In total over 130 coaches from across the county were present to watch Roeder put the club’s academy players through their paces, on what was a bitterly cold night!
After impressing the many bystanders with the delivery of his sessions, and then happily answering questions from those in attendance, Glenn spoke to NorfolkFA.com about all things coaching…
NCFA: Glenn, you’ve delivered some interesting sessions this evening, can you outline what you’ve been looking to achieve?
GR: We had a couple of practises this evening. The first was a phase of play, working into the one goal, and focused on working on defending deep. I wanted to get two things out of it. Firstly, to get the back four working together, sliding back and forth across the pitch as a unit and playing narrow to avoid leaving great big gaps between each of them. Secondly, I encouraged the central midfield players to front shield and, if possible, stop the ball being played in to the front two. If this wasn’t possible, we worked on them trying to nick the ball from the feet of the striker once it had been played in.
The second was a practice aiming to encourage positive attitudes towards shooting, because you have to have belief when shooting opportunities arise. We looked at the various shooting techniques and using the different surfaces of the foot. We also looked at shooting with both feet, which is very important for me as a coach. If the ball arrives on your weaker foot, still take the shot. Players should be encouraged to work on their weaker foot rather than running around the ball to bring it back onto their stronger foot. The message was don’t be just a one footed player - we see too many of those even at our level in the professional game.
NCFA: You’ve fielded plenty questions from the many Coaches Association members in attendance tonight. In your view, how important is it for coaches, at every level of the game, to learn and put in place best practice, so that so ultimately we develop better players?
GR: It’s very important. I’m a supporter of developing good relationships with local coaches, working at what’s deemed as at the grassroots level, and for the academy coaches to pass on their knowledge. Look at the sessions being delivering by others, take them away and use them yourselves.
However, as I said to the coaches this evening, don’t be afraid of also trying things out yourselves. Everyone sees football in a different way - there’s no right and wrong answer. Try new things with your group of players and if it doesn’t go quite how you want, adjust the practice until you get it just right. I would like there to be a good rapport between the club and local coaches, and as I said this evening, in the future I’m sure we can look to arrange for coaches to visit the academy and see what’s going on.
NCFA: There are now very advanced systems being utilised in the professional game, with programmes such as pro-zone being used to monitor every aspect of a player’s performance. How much do you think coaching, and coach education, has changed for those working at a more basic level at football’s grassroots?
GR: I think there’s a greater knowledge throughout the coaches working in the game. The courses run by The FA are good and worth taking. I think the one thing The FA has done is slightly change in their approach to these coaching courses. From my experience, when they give you a topic to work on, you can basically do things how you want to, as long as you can prove it works. Obviously you’re not going to do things that are ridiculous and that won’t work, but they are perhaps more open to new ideas, which of course encourages coaches to take the courses.
The other thing I would say is practice, practice, practice. The more you can practice and get used to hearing the sound of your own voice when you’ve got everyone’s attention, the better. This becomes easier the more you practice it.
NCFA: This evening there was a real sense of enthusiasm when you were delivering your sessions and then speaking about your coaching experiences. As a manager in the professional game, one can imagine the various other responsibilities that fall on your shoulders. However, do you still take the most enjoyment from getting out onto the training pitch and working directly with your players?
GR: Yes, without doubt. I love getting out onto the grass and working with the players, just as we have done so this evening. It was so disappointing to lose at Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday, when we were so dominant in the first half we did at times outclass them. To then have such a turnaround in the second half, when we didn’t look like the same team, was hugely frustrating and completely spoilt the weekend.
But, as a coach, you have to pick yourself up. I think it was Alan Ball who said that it’s the job of the manager and coaches to pick the players up, but who then picks up the manager and coaches? The answer is that we all, as coaches, have to pick ourselves up and display a positive attitude. We are fortunate to have a good backroom staff here at the club and we’re pretty good at picking each other up. It’s important to have a very positive attitude and we’ve been back out on the training pitch since the game, working with the players. They’ve been working hard, working seriously, but with a smile on their faces.
For information on future Coaches Association sessions, please contact Kate Dixon at County FA Headquarters on 01603 704050 or email Kate.Dixon@NorfolkFA.com.