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David Garcia David Garcia

The Next and Most Necessary Thing: How to instill a transitioning mindset

Learn how Phil Foden’s short-term memory sets him apart from the rest. Explore the transformative power of quick transitions in football, with insights from Pep Guardiola, lessons from Barcelona's iconic counterpressing era, and training considerations that will start to create the transitioning mindset.

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article David Garcia article David Garcia

Momentum Does Not Exist: Train for the process, not the result

What is “momentum”? What is “energy”? Why are we influenced by external factors? It’s something that all players deal with, including professional players. I’m going to answer those questions and how to avoid it all together with first-hand experience and with the help of Ange Postecoglou.

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Thinking Frameworks Solve Your Problems
article David Garcia article David Garcia

Thinking Frameworks Solve Your Problems

When you consistently use frameworks as guide rails, it maps out a process for your mind to follow and better solve your problems. When you don’t have a logical structure or framework you are leaving your mind exposed to chaos.

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Relationism vs. Positionism: What's it really about?
David Garcia David Garcia

Relationism vs. Positionism: What's it really about?

I finally figured out Relationism vs. Positionism. 

I have to admit it has taken me many months. Looking back at it, perhaps it was my ego that prevented me from seeing what was there all along. Eventually, the lightbulb moment came all at once in one quick swoop. 

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Positional Play Training Series: Introduction
David Garcia David Garcia

Positional Play Training Series: Introduction

Rondos and Positional Games are problematic. They are not realistic enough. They lack direction. They don’t provide enough of the game. This is tiresome and I want to end the madness once and for all. I want to strip down Positional Play Training Methodology to show the logic, reason, and purpose behind this type of training. I want to show how Rondos and Positional Games do not have to be binary.

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A New Experience, A New You
David Garcia David Garcia

A New Experience, A New You

Unrooting yourself is scary. You realise everything you know about yourself lies within the familiarity of our home, our routine, familiar faces. The different surroundings of an unknown place serve as mirror. You think you are experiencing a new place, but in reality you’re forced to see yourself in a new way like you’ve never had to do before.

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The Socio-Affective Superiority: Messi and Jordi Alba Case Study
David Garcia David Garcia

The Socio-Affective Superiority: Messi and Jordi Alba Case Study

I have written extensively on numerical, positional and qualitative, but I have never detailed what the socio-affective superiority looks like and how you might approach further developing it. This is most likely the topic I receive the most questions about: what is socio-affective superiority? Jordi Alba and Messi can teach us a few things…

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Better Football Language Means Better Football
David Garcia David Garcia

Better Football Language Means Better Football

The British philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “The limits of my language are the limits of my world.” Our language can either expand or diminish our ability to think. An expansive, descriptive football language can expand our ability to describe, explain and solve football.

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Messi: The First and Last of His Kind
article David Garcia article David Garcia

Messi: The First and Last of His Kind

What if we never get to see someone like Messi. It’s been said that there will never be anyone like the Argentine. Simultaneously, that saddens me and makes me grateful. Saddens me for future football fans and fills me with gratitude I was with Leo for the better part of my life.

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David Garcia David Garcia

The Power of Observation

Purposeful observation unlocks many doors in the realm of coaching. As Dr. Ceri Bowley states, “What you see dictates how you act.”

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The Paradox of Choice: Coaching with Option Making
article David Garcia article David Garcia

The Paradox of Choice: Coaching with Option Making

In order to make correct decisions, one must master the skill of knowing where to look and what to pay attention to in order to satisfy the constraint or objective. When speaking about this topic with Chris Bentley, he introduced me to this idea of option making instead of decision making.

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