DECISION MAKING & PRINCIPLES OF PLAY WEBINAR John Owens & Gary Ireland 01/19/24

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John created the ‘Principles of Play-Decision-Making Tree’ (POP) chart in 1980 using it as an instructor on the FA B Licence course for and later at Liverpool FC when he was a coach and Academy Manager using for player and coach education. A large poster of the diagram (see below) was located in the downstairs reception hall at The Academy between 1992-2011. Visitors to the LFC Academy were given copies of the diagram and numerous leagues, coaching license course (including UEFA), and coach education course. 

• Liverpool F.C Academy Manager/Asst Academy Director 19 yrs (9 yrs part time 1992-2001 & 10 yrs full time 2001-2011)
• Won FA Youth Cup twice. 2nd & 3rd time in Liverpool FC history 
• Coached Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Steve McManaman, Steven Warnock
• Recruited Raheem Sterling to Liverpool FC

Principles of Play-Decision Making (‘POP’) is a foundation on which systems & formation/tactics are laid. Used by Federations curriculums, Coach Organizations, Leagues, Clubs and Coaching license courses worldwide

• Presented ‘POP’ for Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) at Indian Football Coaches Convention Mumbai-July 2018
• Presented ‘POP’ to professional clubs & their academies for DoublePass including EPL, EFL, MLS/USA, Italy, Norway, Greece Japan J-League, India, Canada, Hungary
• Trinidad & Tobago Federation
• Technical Director/Head of Individual Technical Development of Hungarian 1st Division club Puskas Academy Peter Horvath utilized John's 'POP' since 2003
• Presented 'POP' to USA youth soccer clubs PSV Union FC, Laguna Eclipse FC & NorCal Youth Soccer League

“There have been considerable changes in the systems of play developed over the years, and certainly in the tactical use of players. The fact that these developments should attract so much attention is, to some extent, a commentary on the lack of basic understanding on the part of clubs, players and spectators. Too often, a new system is looked upon as the solution to all problems. Players are made to fit a system rather than a system being adapted to suit the players. Such a policy inevitably leads to restriction and the creative and imaginative ability of a player is submerged. Eleven basically good footballers should be able to adopt any system of play to suit the circumstances of the moment.The basic problem for players and coaches is one of understanding. We must be capable of presenting the game in such a way as to make its problems coherent at all levels. The principles of the game must be the foundation upon which systems of play and tactical considerations are developed”

Allen Wade Director of Coaching at the FA. ‘The FA Guide to Training and Coaching’ (published 1967)