A Shift In Pedagogy: A Games-Based Approach To Football (Soccer) Training

Authors

• Melissa Thompson, The University of Southern Mississippi
• Mohammed El-Zare, The University of Southern Mississippi
• Juan Cediel Cervantes, The University of Southern Mississippi
• Darby Pittman, The University of Southern Mississippi

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

1-1-2026

School

Kinesiology and Nutrition

Abstract

Chapter 10 is situated within a US Collegiate Division 1 women’s soccer team, where the head coach has been working for more than 12 years. Coach El-Zare described his coaching as highly structured and well planned, but recently he lost his passion for the game. He decided to shift his approach to constraints-based pedagogy quite suddenly. This chapter outlines the difficulties associated with such a change, from coach, assistant coach, and athlete perspectives, and offers an appreciation of the pedagogical knowledge required for effective athlete development.

Publication Title

Case Studies in Sport Coaching and Development Practice Meets Theory

First Page

180

Last Page

192

Recommended Citation

Thompson, M., El-Zare, M., Cervantes, J., Pittman, D. (2026). A Shift In Pedagogy: A Games-Based Approach To Football (Soccer) Training. Case Studies in Sport Coaching and Development Practice Meets Theory, 180-192.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/22099