Welcome David Baird!
David Baird, author of Scoreboard Soccer: Creating the Environment to Develop Young Players joins us today as we celebrate publication. Distribution issues outside of our control have been causing havoc – but you can get your copy NOW!!
Congratulations David! Please tell us a little more about the Scoreboard Soccer concept and what led to its development
The development derives from all the way back to when I played football. My experience as a young player was not a positive one. A lot of standing in a line, or laps of the pitch without getting a touch of a ball, while an over-invested and angry coach barked instructions at us. Although refined over a number of years through my various experiences as a coach, the Scoreboard Soccer concept is very simple and is designed to be games I wish I could have played as a kid. Plenty of freedom just to play football, but there is an innovative twist (the scoreboard) used to encourage, praise and reward children trying their hardest and working as a team.
Kevin Keegan has endorsed the Scoreboard Soccer book. We understand you’ve worked with him before and that he’s a fan of the concept and now the book – he’s written a foreword. How amazing has his involvement and support been?
It’s incredible. He has been so inspirational in the design of Scoreboard Soccer and as you say he thinks the games and idea is brilliant. As I mentioned my experience as a young player wasn’t positive. I wasn’t given freedom to have fun and express myself on the football pitch. Kevin and I worked together at Soccer Circus Glasgow and it was when watching him coach and the design of his games that awoke me to a different way of doing things.
Designing games where kids enjoy themselves, compete to do the best they can, regardless of age or ability and constantly thrive to improve. It was amazing to see the children who attended Soccer Circus work so hard an get better each day, without even realizing it.
The book not only includes the Scoreboard Soccer concept, content and how to coach it, but also a complete Scoreboard Soccer curriculum which can be used as a longer-term development plan. How important is this for coaches?
Scoreboard Soccer is great but it’s not relevant to every coach in every situation. That is why this book gives coaches Scoreboard Soccer games but also other practices, activities, games, session plans and much more. There is a real variety of content, which will battle monotony for players but also expose them to a lot of different experiences and therefore enhance their holistic learning of the sport.
What age is the concept aimed at?
Although I use Scoreboard Soccer with children mostly aged between 8 and 16, it can be modified for all age groups and the book is full of content for both older and younger players.
Have you always been interested in football? Your passion for it is very evident. When did you know you wanted to coach?
I’ve loved football for as long as I can remember. Watching / going to games with family and friends. Playing in the street with my brothers or with friends or by myself. Football brings me so much joy and through coaching and my role as a football development officer, I am fortunate enough to create opportunities for others to enjoy football and the endless benefits being involved in the game brings.
So what’s next, David?
The exciting thing about football is you never know. I enjoy coaching talented female players through the Scottish FA regional performance squads programme, but the next day I tend to be working with boys and girls in a primary school. I help at a local visually impaired football session and spend many evenings coach educating volunteers in the grassroots game. Football is unpredictable and unavoidable, it could take me anywhere next, the only thing for certain is whatever comes next for me, it will have something to do with the game I love.
Thank you so much for joining us today, David – and congratulations again on the publication of Scoreboard Soccer: Creating the Environment to Develop Young Players!
Scoreboard Soccer is available now through all good bookstores and online retailers. We are so looking forward to hearing what you all think of it. Please do take the time to leave reviews on the buying platforms. We know they are going to be great!!