ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the constraints-led approach and nonlinear pedagogy (NLP), identifies perceived challenges of using NLP in grassroots soccer, and offers future research directions and practical tips. Safety is the opportunity provided to players to learn through exploratory play and practice, to try new movements, and make mistakes as they find their way through the practice environment. Certainty is the level of control, management and order structured into a learning environment or pedagogical approach of the coach. Traditional emphasis in football coaching with children is on control, order, and compliance – through structured management of classes and a high level of practice organisation, often manifested by manicured lines of players queueing to repeat a coach- or teacher-prescribed movement in a drill, task space structured by cones, coaches verbally instructing players precisely what to do and when and players rehearsing a tactical pattern or a basic movement technique.
