“Joining the MPCI Coaching Mentorship Program has given me new insights into in my development as a coach.”
Yashar is an academy and grassroots football coach who joined the MPCI Coaching Mentorship Program to bridge the gap between instinctive coaching and intentional practice. His journey has been one of clarity, developing a defined game model, deepening tactical understanding, and aligning his team around a shared identity.
From Passion to Purpose
“I wanted to build a game model that truly reflects my philosophy and my players’ strengths,” Yashar explains. “Before the programme, I had ideas but they weren’t structured. I didn’t have a clear process to turn those ideas into something repeatable or adaptable.”
Through MPCI’s six key pillars—Game Model, Mental Models, Club Strategy, Culture, Session Design, and Skill Acquisition—Yashar began to find that structure. The process has helped him connect day-to-day sessions to long-term development goals.
“Each week gave me something new to test with my players—something that made me think deeper about the why behind my coaching.”
Game Model Foundations
A turning point came when Yashar began refining his game model. This was a process he was going through on his UEFA B and the mentorship helped him refine it further:
“The shift was focusing on tactical clarity—making sure every player understands their role and its impact on the team. It’s not about having dozens of patterns—it’s about having principles that help players adapt to challenges and still play with identity.”
Instead of layering in complex tactics too early, he focused on progressive development—building core ideas first before adding variation and detail.
“I started recognising game references those moments that signal tactical shifts during matches. Once I understood those, I began designing training sessions around them. That’s when I saw players making smarter, quicker decisions under pressure.”
Linking Mental Models to Performance
The programme also challenged Yashar to think differently about how players learn, process information, and respond in real time.
“Mental models became a big part of my journaling. I’d reflect after sessions—what players noticed, how they reacted under pressure, when they got caught out. It changed how I coached. I wasn’t just watching movement—I was watching mindset.”
Using MPCI tools like the anticipation framework, he built activities that helped players improve reaction time in transitions and become more aware of pressing cues.
“The idea that you can coach perception—not just execution—was a big breakthrough for me.”
Applying Strategy and Building Culture
As Yashar’s confidence grew, so did his ability to think beyond the session plan. He explored the impact of culture, using reflection tools to assess trust and psychological safety within his team.
“After we did a team discussion I and followed up with specific actions that facilitated the group in developing its own distinct culture.. It showed me that culture isn’t something abstract, it’s something you can build deliberately.”
Lasting Impact on Coaching and Players
By implementing what he’s learned in real time, Yashar has already seen significant changes in his coaching environment:
- Improved Decision-Making: “Players confidently adapt when game references shift, thanks to scenario-driven practice.”
- Clearer Identity: “Our game model gives everyone clear roles—it’s improved our cohesion and confidence on the pitch.”
- Stronger Culture: “There’s more trust, more openness. That came from creating space for feedback and being willing to act on it.”
“The method of layering complexity over time was crucial. It ensured players mastered core principles before adding new tactical elements. That led to a more intelligent, cohesive team.”
What’s Next?
“I’ve learned that coaching isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having a process to explore the right questions,” Yashar shares. “This programme helped me build that process.”
Whether it’s shaping a training session, leading a strategy conversation, or navigating a tough moment in a game, Yashar now coaches with purpose—and helps his players perform with clarity.
Explore the MPCI Mentorship Program If you’re a coach or mental performance coach looking to:
✔ Build a game model aligned with your values
✔ Integrate psychology, tactics, and culture into your coaching
✔ Join a global learning environment that supports practical growth
Then the MPCI Coaching Mentorship Program is your next step.
