The FA Four Corner model and how it can help you learn more about your players
I hope everyone is well and is enjoying the new season. Following on from Septembers column on ‘Using the 4-corner model/Preparing for the new season’. I want to try and explain how the FA Four Corner model helps coaches within the club address the needs and challenges of every player within Southport Athletic JFC.
For most of you reading this, the Four Corner model is used to address long-term player development and will not be something that you are totally unfamiliar with. For those that are new to the concept, I will recap.
What is it?
The Four Corner model (also known as the Long-term Player Development model or LTPD) is a holistic approach that recognises the core areas to be considered by coaches for players to develop their game. The areas are defined as technical/tactical, social, physical, and psychological. (illustrated below)
How can I learn more about my players and more importantly why do I need to know more about my players?
The main reason I selected this topic was really to try and give you a few thoughts, ideas, and possible methods to consider when using the Four Corner model back within the players at Southport Athletic JFC.
In times past, I think it is fair to say that the predominant coaching style implemented was very much a command style (fully coach led) and sessions planned for players took on a ‘one size fits all’ approach. (Very old school style of coaching).
Things have changed somewhat and we are now recognising that this isn’t necessarily the most effective way to educate players. Working with coaches at the early stages of their coaching journey, a common theme that I notice regularly is that we are pretty good at identifying and analysing the physical and technical aspects of our players, but don’t seem to have nearly as much insight into what they are like psychologically or socially.
This isn’t hugely surprising as the physical and technical aspects present themselves very visually and pretty consistently at training and in games. However, I do believe that our starting point as coaches is to recognise that each player is firstly an individual before becoming a cohesive member of a football team, and we as a club and with ourcoaches should acknowledge this within our approach to planning, delivering, and reviewing of training and matchday practices.
So you may be thinking: where does the Four Corner model fit in with this?
Well, hopefully it will fit into all of the planning, delivery, and reviewing processes of our coaching sessions within the club. It is important to have shared team goals and objectives, but for me the real task of coaching is being able to also have individualised goals and objectives that meet the needs and challenges of each individual player.
Development isn’t a one-way street…
Scientific studies have steered us towards the idea that we tend to remember more effectively if we are part of the process when finding solutions to problems. The understanding of the ‘Why?’ around what we are doing is a key aspect of effective learning and enables players to construct a more in-depth pattern of understanding.
I think it is important to look at how the Four Corner model can support us with this.
One method that I have personally used is the following:
Sit down with all parents and players to introduce the Four Corner model to them at the start of the season and briefly explain what it is.
Have a substantial list of qualities/skills/characteristics that fit with each of the areas of the model and allow parents/player to decide the top three and bottom three in each area for each player.
After a period of a month you do the same exercise for each individual player in your group and then compare to the previous one, looking for similarities and significant differences.
Then discuss your findings with the player/parent and come up with areas you wish to focus on to develop as a priority.
These areas identified can certainly be interchangeable throughout the season and should be discussed regularly in agreement with the player.
Remember when discussing this, be sensitive to players feelings and try to explain why what you are saying is beneficial to the player and the team.
In addition to this, you may even want to try giving players laminated cards to take to training and matchdays which have the Four Corner model background. This will allow players to set themselves an individual challenge in each area and then review how they did in their own time. (This is player-led as much as possible, but some 5-11 year old players may need support with this from the coach,parent or guardian.)
Why do I need to get to know my players?
There are many benefits that will help support you and your coaching, but I’ll try to summarise. For most players it is about feeling part of Southport Athletic JFC as a club, being part of their age group team, socializing and mixing with friends/new friendship groups and having fun are all fundamental drivers for being involved in football and this shouldn’t be ignored.
From a purely player development point of view, and again thinking about the Four Corner model, the more information you can access and gather about the players, the better placed you will be to make informed decisions/judgements/actions that will help support them in their development at Southport Athletic JFC.
Final note…
I would just like to stress to anyone reading this piece that the Four Corner model is a long-term vision and that player development will be a bumpy ride with lots of inconsistencies, peaks and troughs, but as coaches and as a club we should place player well-being at the centre of everything we are doing, especially during uncertain times like we are experiencing now with Covid 19. If any player, parent or guardian needs help or is struggling with these uncertain times, please do not suffer in silence. Myself, Southport Athletic JFC and all members of the committee are here to help. If you need help, advice or just a chat, please do not hesitate to contact us via the contacts on the website. Stay safe everyone and I hope everyone is finally enjoying the start to the new season.