"Building relationships with players is fundamental. The teaching and tactical information you pass on is important of course, but alone that is not enough.
"As a coach I've learned that taking the time to connect with individuals and understand them as people is what really makes the difference.
"It helps you get the right messages across, in a way that works best for them."
These are the words of Arsenal Under-23 head coach Kevin Betsy.
The former Fulham, Barnsley, Wycombe Wanderers and Southend United midfielder now boasts one of the most enviable coaching CVs in English football.
Last summer, the 43-year-old left his role as England Under-18’s head coach after spending five years at St George’s Park with various national team age groups.
Prior to that, he had forged an outstanding reputation in youth football during seven years as a full-time coach at Fulham’s highly regarded academy.
Sharing a connection
"I'm now working with footballers whose tactical and technical understanding is at an extremely high level but as a coach it's still about the connection you share with the player," says Betsy, as he discusses the transition back into professional club football. "I've found that really interesting.
"One clear difference is that players at Under-23 level will have questions and challenge you on occasion, meaning you have to have good rationale in every situation.
"They want to communicate, so you must be open to receive that, while also giving direction when required.
"The quality and variety of your training sessions also need to be intense and challenging.
"Professional footballers have been used to training in the academy system since EPPP came in, working with very good full-time coaches that have excellent practice design, which improves them individually and collectively.
"On a daily basis this has to remain at the older age groups."
Throughout his playing career, Betsy always had one eye on a possible move into coaching.
He gained experience as a part-time coach at Fulham while he was playing for the club in League One before returning to Craven Cottage several years later as a full-time Academy coach.
"Coaching six or seven hours a day on the grass gave me wonderful practical experience but I did have to quickly upskill on understanding the differences around growth, maturation and the physical development in children," he says.
"Being able to see potential in a youngster - physically, technically or tactically – requires real patience.
"In that regard I found talking to other coaches, with more experience than me, really helpful.
"During this period it became clear to me that the long-term individual development of players is the absolute priority.
"You can’t be distracted by thinking, 'I need to win this game.' We all love to win, but the focus has to be on finding a way to improve the kids with each and every practice."
FA recognition
At just 38, Betsy’s ability was recognised by The FA, who appointed him head coach of the England men’s Under-15s team. It was there he realised the value of planning ahead.
"Taking care of the best young players in the country was a significant responsibility, a real privilege," he says. "And to make sure they all got the best experience possible, every minute of every day needed to be mapped out long before the players walked through the gates at St George’s Park.
"It was essential that all of the England staff had clarity in our work as a collective. If there’s no clarity, gaps can appear, so the planning needed to be thorough.
"I also believe that if your planning is robust, you can flex easily when you need to, without getting emotionally distracted when reacting to unexpected changes.
"I had to be very particular with my training periodisation.
"You are borrowing players from their clubs and must make sure they return in the best physical condition possible. Every moment spent with them on the pitch is factored in appropriately.
"In terms of match prep, we often only had two days max to get 20-odd players from different clubs - accustomed to various styles and formations - to a place where they could play within our chosen tactical framework and perform to their best.
"And when you put those Three Lions on, you’ve got a responsibility to win, so that was a big challenge. Planning ahead, working smart with the time we had, was essential."
Taking time to connect
Betsy describes his role with England as 40 per cent scouting, 20 per cent coaching and 20 per cent staff management, with the remaining 20 per cent of his time spent working with his players away from the training pitch.
"One the most valuable aspects of coaching I learned with the national team was using different methods to explain and connect with young people when we weren't on the grass.
"We quickly picked up that players between 15 and 18 responded incredibly well to one-on-ones, so we decided to set aside valuable time to connect with them.
"This made the world of difference. We’d also analyse videos, use animations/smart boards, technology and even set up small pitches in the hotel.
"The key from our end was to fast-track the players' learning in a short space of time."
Relentless pace of club football
Does the relentless pace of club football mean it's a similar scenario in his new position at Arsenal?
"At international level it’s intense while you are there but you have time between camps to review and reflect on your work.
"Here at London Colney you’ve got three days' training, a game, meetings, training, more meetings, then another game. It's non-stop, but that's what we love.
"There's still a meticulous amount of preparation and planning. Here I'll sit down with the performance coach and we map out the loadings and modifications we need to make for the group and for certain individuals.
"It’s not just about an upcoming game either. We may also want to build up speed and endurance levels so that they are stronger in four weeks' time.
"You’re always looking ahead."
Upturn in Arsenal results
While results are not the priority at Under-23 level, there has been a major upturn in form for the Gunners in Premier League 2 this term as well as Arsenal Under-21s reaching the quarter-finals of the Papa John’s Trophy.
Betsy's use of a three-man defence has caught the eye, as it differs from Mikel Arteta’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
"Formations are fluid and they are just a starting point," Betsy says. "For our group it suits the players we have available but it’s getting the players to clearly understand our game model and methodology which is the most important factor.
"We have certain principles at Arsenal that won't change because that's how we want to play as a club, and we search for total clarity on that. This is how we know we'll develop first-team players in the future.
"With England we had a certain DNA, but it was slightly different because of the pressure to win. International football can also be very tactical, and in certain tournaments we had to play smart.
"For instance in hot conditions, knowing we had another game in two days' time, we’d often back off the high press to conserve energy. At club level you don’t have to consider things like that."
'It's all about the player'
A constant theme running through our conversation is the need to look beyond the here and now, with long-term development the primary focus.
"It's all about the player and the quicker you understand that as a young coach the better it is for everybody," Betsy says.
"It's not about you and how well the team is doing. Is the player performing to their potential? Are they enjoying the sessions? Are you, as a coach, thinking about what they are thinking? These are the questions you need to consider."
It is not the norm for a young coach to be afforded the opportunity to establish himself in a first-class youth Academy, help to develop elite players at international level, and then be charged with the responsibility of developing first-team players at a huge club like Arsenal.
Be the best you can
Has Betsy any advice for aspiring coaches that wish to follow a similar route?
"Whatever pathway you have in mind just don't see it as a hierarchical journey," he replies. "I have never seen it that way at all.
"When I joined The FA, all I wanted to be was the best Under-15 coach in the world and I didn’t look beyond that. Now that I am at Arsenal, this is my sole focus.
"Every individual coach has their own journey to follow. For some, their personality and use of language works best in one particular age bracket and there is nothing wrong with that.
"Having that awareness and ability to know which communication skills you need to use and when at different age groups is also key.
"My advice is to just try and be the best coach that you can be at the level you’re working at and see where that leads you.
"Mastering the art of developing skills in a 6v6 or 7v7 is just as important as working on the 11-a-side game.
"I've been fortunate to taste different experiences and, to some degree, I guess it’s rounded my skill set. There have been nuances and differences to each role I’ve had, but also many constants, too.
"Wherever I've been the goal has always been to help players reach their potential but do it in a way where the support is unconditional, and to be there through the down moments.
"We must ensure they stay in love with the game, enjoying their football and life."
Also in this series
Part 2: Why Arsenal lead the way for counter-attacking goals
Part 3: Hobbs: Support for coaches is incredibly important
Part 4: Davies: I’m here to support the manager every day
Part 5: Binnion: Coaches must be authentic with their players
