Game Plan Coaching Podcast

Tom Hartley
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Too many coaching podcasts waffle. We don’t. This is The Game Plan Coaching Podcast – short, sharp, and full of real coaching stories. Each episode is about the length of a car journey, or lunchtime walk, full of tangible ideas and coaching advice. In every episode, our guest adds something new to the 'Game Plan'. A shared playbook of ideas, stories, and moments that have shaped their coaching journey, and may rub off on you. Each episode ends with a piece of 'Game Changing' advice from our guest. Something that you might want to apply, adapt, or reflect on. Follow the podcast, share it with your coaching friends, and be part of a community that’s about being better at what we do. Real stories, practical tools, and coaching that makes a difference. You can follow me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

  1. Russell Earnshaw: Are you enjoying this?

    6D AGO

    Russell Earnshaw: Are you enjoying this?

    Welcome to the Game Plan Coaching Podcast Russell Earnshaw, known to most as Rusty, is one of the most influential coach developers working in sport today. Starting out in rugby, he now works across multiple sports and environments, from Premier League football academies to New Zealand, Canada, the US and beyond. He's the kind of person who makes you think differently about coaching within about five minutes of talking to him.   Three Key Messages 1. The best coaches see the world through the eyes of the learner Rusty's game plan contribution is rooted in a simple but profound idea from Roger Neyburn's book Experts. As coaches develop, they move from being focused on themselves to being genuinely curious about the experience of every individual in front of them. His challenge to coaches is to pick one player, watch their experience for the duration of a session, and ask yourself honestly; was that good enough?   2. Expertise is about having more options A recurring theme throughout the conversation is that great coaches aren't working from a checklist. They're noticing more, seeing more, and responding with a wider range of options than less experienced coaches. Rusty's advice? Deliberately expose yourself to different environments, different sports, different ages and abilities. Every experience adds to your toolkit.   3. Make problems visible Rusty's game-changing advice is as practical as it gets. Use bibs, headbands, scoreboards, and simple constraints to make the key problems in your session impossible to ignore, for players and for yourself. When the challenge is visible, players engage with it, problem-solve around it, and coaches don't drift away from it. Simple, effective, and immediately stealable.   Rusty's Game-Changing Advice Pick one player. Watch their experience for an entire session, minute by minute. What did that look and feel like for them? Then ask yourself how you're going to make sure every player in your group is having an experience worth coming back for.   Get in touch Tom's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/  Rusty's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-earnshaw-66161020/  The Magic Academy Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-magic-academy/id1434710237

    47 min
  2. Adam Kelly: Talent, Bias, Belief

    APR 1

    Adam Kelly: Talent, Bias, Belief

    In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast I am joined by Professor Adam Kelly, Professor of Sport and Exercise at Birmingham City University. Adam leads the Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development Lab. With a background as Head of Academy Sports Science at Exeter City Football Club, Adam bridges the gap between academic research and applied coaching practice. His work spans collaborations with FIFA, the ECB, Olympic Lyonnais, and the South Asian Cricket Academy, focusing on talent identification and development processes in sport.   Three Key Messages   1. Understand the person before the player: One of the most important shifts coaches and pathway designers can make is to look beyond sporting attributes and first understand who the athlete is as a person. Factors like relative age, biological maturity, training age, family background, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity can all significantly shape how a player performs at any given moment. By understanding these individual characteristics first, coaches can better readjust their assessment of current performance and make more informed judgements about longer-term potential.   2. Widen the pool - different pathways for different players: Delaying selection matters, but so does broadening who gets considered. Adam shared two powerful examples: England Squash's birthday banding approach, which evaluates players as individuals rather than against age-group peers, and Denmark's Futures Team in football, a parallel pathway for younger or later-maturing players that has produced just as many senior international players as the traditional performance pathway. The message for clubs and pathway designers is clear - one route doesn't fit all, and widening the talent pool now pays dividends later.   3. Talent ID systems are designed for children: A simple but profound reframe: talent identification systems are built around children, yet they are rarely designed with children truly at the centre. Adam challenges coaches and organisations to ensure children's rights are actively lived and realised within their pathways, from child protection checks on scouts and recruiters, to consulting young athletes on the shape and experience of the pathway itself. The asset value placed on young players in some systems can all too easily overshadow the fact that they are children first.   Other Things Worth Knowing The TIDE Society: Adam co-founded the Talent Identification and Development Environments for Sport Society (TIDE), a global network of over 150 researchers and practitioners across more than 20 countries. Their forthcoming position statement outlines 13 principles of talent identification, a practical and reflective framework for coaches, recruiters, and pathway designers. It will be published as an open-access paper in the Journal of Sport Sciences. Watch this space. The South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA): A standout initiative born from research revealing that Asian cricketers were significantly underrepresented at professional level despite being overrepresented in the talent pathway, and despite showing no meaningful difference in bowling, batting, or physical metrics compared to white peers. SACA provides an intensive programme for 18–24 year olds, and in four years has seen 18 players sign professional contracts, nearly doubling Asian representation in first-class counties. Find out more here: https://www.saca-uk.com/ The coach's eye, valuable but not enough on its own: Experience genuinely matters in talent identification, but it also carries risk. Subjective judgement informed by personal experience can lead to unconscious bias. Even highly experienced scouts interpret players differently. Adam encourages coaches to pair their intuition with an evidence-informed, intersectional lens - one that considers who the athlete is, not just what they can currently do.   Adam’s Game Changing Advice: "Believe in every athlete — don't form a fixed mindset about potential too early." Those selected gain confidence, opportunity, and development. Those not selected lose it. Keeping an open mind about who can develop, and over what timeframe might be the most important habit a talent identifier can build.   Get in touch: Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/ Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlkelly/

    41 min
  3. Skye Eddy: Meet the Parents

    MAR 26

    Skye Eddy: Meet the Parents

    In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Skye Eddy, founder of Soccer Parenting and The Sideline Project, a former player, All-American goalkeeper, and coach educator. Her work is helping clubs, coaches, and parents rethink the role adults play in youth sport. Skye’s mission is simple: inspire players by empowering parents. Rather than falling into the usual “parents are the problem” narrative, Skye offers something far more useful - a way to see parents as an essential part of a child’s sporting experience. More importantly, she shares practical ways coaches can build trust, set clear boundaries, and create a stronger sense of community around their team.   Three key themes 1) Parents are part of the picture: Parents aren’t on the outside of youth sport, they’re in it. When they’re better informed, better connected, and clear on their role, it improves the experience for everyone. Players benefit. Coaches benefit. The environment becomes more purposeful and less stressful. 2) Boundaries build trust: One of the biggest takeaways. Skye talks about “door open” and “door closed” moments between coaches and parents. Not everything is up for discussion. But when expectations are clear, relationships improve - and coaching becomes easier, not harder. 3) Sidelines and car journeys matter: Some of the most influential moments happen away from the pitch. We explore sideline behaviour, car ride conversations, and how adult stress can impact children. Skye’s framework of supportive, distracting, and hostile behaviours is simple and powerful.   This episode will help you if: you’ve ever felt stressed by parents you want to build a stronger team culture you know the coach-parent relationship matters, but you’re not sure how to improve it you want practical ways to make youth sport better for children   Skye’s work is grounded in experience, backed by research, and focused on real-world application. You’ll come away with ideas you can use straight away and probably a slightly different perspective on parents too.   Links Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/ Skye’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-eddy/ Soccer Parenting: https://www.soccerparenting.com Feedback form: https://forms.gle/UwQad2r8xozcUKCW7   If this episode made you think differently about parents, sidelines, or the wider environment around young players, I’d love to hear from you. Use the feedback form to share your reflections or suggest future guests and topics.

    52 min
  4. Richard Barbour: Perception Shapes Behaviour

    MAR 19

    Richard Barbour: Perception Shapes Behaviour

    This conversation will help you: think differently about how you design practices reflect on the questions you ask become more aware of how athletes experience your coaching   Links Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/ Richard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardsbarbour/ Feedback form (share feedback, suggest guests, propose episode ideas): https://forms.gle/QJYropsa4grmFLCT9

    35 min
  5. Sally Needham: The Neuroscience of Coaching

    MAR 12

    Sally Needham: The Neuroscience of Coaching

    In this episode of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Sally Needham - a football coach, coach developer, and human development specialist whose work brings together football, neuroscience, and performance.   Sally has worked across football for many years, including roles within The FA Skills Programme, academy football, and international environments such as Wales Women. Through her consultancy 4Growth, she now works with coaches and athletes to better understand the connection between brain, body, behaviour, and performance. She has also recently completed a Professional Doctorate focused on elite performance and neuroscience.   I’ve always found Sally’s perspective fascinating. She has a brilliant way of helping coaches see what sits beneath behaviour and performance, and how understanding the nervous system can change the way we coach.   Key Themes Coaching the soil not just the grass Sally explains how neuroscience helps coaches understand what sits beneath behaviour - the brain, nervous system, and emotions that shape learning and performance.   Regulation and safety in coaching We explore why coaches need to regulate themselves first -  because “a disregulated adult cannot regulate a disregulated child.”   Small behaviours that shape learning Simple coaching habits like how we greet players, the language we use, and how we structure sessions can have a powerful impact on development.   Links Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/ Sally’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sally-needham-264918b5/ Feedback form (share feedback, suggest guests, propose episode ideas): https://forms.gle/LNH76ce2ahwesSvj6   If this episode made you think differently about behaviour, learning, or performance in coaching, I’d love to hear your reflections. Use the feedback form to share your thoughts or suggest future guests for the podcast.

    52 min
  6. Alex Lascu: The Sound of Learning

    MAR 6

    Alex Lascu: The Sound of Learning

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Alex Lascu - a coach, researcher, and learning designer whose work sits at the intersection of skill acquisition, coach development, and practice design. Alex has worked across community and performance sport, has researched talent development and skill acquisition in cricket, and is currently connected with the Queensland Academy of Sport and the University of Canberra. Across her work, she focuses on bridging the gap between research and real-world coaching.    I love spending time with Alex, and this was a really fun conversation, but also one with plenty of depth. We explored what coaches can learn from thinking like gardeners, why the environment matters so much in practice, and how laughter, challenge, and co-design can all tell us something meaningful about learning.   In this episode we cover… Coaches create conditions, they do not control learning Alex opens with a brilliant analogy: the coach as a gardener. The point is simple, but powerful - coaches do not “make” learning happen on command. Instead, they shape environments where learning is more likely to emerge. We explore: why practice design is really about the conditions we create how behaviour is always a response to something in the environment why coaches need to think beyond what players are doing and pay closer attention to what is shaping it   Better practice starts with better design A huge part of the conversation centres on constraints, representative practice, and the relationship between the person, task, and environment. We talk about: why space is one of the first constraints coaches should think about how training environments can accidentally teach the wrong things why starting with a game first can be a far better diagnostic tool than jumping straight into drills how co-designing challenge with players can help practices land more effectively   Laughter, challenge, and waiting longer We also get into: why laughter and learning are not opposites what coaches can notice when they listen, not just watch why sometimes the best intervention is to wait 10 more seconds how not rushing in can leave space for players to solve problems for themselves There’s a real thread here about trust: trust in players, trust in the process, and trust that learning does not always need rescuing.   A few standout ideas from the episode Start with the game and see what falls out Ask more questions instead of assuming you already know Design with players, not just for them   Links Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/ Alex’s podcast — The Deep End: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-deep-end/id1686774407 Feedback form (share feedback, suggest guests, propose episode ideas): https://forms.gle/SDCdYhS799nxgfrG9   If this episode gave you something to reflect on, whether that’s practice design, player voice, or simply the reminder to hold back for 10 more seconds I’d love to hear from you. Use the feedback form to share your thoughts, suggest future guests, or tell me what topics you’d like us to explore next on the podcast.

    42 min
  7. Peter Sturgess: From Transmission to Possibility

    FEB 28

    Peter Sturgess: From Transmission to Possibility

    Welcome to the first episode in the brand-new series of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast. In this conversation, I’m joined by Peter Sturgess: a coach, coach educator, and one of the most influential voices in helping coaches create better experiences for children in football. Together we explore what it really looks like to coach with young players, not at them, and how great coaching doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful. In this episode we cover Possibility Thinking: why children often see more options than adults do - and how coaching can unlock that. Voice, choice, and autonomy (without chaos): how to build responsibility in steps, so empowerment actually works. A hybrid approach to coaching: knowing when to lead, when to follow, and how to build a true partnership with players. Helping the “dribbler” thrive: instead of restricting players, supporting what motivates them and shaping it into smarter decisions. Scaling the game for young children: why getting formats right (like 2v2, 2v1, and 3v3) matters for learning, enjoyment, and long-term participation. Space as a coaching tool: different pitch sizes create different “returns” - and coaches can get more intentional with this. From session topics to session objectives: why “How can we score more goals?” can engage more players than “Tonight is dribbling”. Randomness & reactive agility: building practice that players must notice and adapt to - like the real game. Game-changing advice: the underrated value of volunteering, mentoring, and learning alongside others over time.   Links Tom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/  Pete’s website — The Session Collective: https://www.thesessioncollective.co.uk/about-5  Feedback form (future guests & episode ideas): https://forms.gle/SDCdYhS799nxgfrG9    Enjoyed this episode? If it sparked an idea, challenged a habit, or made you think differently about coaching, I’d really appreciate you taking 60 seconds to: share feedback via the form above suggest a guest (or topic) you’d love to hear on the podcast and if you’re feeling generous - share the episode with a coach who you think might enjoy it Thanks for listening - and welcome to the new series.

    53 min
  8. Series One: The Game Changing Guide

    JAN 4

    Series One: The Game Changing Guide

    This special episode brings together the key 'game-changing advice' from each guest in Series 1 of the Game Plan Coaching Podcast. It is a quick way to catch up with some of the headlines from the podcasts, and the insights that can genuinely shift how you coach, lead, and support the people you work with.   I’ve absolutely loved recording this first series. I’ve learnt so much from every guest and I’m really grateful for the generosity, honesty, and wisdom they’ve shared.   Here’s the headline advice from each guest on the podcast:   Martin Dighton: Stop Coaching Richard Cheetham: Think About Who You Coach Before What You Coach Fran Wally: Honesty and Trust Must Be a Two-Way Street Tom Coyd: Build Connection and Clarity with Your Players Liam Gilbert: People First, Results Follow Nicky Harverson: Record Yourself Coaching and Listen Back Daniel Lysett: Reach Out, Connect, and Start Culture Early Joe Baker: Use Data to Design Better Environments, not to Predict Talent Mark Blundell: Truly Believe in the People You Support, or Be Honest if It’s Not the Right Fit Paul Bodin: Keep Challenging Yourself and Keep Learning Bobby Scales: Coaches Need Coaching Too, Always Work on Yourself Jean Côté: Focus on Short-Term Development of People, Not Just Long-Term Performance Russ Smith: Involve Stakeholders and Change Your Perspective, Literally Stuart Armstrong: Be Intentional, Design Practice Around Real Game Moments John Hendry: Forgive, Be Kind to Yourself and the People You Coach   My LinkedIn Newsletter I’ve also started a LinkedIn newsletter where I have started to unpack each podcast episode in more depth, adding my own reflections, coaching stories, and ideas you can take straight into your practice. You can subscribe here: Subscribe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7404505494888882178   Help Shape Series 2 I’d love your feedback on the podcast so I can keep improving and developing it for Series 2. What should stay? What should change? What do you want more (or less!) of? It only takes two minutes to complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/S3DBmdXAmzrWfJ4B9   Thank You And finally, a huge thank you for listening, supporting, sharing, and being part of the Game Plan Coaching community. It genuinely means a lot. I hope the ideas in this episode, and the wider series, spark reflection, conversation, and maybe even a few small changes in your next coaching session. If you’ve enjoyed the series, please follow the show and share it with a coach you think would find it useful. Go well, and see you in Series 2.

    29 min
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About

Too many coaching podcasts waffle. We don’t. This is The Game Plan Coaching Podcast – short, sharp, and full of real coaching stories. Each episode is about the length of a car journey, or lunchtime walk, full of tangible ideas and coaching advice. In every episode, our guest adds something new to the 'Game Plan'. A shared playbook of ideas, stories, and moments that have shaped their coaching journey, and may rub off on you. Each episode ends with a piece of 'Game Changing' advice from our guest. Something that you might want to apply, adapt, or reflect on. Follow the podcast, share it with your coaching friends, and be part of a community that’s about being better at what we do. Real stories, practical tools, and coaching that makes a difference. You can follow me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhartleycoaching/

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Hartley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Tom Hartley
  • Show Website
    Game Plan Coaching Podcast