Sunday 30 December 2012

Manisha Tailor - Teacher & Football Coach.

Our first "guest" contribution to the No Clash Of Colours site.

Manisha Tailor is a 32 yr old Primary School Teacher and Part-Time Football Coach from London. A volunteer with the London FA, Middlesex FA and the LPFF (London Playing Fields Foundation). She is also an Ambassador for the FA's "Football Needs You" campaign.

Manisha is an Arsenal supporter and her footballing hero/heroine are Cesc Fabregas and Rachel Yankey, MBE.
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Teacher and Football Coach : Different or the Same?

Philosophy and Ethos :

My coaching philosophy and methodology is deeply rooted from my background in education and teaching ideology.  Some may question and debate the differences the role of a ‘teacher’ and a ‘coach’ may have – but for me, the fundamental skill set that each brings to the forecourt are transferable.  It is the interlocking of these skills that have aided my personal and professional development in the world of football coaching, both within a youth and an adult set up.

As an educator, my ethos and belief is focused around the ‘Every Child Matters Outcomes’.  

How I then link this to a football environment is outlined below: 

Staying safe – ensuring all safeguarding regulations and practice are adhered to so that each and every player/pupil feels safe within the football/school setting.

Being healthy – ensuring more time is spent where players/pupils are actively engaged and practising physical education, as oppose to watching and listening.

Making a positive contribution – both pupils/players are confident and able to make their own decisions independently and understand their right and responsibility in doing so.

Enjoy and achieve – learning both in the classroom and at football training sessions is fun, exciting and purposeful.
  
Economic-well being – pupils/players from a young age learn and develop social and life skills that they can then transcend to our everyday world. These would include: communication, fair-play, respect, working in different teams and with different people, punctuality and time-keeping, self-organisation etc..)     

Teaching and Coaching Ideology: How They Interlink

My teaching ideology is linked directly with what is termed ‘The 5 R’s of Learning’ (Resilient, Responsible, Reasoning, Resourceful and Reflective).  From my perspective, in the world of football, this translates to ‘The 4 Corner Model’ (Technical, Psychological, Physical and Social).  Both have been interwoven into how I coach youth and adult players alike, encouraging them to develop both ‘The 5 R’s of Learning’ and ‘The 4 Corners’.  For me, how a player/pupil (learner) develops and learns holistically is fundamental and at the core of everything that I do.

I will explain how I suggest that both have strong association: 

Resilient – is a learner who is able to persevere and stick at something, no matter how challenging the task may be.  In football, through persistence and determination, players will increase their practise and learning experience (psychological corner).  These pupils also have a positive attitude and find interest in what they are doing. Thus, through enjoyment in football, and players having a direct involvement in their learning process, there will be positive impact on their social development.
     
Responsible – is a learner who is able to work effectively within a team situation and able to plan ahead.  Someone who is independent and can use initiative, as well as know right from wrong.  Football players will develop socially when given ownership, trust and responsibility within any given task or situation. If in the technical and physical practise they are given plenty of opportunity to work with different players and within varied group size, literacy required for effective communication and teamwork will be developed.  Developing footballers who have vision and awareness, those that can think ahead, can result from careful planning of the technical practise.

Reasoning – is a learner who is able to choose which method is best for them and explain why. They are patient and take time in doing something properly.  At training, players should be involved in practise that constantly involves decision-making and evaluation of learning.  They would then ensure that they are able to decide upon which strategy is best for them to use as football players – being exposed to a varied technical and physical practise would impact how much a player can ‘reason’.  Using varied approaches to cater for differing learning styles would mean all players needs are being met, whilst players make the decision on what impacts their learning the most (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic).   

Resourceful – is a learner who learns in different ways and is able to use their imagination.  They are willing to take risks and not afraid to ask questions.  In football, through open, varied and challenging practise (technical and physical) players will learn to develop creativity and imagination.  Risk-takers and those who question, develop socially and psychologically through opportunities given to discover, explore and experiment.  At training, a culture of developing ‘trial and error’ would be important in building such inquisitive players.
     
Reflective – is a learner who learns from mistakes and listens to different opinions.  These pupils ask ‘why’ and remain calm.  In football, the coach would know how to manage the mistakes of individual players.  Treating them as developmental, and through careful questioning, encouraging players to self-evaluate and identify what they need to further improve, in addition to what they are good at, is a great building block for social skills and nurturing positive psychology amongst players.    

Transition from Youth to Adult Coaching

My expertise and experience lie in primary education, working with 5 – 11 year olds.  In school terms there are three phases pupils go through until they reach the end of their primary education: Foundation Stage (Nursery/Reception), Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6).  In football terminology, this age group (5-11) has been named the ‘Foundation’ years – with the coaching pathway now age-appropriate.  

When working with young children, a fundamental understanding of how pupils learn is imperative.  It is the knowing of the ‘how’ that will ultimately impact the amount of progress made by individuals.  In my opinion, this is equally important when working with youth players in a football setting.  The recent age-appropriate coaching courses (Youth modules) place emphasis on this and provide strategies that coaches can adopt into their own practise.  

Although the development of technique and physical practise is important, I place significant emphasis on the social and psychological development of my young players (especially those who are within my Under 7 age group).  My young players are exposed to a range of constant technique practise and ball mastery – with progression to varied and random practise (which is more game related).  However, tactical learning is generic, where I simply use the terms ‘attackers’ and ‘defenders’ when discussing roles and responsiility, and players will not be involved in matches larger than a 4v4, as for me, the more touches of the football they have, the better footballers they will become.

But, when I am coaching my adult men’s team, although I do take into account their social and psychological needs, more weight is placed on the development of technique and physical development (agility/fitness).  The content of the training session is therefore different – practise begins with technique then skill, however there is a quicker transition to ‘random’ and ‘game-related’.  This would also be tactical and quite specific in terms of their roles and responsibilities on the pitch.

From my experience of what I have learnt in being able to coach a 5 year old to a 25 year old+, is the importance of understanding how players learn (socially, psychologically, technically and physically) and then being adaptable in your approach to suit the needs and age-group that you are working with.  Knowledge and understanding of the 4-Corner model alone is not enough – its how this relates to the practise and players that is fundamental.  Lastly, of course for me, it is the Football Association’s 4-Corner Model intertwined with the 5 R’s of learning that makes me the coach that I am – and shapes the learning of my players.   

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Many Thanks to Manisha for contributing the feature. We look forward to hearing more of and from Manisha in 2013.

You can follow Manisha via her twitter feed which is 


Saturday 29 December 2012

19 December 2012 - Rotherham United (Reserves) v Stoke City (Reserves)

A slightly different entry to the No Clash Of Colours featured matches.
A Central League Cup fixture between Rotherham United and Stoke City. Rotherham United (Reserves) play their home matches here, at Roundwood Stadium, home of NCEL Premier League club, Parkgate.

In the distance, the steel works from which Parkgate FC take their nickname. A former works football team,  formed in 1969 as BSC Parkgate. BSC denoting British Steel Corporation, they then changed their name to R.E.S Parkgate in 1990,. In 1994, they then changed their name, this time to Parkgate FC, as they are known now. 


Competition : Central League Cup
Result : Rotherham United (Reserves) 3 Stoke City (Reserves) 1
Attendance : Not Given
Venue : Roundwood Stadium, Parkgate FC


Twenty years ago, In 1992, Parkgate installed floodlights to the Roundwood Stadium.




Steve Evans - Rotherham United Manager


The following photographs feature Jane Simms, referee and on the FIFA International List Of Assistant Referees. No Clash Of Colours will soon be running a feature on Jane and that of women's football.





The Steelworks of Parkgate light up the darkening skies beyond Roundwood. The Rotherham United training pitches in the foreground.

Steve Evans (Rotherham United Manager) & Albert Dudill (Parkgate FC Chairman)

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Match Report :

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Club Links :

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

Thursday 27 December 2012

18 December 2012 - Parkgate (U19) v Maltby Main (U19)

"Roundwood Under The Lights"

Competition : Baris North Midlands U19 League Division 2
Result : Parkgate 6 Maltby Main 3
Attendance : Unknown

Parkgate Under-19




No Clash Of Colours
Our first mention in any match day programme.
Many Thanks to Dave & Rob, Very Much Appreciated.

Parkgate on the attack, they were soon to go two goals ahead before Maltby Main levelled at 2-2 before the half time whistle.





Parkgate FC - Club Secretary At Final Whistle
Bruce Bickerdyke 

Final Whistle
Parkgate 6 Maltby Main 3


The Maltby Main lads warm down as in the distance, not even a 6-3 victory will stop the Parkgate manager telling his team to take down the nets!



Matchday Programme

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Match Report : None
All Photography : ©fotografica137
Link To Baris North Midlands U19 League - In The "Non League Football Section" Panel
Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

Sunday 23 December 2012

16 December 2012 - Royal Earl v Hemsworth Miners Welfare

Royal Earl (Sheffield) : Pre Match Warm Up & Team Talk 

Competition : Sheffield & Hallamshire FA Senior Cup 5
Result : Royal Earl 4 Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1
Attendance : Unknown
Venue : Sheffield University Playing Fields, Warminster Road.

Sunday Morning Football In Sheffield.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare (Sunday Team)

Royal Earl goalkeeper makes a terrific save, but in doing so, suffers a shoulder injury and has to be substituted.


Royal Earl defend a Hemsworth Miners Welfare corner.




Ryan Hindley, victim of a late tackle undergoes treatment.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare stopper, sees the NCOC camera!


Photo-Sequence : Ryan Hindley scores from the penalty spot to put Royal Earl 1-0 up, just before half time.


Hemsworth Miners Welfare on the attack, looking to equalise before half time.

Half Time : Royal Earl 1 Hemsworth Miners Welfare 0

Hemsworth Miners Welfare on the attack.

Royal Earl, putting on the pressure, soon go 2-0 ahead.

Frustrated Hemsworth Miners Welfare players contest a refereeing decision.


Full Time : Royal Earl 4 (Hindley [pen], Bates [2], Roebuck) Hemsworth Miners Welfare 1


The all too familiar sight after a Sunday League game. Taking down the nets.

Whiteboard Chart, with pitch assignments for that Sunday morning's football.


Pitch 1 : Arbourthorne EA 2 v Brunsmeer Abbey AJW 0


With a backdrop of the hills overlooking Sheffield, Arbourthorne EA beat Brunsmeer Abbey AJW 2-0 to set up a quarter final clash with Royal Earl. Fixture to be played on Sunday 20 January 2013 at The Sheffield University Playing Fields, Warminster Road.


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Match Report : None
All Photography : ©fotografica137
Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow