For the final part of the session, I organized a small-sided game. I split the players into two teams and gave them a simple instruction: "Go and play. Show me what you've learned. Express yourselves. Take risks. Make mistakes. That's how you get better."
It was beautiful. They played with a freedom, a creativity, a joy that was infectious. They were trying things, they were taking risks, they were playing with a smile on their faces.
It was everything I believed football should be. It was fast, it was fluid, it was full of movement and rotation. It was a joy to watch. I felt a surge of pride as I watched them play, a sense of satisfaction that went beyond just passing an exam. This was what coaching was all about. This was why I did it.
When I blew the final whistle, the players applauded. They were tired, they were sweating, but they were happy. They had enjoyed it. They had learned something.
"Thanks, lads," I said. "You were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."
