomes overly dogmatic, with certain coaching philosophies imposed without consideration for the individual needs of players. This trend often involves taking quotes or ideas out of context to support a narrative, typically one that serves a specific agenda or sells a product.

The idea that football drills are entirely obsolete is a dangerous oversimplification. While no one advocates for outdated practices—like 20 players standing in a line kicking the ball to a lone player at the other end—there are countless ways to design drills that teach real, game-relevant movements while focusing on the fundamentals of biomechanics and muscle memory. Coaches should remain open-minded, finding what works best for each individual player in the moment.

In conclusion, the debate between drills and small-sided games should not be framed as an either/or proposition. Both approaches offer significant value depending on the player’s level and the skills being taught. The real problem lies in the stubbornness of individuals who cling too tightly to their opinions, ignoring the rich middle ground where both traditional drills and game-like scenarios can coexist and complement one another. Only by embracing this balance can we foster a more effective and holistic approach to developing well-rounded football players.

If you want to explore this further, I recommend the discussion on Dan Abrahams podcast “The Sport Psych Show” here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/308-johnny-gorman-reflections-on-being-released/id1434313037?i=1000678115259

Success is the ongoing pursuit of meaningful, well-defined goals. According to Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory, setting clear, specific, and challenging goals greatly increases motivation and performance. So, how do we effectively set and achieve our goals? Start by working backwards.

1. Define Your Ultimate Goal: Begin with your overall aim—whether it’s winning a football match or mastering a skill. In football, the ultimate goal is simple: score more than your opponent. But to do that, you need a plan. Locke’s theory emphasizes that goals should be specific and challenging but achievable. A vague goal like “play better” won’t help much. Instead, aim for “improve ball control to reduce turnovers.”

2. Break it Down into Smaller Goals: Once you know your ultimate goal, break it down into smaller, more specific goals. This approach aligns with Locke’s theory, which stresses that setting smaller sub-goals helps maintain focus and motivation. For instance, if your ultimate goal is to win the game, smaller objectives might include:

• Learning how to create scoring opportunities
• Perfecting your shooting technique
• Developing strategies to regain possession
• Practicing defensive tactics to stop your opponent

Each smaller goal contributes to the larger goal, giving you clear, actionable steps to follow.

3. Increase Commitment Through Challenge: Locke’s theory highlights that the more challenging the goal, the more effort and commitment it inspires. For example, when you focus on something specific like “improve accuracy in shooting with your weaker foot,” you’re challenging yourself, which increases your investment in reaching that goal. Make sure your goals stretch your abilities without being unrealistic.

4. Use Feedback to Adjust: Another crucial part of Locke’s theory is the importance of feedback. Regularly check your progress on each small goal. Are you mastering your defensive positioning? Are you consistently creating goal-scoring chances? Feedback from a coach or self-assessment helps you adjust and stay on track. Coaches can help you prioritize and refine your goals, making sure you’re always moving toward your larger objective.

5. Write it Down for Clarity: Locke also notes that writing down your goals enhances commitment. When you see your goals on paper, you visualize them and stay focused. This helps to maintain motivation as you work through each stage of the process.

By breaking your ultimate goal into manageable steps and following Locke’s principles of specific, challenging goals with regular feedback, you’re more likely to stay motivated and achieve your desired outcome.

In football and life, success is about clarity, consistency, and progression. Whether you’re on the pitch or pursuing personal growth, setting clear, well-defined goals will keep you moving forward toward your bigger dreams.

Here’s a useful tip: Do not tell unnecessary people your goals, tell only people who will encourage you to commit to the goals you set out to achieve.  (see the video below)

After each activity, or during intervals, I often tell my players to “go and get a drink.” Surprisingly, some of them respond, “I don’t need a drink!”

When I hear that, it signals to me that they might not fully understand the importance of hydration for peak performance (understandable for little ones, but it’s important still to teach them). Staying hydrated isn’t just a break—it’s a vital part of performing at your best. It’s about ensuring that you’re always ready to give 100%, rather than settling for less. In Hong Kong temperatures, dehydration in it’s worst case could even be fatal.

Sometimes, I think some of my players, regardless of age, believe that these hydration breaks are just for me to set up the next drill. So, I want to clear that up, with some information from Peak Performance and sports medicine experts.

Here’s why hydration is so important for athletes:

When we play or train, we aim to perform at the highest level. If we allow our performance to drop, we’re not improving at the best possible rate. Even mild dehydration can have significant physiological effects. For example, losing just 2% of your body weight (around 1kg for a 50kg person) can make everything feel harder and reduce performance by 10-20%. Losing 3-5% of body weight in fluid affects aerobic performance, reaction time, judgment, and decision-making—all crucial skills for footballers at their peak.

Essential Rules of Hydration from Peak Performance:

1. Start hydrated: Drink 10-12 ounces of water before you begin exercise to kick-start the process. It may feel like a lot, but practice makes it easier.
2. Stay hydrated during exercise: Aim to drink 3-4 sips every 10 minutes or 5-6 sips every 15 minutes to keep your body functioning at its best.
3. Water is sufficient for short sessions: If you’re exercising for less than 60 minutes, plain water will do the job. Longer efforts may need a carbohydrate boost.
4. For longer activities, aim for 5-7% carbohydrate in your drinks. You can mix this yourself by adding five tablespoons of sugar and a small pinch of salt to a liter of water.
5. Don’t be fooled by expensive sports drinks: A 6% sugar solution is just as effective as fancier options.
6. Temperature of the drink: Cold drinks aren’t absorbed faster than warm ones, but they often feel more refreshing, making it easier to stay hydrated.
7. Drinking doesn’t cause stomach problems: In fact, dehydration is what causes discomfort during exercise, so keep drinking!

What Happens Without Proper Hydration?

When you exercise, your body generates heat. To prevent overheating, your body cools down through sweat. But if you don’t replace the fluids lost through sweating, your blood volume decreases, leading to dehydration. This makes your heart work harder, increases your body temperature, and can lead to serious issues like heat stress, collapse, or even more severe consequences.

So now you know why I always say, “Go and get a drink!” It’s not just a break—it’s a crucial step in staying sharp and performing your best.

A Meeting of Minds

Back in the summer of 2011, I had the privilege of visiting the Standard Liege Academy, where I engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Michel about his philosophies, techniques, and concepts. One of the key aspects we explored was the comprehensive evaluation process that each player undergoes to assess their athletic performance.

Bruyninckx referenced a book detailing over 200 different evaluations, ranging from standing jumps to lung capacity measurements. While it’s impractical for every young athlete in the Total Soccer Schools system to undergo all these evaluations, implementing a core selection could provide significant benefits.

For instance, Michel shared a remarkable case of a predominantly right-footed player whose posture revealed a muscular imbalance. Through targeted training, this player became proficient with both feet, making it nearly impossible for observers to determine his dominant side. The implications are profound: a well-rounded skill set not only enhances adaptability on the pitch but also reduces the risk of injury by addressing physical compensations.

The Academy Experience

The facilities at the Standard Liege Academy were truly remarkable, providing on-campus schooling and accommodation for all players. It was heartwarming to see the respect the young athletes showed Michel, greeting him warmly as they passed. This reflects the positive culture fostered within the Academy, where players from prestigious clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan had come to develop their skills under Bruyninckx’s guidance.

Since then, Michel’s experience has extended beyond Liege; he was instrumental in establishing the Aspire Academy in Doha, where he reshaped training programs to emphasize cognitive development alongside technical skills.

The CogiTraining Method

At the heart of Bruyninckx’s approach is his CogiTraining methodology, which integrates cognitive tasks into football drills. This method is rooted in the understanding that football is fundamentally a game of the brain. By incorporating mental and sensory challenges, players enhance their attention, memory, and reaction times—skills critical for success on the field.

Bruyninckx’s training fosters neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, thereby improving both mental and physical agility. His sessions often challenge players to multitask or solve problems while executing football drills, sharpening their decision-making skills under pressure.

Focus on Youth Development

Michel Bruyninckx’s influence is particularly noteworthy in youth development. He advocates for a training philosophy that prioritizes long-term cognitive growth over immediate results. This forward-thinking approach prepares young athletes for the demands of higher levels of play, ensuring they develop not just as players, but as intelligent decision-makers on the field.

Education and Holistic Development

Beyond football, Bruyninckx emphasizes the importance of education. He believes that cultivating cognitive skills both on and off the pitch is essential for holistic player development. This philosophy aligns with modern coaching trends that recognize the value of nurturing well-rounded athletes.

A Lasting Impact

Michel Bruyninckx’s methods are gaining recognition globally, influencing academies and clubs that seek to develop smarter, more aware players. His focus on brain training in sports performance is reshaping how coaches approach player development (hence this website), making him a significant figure in contemporary football coaching.

Reflecting on my visit to the Standard Liège Academy and my conversations with Michel, I left with my theories reinforced, while also feeling inspired and enlightened. His insights transformed my understanding of coaching, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from one of football’s leading innovators.

As football continues to evolve, the integration of cognitive training and neuroscience will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of players. Keep an eye on Bruyninckx’s work; he is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of football development.