The Coaches Network Podcast Episode 379: Dr. Stephen Harvey | Teaching Games for Understanding, Game-Centred Approaches & Coaching as a Reflective Practice
In this episode, Coach Yas sits down with Dr. Stephen Harvey, a globally respected coach educator and researcher known for his work on game-centred approaches, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), and reflective practice in coaching.
Stephen brings decades of experience in sport pedagogy, coach education, and applied research. Together, they explore what it means to teach the game through the game, the value of inquiry and questioning in practice design, and how coaches can thoughtfully integrate theory into real-world coaching moments.
đź’ˇ Key Talking Points
- Stephen’s journey into sport pedagogy, research, and coach education.
- The principles and philosophy behind Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU).
- How TGfU shifts coaching from instruction first to problem solving through play.
- Designing practice tasks that reflect real game context and decision-making.
- The importance of questioning over telling — helping players think, not just react.
- How coaches can balance structure and freedom in practice.
- Integrating reflective practice and theory to improve coaching impact.
- Practical examples and Q&A driven insights on implementing game-based approaches.
- Why coach development should be rooted in curiosity, evidence, and ongoing learning.
đź“š Resources & Further Reading
Explore Stephen’s work on Teaching Games for Understanding at the FIFA Training Centre:
👉 Science Explained — TGfU Overview
👉 TGfU Q&A with Stephen Harvey
These resources expand on many of the ideas discussed in this episode and are excellent companion material for coaches looking to implement TGfU principles.
🧠“The coach’s role is to open the game for the learner — not to close it down with instructions.” – Dr. Stephen Harvey
📣 Whether you’re a grassroots coach, academy practitioner, or coach developer, this episode provides actionable insight into teaching through play, fostering decision-making, and using questioning to unlock player understanding.
👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
💬 Join the conversation — how are you using game-centred approaches in your practice?
#CoachDevelopment #GameCentredCoaching #TeachingGamesForUnderstanding #TGfU #FootballCoaching #ReflectivePractice #CoachEducation #TheCoachesNetwork
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