Players "learn through the game" - one of our core beliefs - but what does it actually mean?

For us, it's simple. The best way for players to develop is by playing soccer with all of its demands technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically. 

While the weekend will always provide players with the opportunity to play the game, it's important that we create environments both in training and on game day that aligns.

What this looks like in training:

• Small-numbered and large-numbered games (Repetition without repetition)
• Representative of the game as often as possible in terms of decisions and direction
• Guiding attention of players with questions such as "What did you see?" or "What will tell you when to play forward?"
• Messy and full of mistakes to ensure players are being challenged

What it doesn't look like in training:

• Long lines 
• Isolated passing or shooting drills
• No opponents or ways to score

Perhaps more important than what it looks like is why we train this way. Soccer is a game of decisions and how players make decisions depends on how they interact with the multitude of constraints present. Whether they're right or left footed, if the field is bumpy or flat, where opponents and teammates are, where they are in relation the the field, and how the ball arrives to them are just a few.

These decisions can't be scripted as no situation is exactly the same, and as humans, we're not even capable of producing the exact same solution - meaning we'll never play exactly the same pass or take the exact same first touch.

Our training exposes players to these types of constraints that will be present in the game to guide them towards perceiving their surroundings and acting accordingly. This helps players to become creative and adaptable rather than simply compliant.

When we allow players to "learn through the game", we allow them to not fear mistakes, solve problems independently and collaboratively, and most importantly, enjoy the game.