A grassroots coach might get 60 or 90 minutes with their players each week.
There’s a lot to fit into that time. Technical work. Small-sided games. Team shape. Match preparation. Set pieces.
But one of the hardest things to develop is also one of the most important: decision-making.
Because ultimately, a coach can’t make the decision for a player once they’re on the pitch. The player has to see what’s happening, recognise their options and decide what to do.
So what if some of that development could continue after training finishes? That’s one simple way coaches can use Become Unplayable cards.
Give them football homework
Don’t worry. We’re not suggesting worksheets and an hour of studying.
At the end of training, choose one Become Unplayable card. Show the players the scenario. Then send them away with one question: “What would you do?”
That’s their football homework. They can look at the scenario again at home, think about the different options and decide what they would do.
You could even send the card number to parents so they know which scenario their child should look at. Then revisit it at the next training session.
Don’t give them the answer
This is where it becomes interesting. When you bring the players back together, resist the temptation to immediately explain the “right” decision.
Ask them. What did you choose? Why? What did you notice first? Would anything make you change your decision?
You might get three different answers. Good. Now you’ve got a football conversation.
One player might have spotted space. Another might have noticed the position of a defender. Someone else might be thinking about where their teammate is going to move next.
That’s exactly what you want. You’re encouraging players to look, think and explain, rather than simply wait for the coach to tell them what to do.
Then take the idea onto the pitch
This is where the cards can become even more useful for coaches. Take the principle from the scenario and build it into the next session.
For example, if the card is about recognising an unmarked teammate, you might create a small-sided game where players regularly face similar decisions.
Now there’s a connection between the scenario they’ve thought about at home and what they’re experiencing on the pitch. The card starts the thought process. Training brings it to life.
One card is enough
There’s no need to send players home with ten scenarios every week. In fact, we’d argue against it.
Choose one. Ideally, choose something connected to what you’re currently working on as a team.
Give them time to think about it. Then revisit it.
Over the course of a season, one scenario a week could expose your players to dozens of different football situations without taking meaningful time away from training.
You’re developing thinkers, not just followers
Young players receive a lot of instructions. Pass. Shoot. Press. Drop. Run. Mark.
Sometimes the player becomes very good at following the instruction but less confident when they have to solve the problem themselves.
Matches aren’t predictable. The picture constantly changes. Players need to recognise what’s happening and make decisions for themselves.
That’s why the question behind Become Unplayable is so simple: What would you do?
Not: Can you remember what your coach told you to do? There’s a big difference.
Try it at your next training session
At the end of your next session, choose one Become Unplayable card. Give your players the scenario. Don’t tell them the answer.
Tell them you’ll ask them about it next week. Then see what they come back with. You may learn something about how your players see the game too.
Develop Better Decision-Makers with Become Unplayable
The Become Unplayable Foundation Pack contains 50 game scenarios designed to get young footballers thinking about the situations they face on the pitch.
Coaches can use them before training, during sessions, as football homework or simply to start better conversations about the game.
