The Soccer Coaching Podcast Episode 115 - The Importance of Coaching Principles, a conversation with Osku Partonen
Jul 18, 2025
Osku Partonen, a UEFA Pro Licensed Coach and Technical Director at Järvenpään Palloseura, shares his vast coaching experience. He dives into his nine key coaching principles crucial for player development and match focus. Osku highlights the importance of trust between coaches and players, illustrating how structured guidelines alongside creative freedom can elevate team dynamics. He also discusses the vital connection between training sessions and game performance, emphasizing adaptability and understanding player behavior for effective coaching.
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Osku's Coaching Journey
- Osku Partonen played semi-professional football and transitioned to coaching after injuries at age 23-24.
- He has coached for 15 years in one club, covering all age groups to first team and technical director roles.
Defining Coaching Principles
- Coaching principles are simple, repeatable behavioral guides like "look forward first" rather than formations or patterns.
- These principles shape consistent player behavior, especially during challenging moments in matches.
Need for Clear Consistent Principles
- Clarity and consistency in coaching principles are crucial because players rarely execute simple principles under pressure.
- Players often don't apply principles like immediate defending after losing the ball unless clearly coached and reinforced.