Foot and Ball Academy

09/06/2026

06/06/2026

free time, free play, game play.

Three different environments during a child's growth.

Free time: Almost a totally deregulated environment where the child is tasked with occupying themselves. e.g. playing in the back yard/ park, etc.

Free play: A player-centred game of some sort with commonly agreed upon rules amongst the participants. Maximum imagination, No regulation. E.g. backyard footy, cricket, etc.

Game Play: A heavily regulated adult environment in which the child participates with the intention of respecting all boundaries. E.g. An adult organised training session or game day.

Each environment is vital to fostering development.

Know the difference, and which one you child might need more of at the time.

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05/06/2026

- All minutes are equal.

Your child's game on the weekend is defined by a certain number of minutes played.

- All minutes are equal.

Those Saturday minutes are no different from the minutes during the week. Last time I checked, science is pretty clear on this.

- All minutes are equal.

What your child does DURING the minutes throughout a week FAR outweighs the 40-60 minutes on a Saturday.

- All minutes are equal.

We are talking 3 - 4 hours of contact with a ball either in isolation or in a training game vs less than an hour on a Saturday morning. More touches, more play, more participation, more development.

- All minutes are equal

The fact that they are told that Saturday time is important vs any game opportunity mid - week sabotages development.

Next time you're planning your week and prioritizing some Saturday game. Remember, all minutes are equal. Don't waste the ones during the week. As cumulatively, they count for WAY MORE!

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03/06/2026

There's seems to be misconceptions about what football is.

It's an intensifying "solution-orientated" team game between two sides.

The youth aspect is about helping guide the child to develop TOP TIER problem solving skills and solutions to a wide variety of problems.

What I see mostly on weekends amongst grassroots games is what I have termed "carnage" ball.

That is, there is never more than two passes in a row, and practically zero dribbles from any player.

It is just boot and chase, boot and chase. PANIC, boot and chase.

I've seen 14-to-16-year-old boys’ control some of these aerial balls with a GREAT first touch, only seconds later to THRASH it back the other end, thinking this is the best in-game solution...

Not football.

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01/06/2026

Panic is NOT passion in this game.

A youth player scrunching up their face, looking intense, on their toes, focused only to SMASH the crap out of the ball is NOT a good player.

Some of the greatest artists in our game over time looked almost emotionless when they played.

Their PASSION was expressed via what they did with the ball to help SOLVE in-game predicaments they found themselves in.

Panic is NOT passion in this game.

23/05/2026

Yup! Wednesday nights! GameIQ.
A PROPER foundation phase playing environment.

“Football IQ is the art of making the right decision under pressure. I believe the best players slow the game down in their minds, even when everything on the pitch is moving fast. Understanding movement, having a good first touch, and staying calm when pressure arrives, these are the small things that help you make better decisions.”

— Luka Modrić
Source
📖 Moja igra (My Game)
Autobiografija — Luka Modrić i Robert Matteoni
Hermes, Zagreb, 2019.

20/05/2026

Hi all,

This school term (2) I am running an OPEN and FREE coaching session on Sundays evenings, 4.30pm - 6pm, hosted by Bligh Park FC (Berger Road, South Windsor).

The target audience is anyone turning 14 years and OLDER this year. We currently have a good mix of adults and youth.

Due to the season start, injury, fatigue from weekend games close to this time, etc we have dropped slightly in numbers.

If you know any players in the 14+ age range that might be KEEN and CAPABLE, please let me know!

Disclaimer: the sessions are intense and demanding.

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07/05/2026

Great start to Term 2! Peak season as winter is here.

Quick update: a few spots left for interested players turning seven, eight, or nine this year.

Thursday evenings. 5pm - 6pm (3 spots left) or 6pm - 7pm (1 spot left).

Interested in checking it out, register for a trial! footandball.com.au/register

From what I've witnessed so far in my coaching journey, better to start earlier rather than later!

25/04/2026

wow! What an achievement. I have shared lots of this man's content before! It's important. This aids in further validating his impact!

Truly humbled and deeply grateful to be recognized among the Top 10 Most Influential People in Japanese Football.

To be mentioned alongside individuals who have shaped, elevated, and defined the game in Japan is an honor beyond words. Many of those on this list are not only giants of the sport, but also people I’ve had the privilege to learn from, collaborate with, and call friends.

After decades of working in Japan, this recognition means a great deal. It reflects not just my journey, but the incredible people, clubs, and communities who have been part of it along the way.

Football in Japan is built on passion, discipline, and continuous growth, and I’m proud to have contributed, in my own way, to that story.

Thank you for the recognition.

04/04/2026

Happy Easter, all!

Two session slots still avilable for the DIY Holiday morning privates.

Visit the link to see if they suit!

1-hour Holiday Small Group Session1 playerp/p: $55 | Group total: $552 playersp/p: $40 | Group total: $803 playersp/p: $32 | Group total: $964 playersp/p: $25 | Group total: $1005 players+ring for consult. P: 0452 583 279