James Brayne: how Birmingham City academy use elite player role models to help design individual learning plans and provide a ‘hook’ for learning

Player | Learning | James Brayne | 24.02.2022

Studying the performances of elite senior players can act as a ‘hook’ for learning with young players says James Brayne (pictured above), former Head of Coaching U13-U23 at Birmingham City.

Learning:

-         Using elite players as a ‘hook’ for young player learning

-          Designing individual learning plans that excite and motivate young players

-          Linking individual learning plans to club philosophy and playing style

Studying the performances of elite senior players from other clubs can act as a ‘hook’ for learning with young players and help guide the design of individual learning plans says James Brayne, former Head of Coaching U13-U23 at Birmingham City.

“We use a ‘theming’ model at our academy to help inform our players’ individual learning guides,” explains Brayne, who has had a long relationship with Birmingham’s academy since joining the club as an analyst in 2011.

“We use first-team players from other professional football clubs to create themes and get a ‘hook’ for the learning.

“So, if one of our groups were ‘theming’ on Manchester United we may identify Jadon Sancho as a ‘theming player’ for that individual.