Simon Hodge

Simon Hodge Developing Coaches. Developing People.

Improving Performance. ⚽️ | Coach Developer | Director | Founder | Former Academy Coach

A real pleasure to support the launch of The Kent FA RISE and SHINE Female Coach Development Network in my role as an Th...
13/09/2026

A real pleasure to support the launch of The Kent FA RISE and SHINE Female Coach Development Network in my role as an The Football Association Coach Developer.

It was fantastic to work with Craig Coles in supporting the coaches from across the county, sharing ideas and exploring coaching practices together. These opportunities provide valuable space for coaches to connect, build confidence and learn from one another.

For me, coach development is about supporting the person as well as their practice, recognising individual strengths, developing the coach to develop the player, encouraging discussion and helping coaches in thier journey.

Thank you to David Webb and the Kent FA team for bringing this network together, and to all the coaches who contributed to such a positive launch. Proud to have played a part in an initiative that creates more opportunities for female coaches to develop, thrive and shape the game.

Calling all Coaches! Do you believe in the Learn, Adapt, Evolve process? Coach. Educate. Perform.
04/09/2026

Calling all Coaches!

Do you believe in the Learn, Adapt, Evolve process?

Coach. Educate. Perform.

⚽️ Coaches. Take a look at my top tips and considerations when selecting your team. Coach. Educate. Perform.
02/09/2026

⚽️ Coaches.

Take a look at my top tips and considerations when selecting your team.

Coach. Educate. Perform.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT IS A TEAM EFFORT.Developing a young player isn’t just about what happens between the coach and the pl...
31/08/2026

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT IS A TEAM EFFORT.

Developing a young player isn’t just about what happens between the coach and the player.

It is influenced by the people around them, the environments they experience and the life they live away from the pitch.

Parents. Teachers. Friends. Previous coaches. Mentors. Medical teams. Education. Supporters.

But also…

⚽ The environments they’ve played in
🧠 Their life experiences
💔 Their setbacks, heartbreak and sadness
🏃 Their exposure to different sports
🏘️ The area they live in
🌍 Their origins and individual story

Every player arrives with a story.

The better we understand that story, the better we can coach, support and develop the person behind the player.

Because a truly player-centred approach means seeing more than just the performance.

It takes a team around the player.

Coach. Educate. Perform.

Who has the biggest influence on your players development?

FINE MARGINS Matchday communication improves when the message is both short and visible. Before kick-off I use the tacti...
30/08/2026

FINE MARGINS

Matchday communication improves when the message is both short and visible.

Before kick-off I use the tactics board to identify three key focus areas:

1. Our team match day objectives.
2. Visually displaying key trigger moments. Playing out form the back, pressing from the front etc. Linked to previous training week.
3. Visual examples of set-plays and restarts.

At half-time, I wipe it clean and only redraw what needs to change. Players do not need a replay of everything that went wrong; they need a clear picture of what to do next to develop the team, units and individuals linked to the match day objectives.

That thinking shaped the Pro Perform UK carry tactics board: a full-size magnetic, dry-wipe pitch, a marker and eraser, and a handle that makes it practical from training ground to touchline.

The board is a tool. The value comes from the clarity the coach puts on it.

What is the maximum number of messages you give at half-time?

As part of my England Football role with Kent FA David Webb has arranged the below CPD event which I am delighted to be ...
26/08/2026

As part of my England Football role with Kent FA David Webb has arranged the below CPD event which I am delighted to be supporting.

We are delighted to inform and invite all football coaches to the FREE launch of our specialist Coach Development networks for female coaches and coaches from historically underrepresented communities in Kent on Monday 7th September, 19:00PM at Larkfield & New Hythe FC.
 
These networks are designed to strengthen representation, belonging, learning, and progression opportunities. On the night we are delighted to be joined by current London City Lionesses player and Lionesses Legend, Nikita Parris who will discuss the importance of representation and role models, overcoming barriers and further enhancing inclusivity across the game through networking and breakout discussions.

This will be followed by practical deliveries from our expert FA Coach Developers who will explore and demonstrate sessions which bring out coaching capabilities, fundamentals and principles.

Please see below details for booking on;
 
SHINE: FEMALE COACHES & RISE: DIVERSE COACHES NETWORKS LAUNCH JOINED BY ENGLAND LEGEND NIKITA PARRIS

📅 Monday 7th September 2026 at 19:00-21:30

📍 Larkfield & New Hythe FC, Eden Estates Stadium, 251a New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6PU

FREE FOR ALL Book here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=kCXJRcbM-UaA_5_I2e3eOZMV-31prdBFtCXHTHobXrhUODlIQTc1V1RSMkVSU1RYTzUxWkdWSFE5OC4u

FINE MARGINS “Not ready yet” is not the same as “not capable”. Young players develop at different speeds, physically, te...
23/08/2026

FINE MARGINS

“Not ready yet” is not the same as “not capable”.

Young players develop at different speeds, physically, technically, tactically, socially and emotionally. A decision made at one moment can become a label that follows them negativley.

Coaches can keep the door open by asking:

• What has improved in the last eight weeks?
• What support would unlock the next step?
• Is the player struggling with the task, the explanation or the environment?
• Are we comparing them with the correct reference point?

Selection decisions are sometimes necessary, play them, sometimes they may struggle, sometimes they may surprise you. They wont develop unless they have an opportunity to play, so play them!

The fine margin is to describe what you can currently observe now, but is that the correct observation for the “future player”?

Which player surprised you after being given more time?

Coach. Educate. Perform.

The best coaches don’t just demand performance.They create the conditions and the environment for it to occur. My 3️⃣ no...
22/08/2026

The best coaches don’t just demand performance.They create the conditions and the environment for it to occur.

My 3️⃣ non-negotiables for the players I coach are:-

1. Respect the game.
Respect your teammates, opponents, officials, coaches and everyone who contributes to the game.

2. Give maximum effort and attention.
Performance is built through consistency. How you train, listen, respond and compete matters every day.

3. Own your development.
Be curious. Ask questions. Learn from mistakes. Seek feedback. Take responsibility for becoming better.

Player development isn’t something that just happens to a player. It’s something we help them take ownership of.

That’s the role of the coach. What’s your non negotiables?

Coach. Educate. Perform.

Players are more likely to take risks, ask questions and recover from mistakes when they feel that they are trusted, dev...
21/08/2026

Players are more likely to take risks, ask questions and recover from mistakes when they feel that they are trusted, developed effectively and that they belong.

Player development starts before the coaching session.

A coach can create trust and belonging through small, repeatable behaviours:

• Greet every player by name, perhaps even a handshake?
• Explain what thier development success looks like, and how you aim to help
• Give everyone trust and a meaningful role
• Observe effort and decision-making, not just the outcomes
• Correct the action, develop the person

These behaviours are especially important for young people who have not always had a positive experience of education, teams or authority.

At Sports Connect UK the strongest progress often begins when a learner feels safe and trusted enough to participate and perform.

Performance matters. But people usually perform better when there is a positive environment created.

How do you create a positive environment?

Coach. Educate. Perform.

FINE MARGINS A simple way to check whether a session connects to the full game is to use a three-zone tactics-board test...
16/08/2026

FINE MARGINS

A simple way to check whether a session connects to the full game is to use a three-zone tactics-board test.

On the board, mark:
• where the team is trying to progress the ball
• where the opposition is most likely to apply pressure
• what happens in the first few seconds after possession changes

If the practice only trains one action in one fixed area, ask whether the players are seeing enough of the game picture.

I use a Pro Perform UK board because it makes the plan visible. It helps me remove unnecessary detail before the players arrive and explain the purpose quickly once they do.

The aim is not to fill the pitch with arrows. It is to make the key pictures clearer.

What is the one game picture your next session must recreate?

Are you looking for a Tactic Board? Head over to see what Pro Perform have to offer https://sportsconnect.uk/pro-perform/

Coach. Educate. Perform

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Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue
Ramsgate
CT11 0AN

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