The Magic Academy

James Vaughan, Head of Development at AIK Stockholm and a PhD holder, dives into the intriguing 'Swedish theory of love,' discussing how societal norms can foster loneliness and the importance of community. He shares insights into youth football training, advocating for playful learning and player autonomy. The conversation also highlights the need for creative coaching methods and the benefits of informal play for skill development. Finally, he emphasizes the 'goldfish mindset' for increased focus and the flow experience in both play and coaching.

Rusty spends even more time with the man he has spent most of the last month with helping coaches navigate challenging conversations in football (shout out to Danny Newcombe!)... forum theatre, status, noticing skills, statement of intent and 'can I take this back?' Enjoy! 

Tom Farrow... performance coach, owner at Arete and the best wrestler I know chats all things solving performance problems. On the way, we chat connected conversations, why tackles are missed, 2 leg takedowns and lessons from football... enjoy! Tom can be found at http://www.arete-performance.com/ 

Sean and Rusty chat all things from the U13F's, being excited to come to training, reflecting in the moment, Laurie Fisher as Bruce Springsteen, re-imagining a coaching skills carousel, saving bullets, Ben Ryan in 2009 and John Quinn's grenades... enjoy!

Mike and Rusty chat all things confidence... What gives you a buzz? When is it hard for you? How does it feel? What milestones might we pass on the way? How can we be mischievous? Who owns the right way? Who do you want to be? Enjoy...

Mike is (just) a PE teacher and rugby coach and chats all things creative coaching, coaching across different environments and growing the game... enjoy!

Fletch and Rusty chat skill, levels, connecting player-parent-coach, coaching contact, coach development and being more like Finn... enjoy!

Sharks returns to chat all things theming, lifting the lid on La Rochelle in Europe, totems, experiments and making them wait... enjoy!

Andy returns to the pod having coached community rugby for the past 11 years alongside his role as Head of Subject at Leeds Beckett... he shares the 11 concepts that helped him the most with his coaching... from simplifying to scaffolding to SOL to planning to athlete engagement... enjoy!

Ex-poker player and Cambridge Economist Caspar and Rusty chat all things decision-making... knowing your opponent, missing bets, data and emotions, neutral reviews, interdependence and the J-curve... enjoy!