Coaching is much more than just a well-organized series of exercises

The culture of work should allow the coach to go beyond conventional actions, avoiding being trapped in habitual mindsets that often lead to passively accepting training principles and their applications. Instead, one must question their own beliefs and remain open-minded to new solutions.

Coaching is not just about teaching a technique or tactic, and for the player, it’s not just about learning—even if what must be learned is complex and its execution requires a high level of mastery. Coaching and training mean using one’s cognitive, emotional, and motor intelligence to teach and learn how to understand and execute what needs to be done in order to achieve performance levels that aim to optimize match performance.

To plan a training program focused on improving athletic performance, it’s essential that the player and coach—and the team as a whole—share the objectives to be achieved through the intended training.

As already explained, in sports, performance refers to the motor behavior produced in response to a task that can be measured, whereas skill refers to the competence required to deliver a performance at a given level.
To improve performance, training must aim to develop within the team the idea of “thinking while moving,” which means always having a guiding idea behind each game action.
This approach can be applied in a basic way for beginners, or in a technically more refined and targeted manner as experience grows.

There is no game action without thought, so learning or training means moving with a mental representation of what one intends to do.

(Source: Alberto Cei, Palla al centro, Bologna: Il Mulino)

Emotions in sports are so relevant

Sports competitions now occupy almost the entire year, making it nearly impossible to take stock of a sports season. Among the many topics that could be discussed to define successes or failures, good or bad seasons, one key aspect is the psychological component of sport—particularly the emotions it stirs in its main actors: the athletes, the coaches (very few of whom are women at the top level), and the support staff.

If we look at what the media are presenting these days, we see the use of words and thoughts that focus almost exclusively on emotions. Inter players are still recovering from the disappointment of the Champions League; at Juventus, there’s a sense of renewed energy; Sinner’s self-control is admired; in tennis, some female players are slipping down the rankings because they no longer feel like making the necessary sacrifices; Antonio Conte led Napoli to win the championship more thanks to his leadership than his tactical ideas; and Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone are two women who pour their passion into their athletic careers.

The existential dimension dominates the sporting careers of athletes, highlighting the importance of always taking care of oneself, regardless of whether the results are good or bad. The examples mentioned involve top performers who, in theory, should be supported by the best professionals—and yet even at that level, this essential need is often not adequately met.

However, the more serious issue does not concern these top athletes, who can choose whichever professionals they want. The real concern lies with other athletes—young adolescents or those in sports that struggle to have a qualified support team. These individuals face the same psychological challenges but often have to deal with them alone or in environments that are not sensitive to these matters.

Even worse, they may fall prey to unqualified mental coaches or to psychologists who, although trained, do not understand the world of sports and therefore provide inadequate support.

Ten years of “Calcio Insieme”: Principles, goals, and results of the Integrated Football Academy

Ten years after the launch of the Integrated Football Academy, aimed at children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, we would like to share the guiding principles that have informed our work from the very beginning.

Not just doing good, but doing it well
From the outset, our goal as a sports association was not only to offer football as an activity, but also to systematically monitor and document the results achieved. We chose to move beyond the simplistic notion that sport, in itself, is inherently beneficial. Instead, we sought to clearly illustrate which specific motor, athletic, and psychosocial areas are positively impacted through structured practice.

A real football school
We focused on children with autism between the ages of 6 and 12, as early childhood is a critical period for introducing sports. This is when fundamental motor patterns are established and initial experiences of social interaction begin. We also aimed to counteract the high risk of sedentary behavior commonly seen in this population.

Football as a tool for inclusion and social integration
Through regular participation in the Academy’s activities, children were offered a meaningful group experience, sustained throughout the entire sports season, alongside their peers, coaches, and sports psychologists. This experience facilitated, to varying degrees, the acquisition of social norms such as greetings at the beginning and end of training sessions, respect for peers and adults, and the ability to follow structured sessions led by trained professionals.

A multidisciplinary team
From the beginning, we built a team composed of sports professionals with diverse skill sets: football coaches, graduates in Sports Science, and sports psychologists, supported in the field by a speech therapist and a medical doctor. All staff members participated in a 32-hour training course specifically designed and delivered by our team.

Everyone can learn
By combining clinical diagnoses, family insights, and direct observation on the field, we assessed each child’s level of functioning. This allowed us to provide personalized instruction, identifying who needed one-on-one support and who was ready to work in small groups of three children per coach.

Integration with typically developing peers
From the very first year, we organized joint training sessions with children from AS Roma’s football school. Starting in the second year, we also facilitated on-field meetings with the participants’ classmates, further enhancing opportunities for social integration and peer interaction.

Fostering a sense of belonging among families and youth
Another key objective has been to nurture a strong sense of community—not only among the children, but also among their families and the project staff. Over these ten years, we have successfully built a supportive and engaged community that plays an active role in the success of Calcio Insieme.

The intensity and consistency value in tennis

In tennisintensity and consistency are two fundamental qualities for playing a match effectively, and they are closely linked to the player’s mental attitude, especially for young athletes who are still developing technically and emotionally.

This concept of intensity and consistency is not only valid for professional players, but it is equally important for 14-year-olds who have been playing for several years and regularly participate in tournaments.

1. Same principles, different levels

Professionals have trained for years to maintain intensity and consistency, but the underlying mechanisms are the sameeven for players who are still growing. A 14-year-old boy or girl who plays tournaments already has a solid technical base and understands the rhythm of competition. At this point, mental attitude makes the difference, just like it does at the highest level.

2. Training the right mindset from a young age

If a young athlete learns to:

  • step onto the court with intensity,
  • face difficulties without giving up,
  • avoid lapses in concentration,

they are already developing the qualities that will help them at every stage of their sporting career. In essence, learning to play using the right mindset is not something to postpone until adulthood—it must be built now, in every practice and in every match.

3. Youth tournaments are a real testing ground

In youth tournaments, matches are often unpredictable: one set might be won 6-1, and the next lost 1-6. This happens because young players are still learning to manage emotions and maintain focus. Those who begin to understand the importance of mental intensity and consistency in their game gain a real advantage.

4. Personal responsibility and growth

At 14, a tennis player has already played enough matches to know that just “playing well” is not enough to win: it takes presence, fight, and belief in their own game, even during tough moments. This means taking responsibility for one’s attitude and using every match as a chance to grow, not just as a result to achieve.

In conclusion, the qualities of intensity and consistency apply to everyone—from professionals to young players competing in tournaments. Those who start to develop them seriously by the age of 14 are preparing not only to become stronger players, but also to better handle pressure, difficult moments, and long-term progress in their sporting journey.

The Italian football is searching a new scapegoat

In these days of chaos for the Italian national football team, the main commentators have blamed the defeat against Norway, in the World Cup qualifying match, on the poor technical level of the players, while the coach Luciano Spalletti himself expressed regret at not having been able to do his job to the best of his ability.

I do not want to question these explanations, nor those that blame the FIGC and its president.

What I would like to know, instead, is what was done beforehand to build a united team, aware of the difficulties and the tasks that awaited them.

We all know—or at least we all should know—that if a team lacks great individual talent and a well-oiled playing style, it should not give up, but rather be ready to fight for every inch of the pitch, with players ready to step in when a teammate is about to face trouble. In essence, regardless of everything else, never give up an inch. Be tenacious, which means continuing to do what you’ve been doing, even after you’ve done it.

With this in mind, I wonder how the days leading up to the match were spent, how these issues were addressed in training and technical meetings—or whether, as I have often seen happen, only technical-tactical matters were discussed, detached from the human factor. It’s too easy to claim that the available players were just not good enough—what does that even help?

It’s easy to say they didn’t show pride in wearing the Azzurri shirt—but how were they supposed to develop that pride, when they don’t even play for Italian clubs because they’re overlooked in favor of any foreign player, and have grown up under agents more focused on inflating their fees than anything else? Of course, everyone should develop a sense of belonging—which, after all, is one of our fundamental human needs—but who was supposed to teach them that?

Unfortunately, these themes are of no interest—so let them go on finding a new scapegoat each time.

Sinner e Alcaraz: The duels

Sport is so captivating because of its ability to offer breathless duels between two athletes.
Among the most memorable are the cycling rivalries between Coppi and Bartali, or Merckx and Gimondi; in motorsport, those between Biaggi and Rossi; and in tennis, the epic battles between Nadal and Federer, later joined by Djokovic.
We spectators are drawn to these showdowns for one simple reason: we don’t know how they’ll end.
People often say, “May the best player win,” but it would be more accurate to say, “May the one who is the best todaywin.”
Victory isn’t something you earn once and for all — each time, you have to start over, just like in Joseph Conrad’s novella The Duel, and its film adaptation The Duellists by Ridley Scott, which tells the story of two men who, during the Napoleonic Wars, chase each other across Europe to settle a personal grudge.

In sports, that same drive for personal redemption is sublimated into the pursuit of dominance over an opponent — but within a public, carefully regulated confrontation overseen by a referee who ensures that the rules are respected.

Yesterday, we witnessed one of these historic battles between two extraordinary tennis players, both young, the top two in the world rankings, representing not only the present but also the next decade of the sport.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz played a historic match for several reasons.
It was the longest final in Roland Garros history: 5 hours and 29 minutes.
But these numbers aren’t just trivia for statisticians — they reflect the immense value these athletes placed on each point, showcasing their tenacity.
Being tenacious means doing what you’ve already done, again, even when it becomes harder.
That’s not a tongue twister — it’s the essence of perseverance: playing with the same intensity and physical energy even when you’re two sets down, like Alcaraz, or continuing to push and stay focused without resorting to desperate shots, even when fatigue sets in or after the disappointment of losing three match points, as happened to Sinner.

Some might say, “Well, they’re champions — that’s why they can do that.”
But I see it the other way around: they became champions because they trained to show up like that when it counts.
What sets them apart is their ability to stay locked into the match, giving as little space as possible to either joy or disappointment, and always staying focused on their game, regardless of the score.

For all these reasons, I believe it’s fair to say we witnessed a historic match. And we can expect more of the same every time they face off again.
But the day after such a battle, the time comes to recover, physically and mentally. To return to everyday life.
And Sinner reminded us of that with humility, saying he would now spend time with his family — and that his father wasn’t at the match… because he was at work

The tennis psychological characteristics

There is much talk about tennis, but too often, beyond general psychological explanations, there is little illustration of what seem to be the sport’s key characteristics.

Sport of Opposition

Tennis is an individual opposition sport, where the goal is to dominate the opponent through your own game. It’s not just about hitting correct or winning shots, but about imposing a strategy, reading the opponent’s, and constantly adapting to what happens on court. The match unfolds as a continuous mental duel, where every point is a psychological battle.

Undefined Duration and Mental Endurance

One of tennis’s most distinctive traits is its unpredictable match duration. Unlike other timed sports, a match can last from under an hour to over five hours, depending on the score and balance of play. This demands long-term management of physical and especially mental fatigue. The player must pace their energy, maintain focus, and stay mentally sharp even after hours of intense play.

Error Management

Tennis involves a high number of errors, even at the professional level. Unforced errors, double faults, backhands into the net—they’re all part of the game. The ability to accept mistakes without emotional collapse, and instead react constructively, is a core mental skill. The best players are not those who avoid errors, but those who recover quickly and keep playing with clarity.

Between-Point Routines and Self-Reflection

The game is marked by frequent short pauses between points. If not handled properly, these breaks can become opportunities for distraction or overthinking. That’s why professional players develop personal routines between points: toweling off, adjusting clothes, breathing deeply, thinking about tactics. These help to maintain focusregulate emotions, and prepare for the next point.

Self-Talk and Encouragement

Tennis demands active internal dialogue. Players speak to themselves during the match to encourage, concentrate, or adjust. Phrases like “come on,” “play deep,” or “stay with it” help to regulate attention and motivation. This kind of self-awareness can be decisive during pressure moments or mental slumps.

Tactical Thinking and Mental Flexibility

Every opponent has a different style, and each match unfolds in unpredictable ways. Tennis requires constant adaptation, both technically and mentally. Changing pace, trying new solutions, reading the opponent’s intentions—these all rely on a flexible and responsive mind.

Competitive Isolation

During a match, coaching is limited. The player is essentially alone with themselves. They can’t rely on a team to help during a rough patch. This calls for emotional and decision-making autonomy, and the ability to be one’s own coach in real time.

10 years of football and autismo revised in one book

The topics covered in the book “Football and Autism”, which I co-wrote with my collaborators, illustrate the methodology and results achieved through the integrated football program promoted by ASD Accademia di Calcio Integrato, made possible thanks to the support of AS Roma. The program has been active for over 10 years and represents an innovative educational model aimed at including young people with intellectual disabilities. Its main goal is to promote integration through sport, recognizing football as an educational, relational, and rehabilitative experience.

The project involves children and adolescents with and without disabilities, encouraging teamwork and the development of social skills. From the outset, a 32-hour training course was created to standardize the skills of the team, which includes youth football coaches, sports psychologists, speech therapists, and doctors.

The activities were designed to adapt to the individual abilities of the participants, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders, who show a wide range of motor and psychosocial skills. The program also includes one-on-one sessions when necessary, to ensure personalized interventions.

The annual results have demonstrated the method’s effectiveness, which has been validated through several scientific publications over the years. The project has also had a significant social impact thanks to collaboration with local schools and support teachers, enhancing the inclusion of participants in educational settings.

Families have also played an active role, finding in the training environment a space for sharing and mutual support.

The project has received support from the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP), FISDIR, and the Lazio Regional Council, which helped strengthen and expand the initiative.

Over time, a true community has formed, focused on the well-being of young people with disabilities, showing how sport can be a powerful tool for integration.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who, with dedication and commitment, has made the success of this unique experience possible.

Champions have an absolute motivazione, even as they live with their insecurities

Regarding anxiety management and, more generally, emotional self-regulation in sports, I was reminded of athletes I’ve worked with over the years who have achieved great success.
Margherita Zalaffi, the first and only athlete to date to have won Olympic medals in both foil and épée; Alessandra Sensini, the most successful athlete in the history of Italian sailing; Giovanni Pellielo, the strongest trap shooter in the world; Daniele Scarpa, Olympic gold medalist in canoeing; and Andrea Minguzzi, Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Their greatest psychological strength was the absolute determination to reach the goal they had set for themselves. At the same time, they were well aware that it would be very difficult and that failure was a real possibility. They went through intense moments of discouragement, fearing what might happen if they didn’t win—but they persevered.

Incidentally, questionnaires used to assess grit and tenacity often include terms that reflect an extreme or absolute desire to achieve one’s goals. Therefore, it’s no surprise that top athletes exhibit this same mindset.

I am convinced that it is precisely this mental approach to training and performance that creates that small final edge—perhaps just 1%—which separates those who make it to the podium from those who fall just short, and the serial winners from those who shine only once.

Many athletes do not have this mindset in their sporting and competitive lives, and it is likely this very absence that prevents them from achieving the goals they dream of.

In soccer at age 8: effort and fun come first, results come last

A football coach asked if to divide 8-year old children in three group based on motor skill levels cause problems?

Dividing 8-year-old children into three groups based on motor skill levels in soccer is problematic for several reasons, especially in light of the theories on youth sport development formulated by Jean Côté, a leading scholar in sport psychology.

1. Contradiction with the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model

Jean Côté developed the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP), which promotes sports participation based on fun, inclusion, and diversification during the early years (particularly up to age 12). According to Côté:

“In the sampling years (ages 6–12), children should engage in various sports with an emphasis on enjoyment and deliberate play rather than early specialization or performance-based selection.”
(Côté, J., Baker, J., & Abernethy, B. – Practice and Play in the Development of Sport Expertise, 2007)

Dividing children by skill level at age 8 places too much emphasis on early performance, which undermines the inclusive and playful environment Côté considers essential.

2. Risk of exclusion and loss of motivation

Grouping children by ability can lead to:

  • Stigmatization of those in the “lower” groups.
  • Reduced self-esteem.
  • Lower long-term motivation.

According to Côté, a competitive environment too early often leads to dropout from sport, while one focused on fun and participation fosters continued involvement and the gradual development of motor skills.

3. Underestimating individual developmental trajectories

Motor skills at age 8 are highly variable and influenced by many unstable factors, such as physical development, play opportunities, and family support. Côté emphasizes:

“Early ability is a poor predictor of long-term success in sport.”
(Côté & Fraser-Thomas, 2007)

Selecting or dividing children based on these early abilities is not predictive of their future potential and can instead limit opportunities for late developers.

Conclusion

Grouping 8-year-old children in soccer based on skill level goes against the principles of positive youth development promoted by Jean Côté. Such a practice:

  • Reduces enjoyment and inclusivity.
  • Encourages early exclusion
  • Relies on unreliable criteria for long-term development.

A better approach would be to promote mixed-ability play, variety, and exploration, allowing skills to develop naturally in a supportive and motivating environment.