Episode 378: Ruben Ward-Lindsay | Coaching in Alternative Provision, Foundation Phase Priorities & Rethinking 1v1s

In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ruben Ward-Lindsay, a coach working across academy football, semi-professional men’s football, and education. From his role with Watford’s U10s to his coaching at Biggleswade United and his full-time work as a PE teacher in alternative provision, Ruben brings a powerful blend of lived experience, empathy, and practical insight.

This conversation dives into what coaching really looks like on the ground — working with young people who’ve experienced adversity, navigating Foundation Phase priorities, and challenging traditional ideas around 1v1s and session design. Ruben shares honest reflections from both the academy and AP worlds, exploring transferable skills, behaviour management, and what young players actually need to grow.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Ruben’s coaching journey across Watford Academy, Biggleswade United and alternative education.
• What coaching in alternative provision teaches you about patience, empathy, and behaviour management.
• How working with excluded young people develops communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
• Why understanding the “whole child” is essential in both teaching and coaching.
• The importance of context when coaching 1v1 situations — and why generic 1v1 boxes often miss the mark.
• Position-specific 1v1s: creating realistic, match-like pictures that reflect actual demands.
• Foundation Phase priorities:
• Passing & receiving as the most frequent action in the game.
• Consistency versus capability — and why U10s can do things but not replicate them yet.
• Finishing: unopposed, in the box, and from realistic scenarios like cutbacks.
• Comparing Foundation Phase (U10s) with YDP demands (U13s–14s): biomechanics, decision-making, and consistency.
• Why coaches must think beyond isolated practices and consider what players were doing before and what they’ll need next.

🧠 “Passing and receiving is massive — it’s the most frequent action in football. The difference at U10 isn’t ability, it’s consistency.” – Ruben Ward-Lindsay

📣 Whether you're a Foundation Phase coach, working in education, or navigating multiple environments, this episode offers grounded, practical insight that will help you rethink session design, player development, and how to support young people more effectively.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 Join the conversation — how do you create realistic, position-specific pictures in your coaching?

#CoachDevelopment #FootballCoaching #FoundationPhase #CoachEducation #PlayerDevelopment #YouthFootball #TeachingAndCoaching #TheCoachesNetwork

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