John Owens presents with SBC founder Gary Ireland an exciting series of webinars which describe his experiences at Liverpool F.C Academy and his world renowned 'Principles of Play/Decision Making Tree' and provides incredible insight into the value and role of Academies. John and Gary have have worked together since 2002 when Gary was a staff coach at Liverpool FC Academy and have delivered dozens of educational webinars. John was Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director at Liverpool F.C for 19 yrs where he won the F.A Youth Cup twice. At LFC he coached Gerrard, Owen, Fowler, Carragher & Alexander-Arnold. He was England U/16 coach & 7 years at Doublepass as Technical Auditor English Premier League & England Football League Academies & MLS/US Soccer Development Academies
For guest coaching, program consulting, symposiums and guest speaker/presenter opportunities contact Gary Ireland info@soccerbookconsulting.com (650) 387 4128
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UPCOMING WEBINARS
coming soon
PREVIOUS WEBINARS
Principles of play is the foundation on which systems & formation/tactics are laid & should be prioritized when coaching young players & educating coaches. Johns Principles of Play-Decision Making Tree ('POP') was displayed in the entrance of Liverpool FC Academy & used by federations curriculums, coach orgs, league & club coaching courses. The Croatian Football Federations Development Curriculum book by Romeo Jozak former Croatian Federation Technical Director, Director Dinamo Zagreb Academy & Sporting Director & current Saudi Arabia Future Falcons featured John's 'POP'. John was invited by the Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) to present 'POP' at their coaching symposium. John presented 'POP' to pro. clubs & their academies for DoublePass including EPL, EFL, MLS/USA, Italy, Norway, Greece Japan J-League, India & Canada. Technical Director of Hungarian 1st Div. club Puskas Academy Peter Horvath uses John's 'POP' since 2003. John presented 'POP' with Gary Ireland ‘Impact of Technique on Individual Decision Making’, focused on position specific techniques & concepts, relevant to all systems/formations & style of play & the importance of optimizing individual technique & implementation with Juventus FC Individual Technical Development Alberto Lampo & Directors from Hungarian football academies, the Hungarian F.A & club directors from Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia & Romania in attendance. John has presented 'POP' to USA youth clubs PSV Union FC, Laguna Eclipse & NorCal League
At Liverpool John Coached
For England Schoolboys John Coached
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland discuss with John how players are identified, selected & retained & how coach player assessment tools & player self assessment tools are used by national team, professional academies & rep teams to identify strength & weaknesses in player potential, performance & retention
9pm California Thrs Dec. 21, 2023
5am England Fri 22/12/23
2pm Sydney Fri 22/12/23
FREE to Soccerbook.com Coaches Club members, Charity/League Partner Orgs
$20 Non Members
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland discuss Johns 'Principles of Play-Decision Making Tree' displayed in the entrance of Liverpool FC Academy & used worldwide by national federations curriculums, coaches associations & league & club coaching courses
10pm California Thrs Jan 18, 2024
6am England Fri 1/19/24
2 pm Singapore Fri 1/19/24
5pm Sydney Fri 1/19/24
FREE to Soccerbook.com Coaches Club members, Charity/League Partner Orgs
$20 Non Members
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland discuss with John the importance of nurturing & developing individual players & creating a culture of learning at academies & importance of long term technical training, its application & relevance to systems, tactics, formation & strategy & 'subjective probability in football decision making’
9pm California Thrs March 14 2024
5am England Fri 15/3/24
2pm Sydney Fri 15/3/24
FREE to Soccerbook.com Coaches Club members, Charity/League Partner Orgs
$20 Non Me
John and SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland discuss how academies are assessed, by whom & areas used to assess academy performance
9pm California Thrs March 28, 2024
5am England Fri 29/3/24
6am Central EuropeanTime Fri 29/3/24
1pm Singapore Fri 29/3/24
2pm Sydney/ 29/3/24
John discusses with SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland his responsibility for training 180+ players & managing 50 technical & admin. staff. He selected, trained, monitored physical, PT/medical team & ensured that Liverpool FC met the highest global standards
COMING IN APRIL
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland discuss with John
COMING IN MAY
John presents 36 areas of the DO's & DONT'S of effective coaching
9pm California Thrs February 29, 2024
5am England Fri 1/3/24
6am Central European Time Fri 1/3/24
1pm Singapore Fri 1/3/24
2pm Sydney/Brisbane Fri 1/3/2424
COMING IN JUNE
For DOC's, TD's, Parents, Elite Players
9pm California Thrs March 28, 2024
5am England Fri 29/3/24
6am Central EuropeanTime Fri 29/3/24
1pm Singapore Fri 29/3/24
2pm Sydney/Brisbane Fri 29/3/24
COMING IN JULY
Deember 6, 2020
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
Legendary England & Liverpool FC & Real Madrid player & European Player of the Year Michael Owen played at Liverpool FC Academy where he was coached by John for 6 years before joining the Liverpool FC 1st team. Shortly after being brought up to the first team Michael played for England in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Finals and scored perhaps the best goal of the tournament against Argentina (here). John, Gary & Carine discuss what made Michael special & differentiated him from other players and went into detail about Michaels upbringing & his desire to become a special player as well as highlighting some of the technical, physical and tactical qualities that made Michael one the best players in the world. Michael was the favorite player of Kevin De Bruynne & Sergio Aguerro
January 30, 2021
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst Academy Director& U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
..the terms 'movement off the ball' & 'timing of runs' & suggestions on when, where, how, why to make runs, how to bend runs, make checking runs, blind side runs, early & late runs, decoy runs, overlapping runs & more
August 22, 2021
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
Allowing players to train & play freely, experiment & risk taking in training environments & teaching them to apply this to match play. They discussed the responsibility of players in the self practice process & their desire and ability and need to self correct
September 5, 2021
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
How goals are created, scored & opportunism in the penalty area & useful tips on how to compromise defenders. They discussed the 'danger areas' for defenders & the type of mentality goalscorers possess
November 8, 2021
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
The making of Liverpool FC and England captain Steven Gerrard who John coached for 6 years at Liverpool FC Academy before joining the Liverpool FC 1st team. Learn what made Steven special & differentiated him from other players. We go into detail about his upbringing & desire to become a special player some of the technical, physical and tactical qualities that made Zidane claim that Steven was the best player in the world in 2005 when Steven picked up the European Champions League Final trophy after defeating AC Milan in Istanbul, earning him the 'Man of The Match Award'
December 13, 2021
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
John had to motivate players to not only be great technically, tactically & physically, but also play as hard for their team as they did themselves. When players put on the Liverpool FC shirt that former greats had worn there usually isn't a need to inspire players to play 'out of their skin', however, as with all teams each players performance for the betterment of the team requires a lot of care & understanding. Teaching players responsibility, accountability, empathy & the proper communication takes a lot of work too. John's webinar helped players better understand some of the finer points of teammates interaction including ability to inspire players to perform better for their team as well as themselves
January 30, 2022
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director& U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens described:
Some of the characteristics John saw & helped develop when these players were under his tutelage at Liverpool FC. John & Gary discussed what traits top players exhibit when being scouted & importance of consistent training & preparation for competition & top players staying switched on in trainings. Gary asked John to describe if the best players he coached needed to exhibit a winning mentality at all times. John talked about Steven Gerrards desire to always be better when he left the practice field than when he came to practice. John talked about the importance of young players being interested in the game/students of the game & to strive for self improvement & continuous improvement by asking questions, being 'bright'
September 9, 2020
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
Aspects of the England vs Argentina 1998 World Cup game. At Liverpool FC John coached several of the players who played in the game such as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman & scorer of 'that' wonder goal Michael Owen and discussed with them areas of their game to improve
August 2, 2020
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
Johns 'Principles of Play-Decision Making Tree' chart graced the corridors of Liverpool FC Academy for 19 yrs. John taught LFC legends Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler These principles are the essential platform on which strategy, tactics, positional play and curriculum are all laid. Without knowing the principles of play its not possible, or at least much more difficult to apply technical & tactical material. This is the point where 'athletes' either excel or get left behind- decision making is based on a number of factors- situational awareness, 'reading' the game etc. Sadly too many youth players hear systems based coaching & instruction before they learn the Principles of Play. John explains why he feels that 'numbers' ('the 6' or 'the 9' or 'the '5') should be taught after principles of play
October 24, 2020
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland & former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst Academy Director& U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
..Johns experiences coaching and inspiring many players over a 17 yr career at Liverpool FC. We will discuss ideas for practicing at home or in the neighborhood as well as Johns famous 'shooting tower' at Liverpool and the 'shooting wall'. John taught LFC legends Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler & current players Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady (Wolves Captain) & many more
January 16, 2021
SBC founders Carine & Gary Ireland Australian coaching legend Ron Smith former Liverpool FC Academy Manager & Asst. Academy Director & U18/U19 Coach & Doublepass Auditor John Owens discussed:
the importance of 'first touch' & why this universal expression is an integral part of players development & what its benefits are. They discussed ways to develop first touch as an individual player and how first touch influences movement off the ball and the impact on the opposition. They also discussed what is meant by having a 'feel for the ball' & how space & time are impacted by a players first touch & how the less time a player takes to control the ball more time they will have to take advantage of it/ use it positively
REVIEW: What a fantastic webinar with John Owens hosted by Gary Ireland today! John described how top players always self analyzed, are self driven and mentioned how some of the top players played in the streets and in tight spaces when they were young and being scouted by Liverpool. Dont forget, these great players (Gerrard, Carragher, Fowler, McManaman, Owen, came from Liverpool FC but none of them actually played or trained at the actual brand new sate of the art facility designated for youth players. They instead actually trained at Liverpool's Center of Excellence with John and Steve Heighway. They had little equipment and limited facilities (in winter then had 30 players in a basketball gym!) and didnt travel far to play and practice. Having a top facility has not and does not ensure clubs are guaranteed to develop talent. While we all wouldnt mind a great facility, all is needed is a bit of space and a ball. Having great facilities may make one feel important and valued and can provide players with a sense of heightened self worth and self confidence, which isnt a bad thing, and tactically a bigger space can offer aspects you cant find in tighter areas. However, some of the greatest players in the world grew up in less than perfect environment playing on uneven surfaces and challenging environment. John coached the fantastic Joe Cole (West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool, England) and as you heard in the webinar, he learned much of his close control in the housing estate he lived on in London, playing mostly on the concrete.
John also talked about the trend of futsal and how it may bring benefits but also highlighting that one doesn't need to learn to control the ball if it doesn't bounce, thereby removing the need to bring the ball under control. Top players remark on their ability to read the flight of the ball and adjust to imperfect passes came from their experiences on less than perfect surfaces and misshapen balls as they grew up playing the game in their neighborhood or back yard and schoolyard.
The legendary cricketer Don Bradman attests to his incredible batting and catching skills being a result of using a stick, golf ball and uneven surface in his backyard against a water tank. It wasnt the 3-4 sessions a week on world-class quality fields using expensive bats and gloves. It was the 10x the amount of time spent in his backyard alone, with a tiny ball, a piece of wood 1/3 the size of a bat and a ball 1/4 the size of a normal cricket ball, using no gloves throwing against an uneven surface. The anticipation came from anticipating and reacting to the millimetre of difference where the ball flew off the concrete, faster than a cricket ball would ever have done. We hear similar stories of repetition and self practice, mostly alone, by Gretzky, Jordan and Zidane.
John mentioned how when he brought then Liverpool FC and England captain Steven Gerrard back to visit the youth players at the youth Academy, Gerrard said that he always wanted to make sure he was a better player when he left the practice field heading home after practice. Sound familiar? Gary & Carine are always saying to players that they should always practice as you play and challenge yourself to be a better player when you enter the practice field and when you leave to go home. The top players are competitive in every environment and just don't switch on when required. They never switch off! They live, breathe and eat the game. This echoes how we coach and why our teams and players show continuous improvement. Meaningful, and deliberate practice will translate to games.
John's 'Decision Making Tree/Principles of Play', used throughout the world by federations and clubs was on the wall of the main corridor of 'The Academy' for 19 years for every player and coach, both home and away, to see. We use Johns 'Principles Of Play' as a bedrock of our individual/team strategy. We call it common sense! Its brilliant in its simplicity.
After Johns talk today we searched for video of the legendary Robbie Fowler who grew up in the same neighborhood as John in a suburb of Liverpool, Toxteth, and found this great video here of him visiting the streets & walls where he learned to play the game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvPL7UQqq28 While searching for the video we stumbled upon a a great video of Michael Owen, the favorite player of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruynne & Sergio Aguerro. Owen became European Footballer of the Year ('Ballon D'Or') at only 21 years of age and played for Real Madrid.
In the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AShxMDzllq8 as a 15 y.o with the England national youth team you can see John Owens as Michael Owens England head coach. See min 2:50 sec. with Owen describing his time at 'Lilleshaw' the training headquarters for England national teams. He had a shrine to Liverpool F.C in his dorm room, with the main focus on Robbie Fowler. In min 4:30 he said "at a young age i always dreamed of being a professional footballer". In min 5:43 for Johns pre-game talk at Wembley Stadium before England vs Germany youth team game and min 6:27 as again as the team heads down the tunnel. At the 56 second mark in the video Owen says something that supersedes everything and is the hallmark of every great athlete. "i hate losing....i was worst in the family for losing...it even got to the stage when i was small my family had to let me win at games or it was the end of the world".
See Owens incredible Goal vs Argentina in 1999 FIFA World Cup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJge6YhLKsM and see his 3 goals vs Germany in a 5:1 win https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUHTT2VnKao