In recent years, the coaching philosophy known as Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) has gained significant traction in football. This approach moves away from traditional drills that focus solely on skill repetition, instead emphasizing game-based learning where players engage in tactical and strategic decision-making. By focusing on the game itself, players develop a deeper understanding of football concepts, improving not only their technical abilities but also their decision-making skills in real match situations.

Here’s a closer look at how Teaching Games for Understanding works and how it can be implemented effectively in football coaching.

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What is Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU)?

TGFU is an approach to coaching where players learn and understand football concepts by actively engaging in modified game situations. The primary goal is to help players understand the why behind the actions they perform, rather than just the how.

This coaching method is structured around four key principles:

1. Game Appreciation: Players are encouraged to see the game as a whole, understanding tactics and strategies from the perspective of a match scenario. They are not just executing isolated drills, but engaging in game-like environments where they learn to read the game and make decisions in real-time.
2. Tactical Awareness: Instead of just focusing on individual technical skills, TGFU fosters the development of tactical awareness. Players start to understand how their decisions affect the team’s shape, possession, and attacking or defensive strategies.
3. Decision Making: The key element in TGFU is decision-making. Players must decide when and how to pass, shoot, or dribble based on the conditions of the game, the movement of their teammates, and the positioning of the opposition. This encourages critical thinking and enhances a player’s ability to adapt during real matches.
4. Skill Development Through Context: Skills are developed within the context of the game. Instead of repetitive drills, TGFU utilizes small-sided games, where players must execute technical skills in a more dynamic and realistic environment.

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Benefits of Teaching Games for Understanding in Football

1. Improved Tactical Understanding

One of the greatest advantages of TGFU is that it helps players develop a deeper understanding of the tactical side of football. Instead of simply practicing isolated skills, players experience game situations where they must understand how to position themselves, create space, and read the game.

2. Better Decision Making

Football is a fast-paced sport that requires players to make decisions in the blink of an eye. TGFU helps players develop this crucial skill by presenting them with situations where they must quickly analyze the options available to them and make the best possible decision based on the context of the game.

3. Increased Engagement and Motivation

Traditional drills can sometimes feel repetitive and disengaging for young players. However, when learning is embedded within fun and challenging game-like scenarios, players become more engaged. The game itself provides the motivation for players to think critically and apply themselves to the task at hand.

4. Holistic Player Development

TGFU doesn’t just focus on developing technical skills in isolation. It encourages holistic player development by integrating tactical, physical, and mental aspects of the game. Players are given the tools to think and act like footballers, not just practitioners of isolated skills.

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Implementing TGFU in Your Football Sessions

To implement the Teaching Games for Understanding format in your football sessions, follow these steps:

1. Start with a Game

Instead of starting with a long warm-up or technical drills, introduce a small-sided game at the beginning of the session. Let the players experience the challenges of the game firsthand. For example, play a 3v3 or 4v4 match with specific conditions, such as only allowing passes to be made with one touch. This will get players thinking about their decisions right from the start.

2. Modify the Game

After a few minutes of play, stop the game and assess what’s happening on the field. Ask questions like:

• “What are your options when you have the ball?”
• “What can we do to create more space?”
• “How can we defend against this attack?”

Modify the game based on your observations. For instance, if the players are struggling with space, make the pitch smaller to encourage them to find creative solutions.

3. Introduce Key Principles

Once the game has been modified, start introducing the key principles you want the players to learn. This might include:

• How to support the ball carrier
• When to pass, dribble, or shoot
• How to press and defend as a unit

Use your observations from the game to highlight specific areas that need focus. The more the players are involved in this learning process, the more they’ll be able to apply the concepts in real match scenarios.

4. Encourage Reflection

At the end of each small-sided game or practice, allow time for players to reflect on their performance. Ask them to identify the decisions they made, what went well, and what could have been done better. Reflection encourages self-awareness and helps players improve both their technical and tactical abilities.

5. End with a Realistic Game

Finish your session with a more open, realistic game, allowing the players to put into practice what they’ve learned. This can be a full-sided game or another modified format, depending on your focus for the session.

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Key Takeaways

• Teaching Games for Understanding focuses on developing tactical awareness, decision-making, and skill application within real game scenarios.
• It promotes a more holistic and engaging approach to football coaching, encouraging players to learn through play rather than repetitive drills.
• By fostering an understanding of game principles, players are better equipped to make decisions in real-time during matches.
• Coaches should integrate small-sided games, modify the environment to highlight specific learning points, and encourage reflection to ensure the development of both technical and tactical skills.

By implementing the TGFU model, coaches can nurture well-rounded football players who understand the “why” behind their actions, ensuring they are not just skilled players, but intelligent, tactical thinkers on the field. So, next time you coach, consider shifting from isolated drills to game-based learning — and watch your players flourish in both their skills and their football understanding.

By Ethan Holmshaw