MSc Football Coaching and Analysis

This module will enable you to develop awareness and understanding of the key fundamentals and principles of football match analysis, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football match analysis will allow you to gain experience in and an understanding of match analysis, hardware, software and programmes. You will learn what an analyst requires to function effectively and safely in a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied performance analysis context. You will learn how to operate contemporary analysis programmes, integrate theory with practice and conduct then deliver performance analysis in the football context.

This module will work on a real-life case study centred around personal coaching contexts, in order to create a fully considered and justified coaching development plan. As practising coaches, you will be expected to draw upon previous knowledge and skills gained and imbed new theoretical knowledge drawn from other modules. You will be required to critically evaluate the core competencies needed to be effective in your coaching contexts. Following this, you will critically analyse your own coaching practice to evaluate levels of coaching effectiveness and the impact you have on performers. A personal development plan will be produced to highlight current gaps in knowledge and/ or skill and how these can be developed in order to become a more effective coach.

This module will teach you how to critically analyse the strategies and tactics of association football exploring the different moments of the game and principles of play. In order to develop advanced tactical knowledge, you will explore different styles and systems of play and associated tactics and strategies. Drawing on your own coaching experience and context. You will explore the efficiency of your coaching practice and subsequently explore any knowledge gaps for further development. The module will help you design your own ‘game model’ of performance and integrate tactical periodisation into the effective planning for team performance encompassing a holistic approach to practice. You will be expected to critically explore the challenges faced in implementing a game model approach within your context.

This module will advance your research methods and critical thinking skills, and support you in applying these to the sports industry and its associated environments. This module will prepare you for research, reflective, and evidence-based development in future employment, as well as for higher study if applicable.

Leadership is a fundamental element of both sport and business operating in a dynamic global arena. On this module you will review and conceptualise different approaches to leadership from both an applied and theoretical perspective to allow you to analyse critical incidents in order to judge organisational leadership performance. You will be able to apply leadership theory to examples from industry professionals who have experience of leading teams in a sporting setting. Cross-cultural leadership underpins many of the behaviours and skills discussed within the leadership framework, alongside diversity and inclusion, strategic leadership, communication and reflection. The module allows you to take responsibility for your own leadership development and effectiveness through the development of an eportfolio and skills audit, alongside exposure to sports leaders from the global network of partners contributing to the live case studies.

This module will explore the process of reflection, its role in the development of knowledge and coaching expertise and its subsequent impact on practice. You will examine and critically evaluate the key factors associated with a sound reflective process and what it is to be an effective reflective practitioner. In addition, you will review reflective processes and will develop a model of reflection, informed by a critical evaluation of existing models and current literature in this and other relevant fields.

This module will enable you to develop awareness and analysis of the key fundamentals and principles of football statistics and data, integrating theory with practice and sharing knowledge and understanding through discussion and debate. The applied element of football will allow you to gain experience and develop an understanding of data drawn from both competition and training contexts. You will learn which data is needed to function effectively and safely within a variety of situations, developing reflective skills and identifying which theories are most applicable when working in a specific applied football context. You will learn how to analyse data, integrate theory with practice and work with differing departments within a football club in order to improve practice and performance.

This module will explore personal coaching philosophies, the impacts this has on coaching practice and the challenges faced in demonstrating these in current coaching environments. You will examine how your personal coaching philosophies have developed as well as how these are demonstrated in practice. Also, you will propose any areas of personal and professional development needed to be undertaken in the progression of your coaching careers.