Rob Porter

Oxford United Advanced Programme Lead Coach, FA Grassroots Coach Developer, Referee, Author and @SundayShare10 admin

[Kieron Button @kieronbutton17]

A common pattern I’m seeing in youth football/soccer, a player is developing well with better decisions, stronger technical ability, more good habits, but parents don’t see it because they’re only measuring wins and losses.

True development is rarely linear and almost never shows up cleanly on the score line of a game at U10 - U14.

Parents need better education on what progress actually looks like and they also need to take ownership of learning it themselves. The resources are everywhere.

Focus on the process. The results follow.

[Ekkono Method ⚽️ @ekkonomethod]

Effective mid-block defending depends on getting the tactical details right. In our next Masterclass, we'll explore:

🔸 Defensive compactness & key spaces
🔸 Pressing timing & coordination
🔸 Individual positioning & decisions

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[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

@power_ray @cutinside This looks like a great opportunity for coaches to improve their leadership skills

[Ray Power @power_ray]

⚽ Leadership in Coaching Short Course 🎓

Our lead tutor @cutinside brings elite professional football experience, a Master’s in Leadership and is a PhD candidate in Leadership!!

Join us for a four-part leadership course covering:

🧠 Lead Yourself

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❓ Plus a live Q&A workshop with Rod & Ray

A rare opportunity to learn from someone who bridges leadership theory and the realities of professional football.

📅 Starts 22 November | Online

Don’t leave your influence to chance.

Register in the comments 👇

[Soccer Profile @MySoccerProfile]

Full-backs - Defending in Wide Areas

Defending wide areas requires control, patience and a connection with the back line.

Apply pressure as the ball travels and control the speed and angle of approach. Stay balanced in the one-v-one, watch the ball and time the challenge. Reduce the space to deliver, block the crossing angle and recognise when to press or delay.

For coaches: Help full-backs connect their approach to the support around them. Reinforce communication with nearby defenders, cover and support, staying compact and tracking runners.

Explore The Coaches Hub for professional coaching insight, practical ideas and detailed session plans to support your coaching and player development. Link in the comments.

Develop the coach. Improve the session. Develop the player.

#SoccerProfile #TheCoachesHub #SoccerCoaching

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

We've gone to a medium to low block with the U19s recently, so I might as well sharpen my knowledge, and potentially learn a few things.

[Soccer Profile @MySoccerProfile]

What can GPS data tell you about your players’ workload?

We’ve teamed up with @PlayerData to help coaches put GPS insights into practice. In our joint webinar, @GarryMonk and Rich Buchanan discuss how GPS can shape your next session.

Watch 👀👇
https://t.co/4TebTF0Yzk

#SoccerProfile #PlayerData

[Ben Andreos @ben_andreos]

DEFENDING ISN’T JUST TACKLING — IT’S READING THE GAME

Van Dijk’s famous line hits different: “The best tackles don’t happen because you’re fast — they happen because you’re on‑time.”

So many young defenders rush in, feet flying, trying to win the ball immediately. Van Dijk teaches us to pause, read the run, read the body shape, pick the exact split second to step in.

✅ Read the attacker’s hips first
✅ Time your step before they commit
✅ Stay side‑on — don’t dive
✅ Patience beats desperation every single time

Defending is a thinking position. Your eyes are your best tool before your feet. 💪

#Coaching #Academy #Development #Defending

[𝗙𝗖𝗖 𝗛𝘂𝗯 | 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 @HubFcc]

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Will you take any of these 2 games into your sessions? Then why not to check all of them in our complete collection of 24 games.

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[Kieron Button @kieronbutton17]

As a youth football/soccer coach, observing first is vital. The more you talk and try to coach in the moment, the more you miss what’s actually happening.

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

A whole 11 aside pitch to use, and a chance to use some mannequins to make it look like I know what I'm doing!

What's not to love as a coach!

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

@clough_lee33801 @SundayShare10 I reckon so

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

An eye opening second #SundayShare

Just coached a county U16s session. On arrival, one of the players asked if we were doing passing patterns, and was disappointed when I said no! She prefers them over a game!

It certainly took me by surprise!

@SundayShare10

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

@clough_lee33801 @SundayShare10 I asked and her rational was that it got the tempo of sessions going.

[Peter Prickett | TheBeardedCoach @PeterPrickett]

Three of the best posters from my series last summer, inspired by World Cup posters.

Spain '84
France '98
Uruguay '30

#SundayShare

[Ben Andreos @ben_andreos]

My @SundayShare10 this week is a session I did yesterday

Receiving isn’t just catching the ball — it’s deciding your next move 🧠⚽

Yesterday’s session with the academy lads was all about one core principle:
Receive to make the next action.

Every touch was planned before the ball even arrived.
✔️ Open‑body receiving to play a quick pass
✔️ Side‑on receiving to set for a finish
✔️ Reading the space to choose pass / shoot instantly

Too many players just receive the ball — elite players receive with purpose.
Small, sharp technical repetitions, high‑tempo decision‑making, and those little split‑second choices that separate academy standard from the next level.

Great work from every lad — the detail is showing. 💪

#Coaching #Development #Academy #Detail #Passing

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

@Footballaim_ Oxford had Ramsey on the touchline the whole time, but he wasn't as vocal, only when he needed to be. The other coach who spent the most time commuting was Gunter, and a 3rd coach who came off the bench for set pieces.

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

With a reduced crowd, and the opportunity to sit where I want, I've ended up using today's Oxford game as a chance to observe some coaches matchday communication.

2 very different styles from the Oxford and Stevenage coaching staff.

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

@Footballaim_ The Stevenage coaching team had the manager on the touchline about 80% of the time. A second coach who's didn't sit on the bench, and role seems to be to add energy. 2 other coaches who got up from the bench at points to give detail.

[Rob Porter @CoachRobPorter]

My #SundayShare this week is an appreciation post for grassroots coaches.

People don't see it from the outside, but the image shows how much coaches have to think about.

To put in the hours they do, for free, is something that should be recognised and commended🤝

[Peter Prickett | TheBeardedCoach @PeterPrickett]

A few simple games to help players attack and defend at speed.

React quickly to turnovers
Combine centrally and wide
Recovery runs
Retaining possession and fast counter attacks

From Super Six Volume One