** Language warning**  (If you’re easily offended by swear words, maybe don’t watch!)

Finding further information to support the fact that we play football with our brain first, another find from the YouTube library.

Berlin, October 2015.

Let me explain, in case you don’t already know, what The Hong Kong Soccer Sevens is. The clues are in the name, yes it’s played in Hong Kong (annually) and yes this is a seven a side football tournament (not the sport with odd shaped balls that is so commonly connected with Hong Kong), played on a regulation 11 a side size field at it’s spiritual home The Hong Kong Football Club at the heart of Happy Valley (maybe more famous for it’s horse racing) on Hong Kong island.

The tournament is split between the main tournament and the Masters. The masters has seen numerous world stars of football come to show off their talent (albeit at a slower pace). All I can say is that to see some of these players it epitomises the anecdote “form is temporary, class is permanent “. The tournament has been graced by Didier Six, Lothur Matthias, Jean-Marc Bosman, Andy Cole, Peter Beardsley, Des Walker the list goes on and on.

Rumors are always rife before the tournament about which teams will come and play. In years gone by the regulars were always Rangers and Celtic of the Scottish league and Aston Villa of the English Premier league. Due (I am lead to believe) to financial constraints, this year we would not have the Scottish representatives at the tournament and they would be replaced with some other teams. Other teams that have participated in the past are Manchester Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, The Kaiser Chiefs, Boca Juniors, Urawa Red Diamonds, Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai SIPG, the Australian National U21’s it’s a long list of quality teams from all corners of the globe.

After you run through this amazing list you go down to the lesser known (to the world outside of Hong Kong) professional teams of Hong Kong’s Premier League, BC Rangers, Kitchee FC and then going down another level, teams made from players at the Hong Kong Football Club who participate in the professional leagues of Hong Kong but maintain their amateur status, after this is the second Hong Kong Football Club team The Captains Select made up of those “left over” (for want of a better phrase, no disrespect) first team players and then players from their amateur league teams.

Then last but not least, bringing up the rear of all of this are the whipping boys of the tournament, the no hopers who come to make up the numbers and play for the privilege of being on the same pitch as future football legends, The Yau Yee League Select. A team comprised of players from Hong Kongs longest serving amateur league. School teachers, bankers, insurers, desk jockeys, publicans, bar staff, bar “proper-uppers”, players from every walk of life there is in Hong Kong and general lovers of the peoples game.

I’m not entirely sure how the coach selection process was done by the Yau Yee League before, but this year it was agreed that the process to find a coach(s) for the coming sevens tournament for the Yau Yee League Select team would start with an advertisement on the leagues website.

The request for interested parties to make application for the unpaid position to coach the Yau Yee League Select team went up on the leagues website with only a couple of weeks left of the season.

I’d like to think that my experience and coaching qualifications from the Football Federation Australia and the English FA put me in with a chance. The other string to my bow, as I suggested in my application, was my experience of coaching sevens football to numerous youth teams over the last many, many years of my professional coaching career. It might be little league, but believe me when I say the standard is very high, both technically and tactically.

A week later and I received an email from Matt Seddon (Yau Yee League representative and Select team manager) telling me the good news that I had been selected, along with James Dean (another coaching professional) to plan for and coach the team that would compete in this years tournament. Tommy Vincent (Yau Yee League representative) completed the Yau Yee League Selects management “dream team” for the coming tournament.

James and I were brought together supposedly to pick out some “canon fodder” for the pro teams arriving in Hong Kong in around 7 weeks time. Obviously this was due to the outstanding resumes, credentials and experience both James and myself possessed. I was later to find out (true or not?) that we were the only two people who had applied, so I guess we were the perfect candidates for the job.

It was then released which teams would be coming to the tournament and among the expected Aston Villa (five times champions) West Ham Utd, Leicester City, Newcastle Utd there were some new big names to the tournament, Stoke City and Athletico Madrid. We were ecstatic when the draw was made.

So trying to cut this (what is becoming a longer than expected) long story short, we had around 6 weeks to cut down a squad of over 40 nominated players to a squad of ten and coach them for what we wanted to try and achieve in the tournament (preferably something a little better than “cannon fodder”).

#believe

After day one of the tournament was complete, we took some praise from the tournament organisers on their social media page.

We had defied the odds and through victories over Stoke City and Hong Kong’s National U20’s Team, we had shaken off our “cannon fodder” status, had knocked Stoke and Hong Kong out of the Cup competition and we were through to the next round along side Athletico Madrid, who had a lucky 2-1 victory over us after coming from behind with the aid of light penalty (my story, my poetic licence!)

The results :

Yau Yee League Selcet 2-0 Stoke City

Athletico Madrid 2-1 Yau Yee League Select

Hong Kong National U20 1-2 Yau Yee League Select

So this put us into the Cup competition to play West Ham Utd, which although we had a few chances, West Ham took an early lead, sat on their one goal lead for most of the game and deserved their 1-0 win. (https://youtu.be/rgM53HQ5nmY?t=1357)

This put us directly into the Shield competition and set us up for a dream semi final against Aston Villa, the one team that had won this tournament more than any other team and we took them all the way to extra time and penalties where our goal keeper (Eugene Kan) has earned himself legend status and received an honourable mention at the post tournament dinner https://youtu.be/sw1_6SeHPcE?t=4810

“The Crazy Gang have beaten the culture club”

Would you believe it, the part timers from the “friendly league” of Hong Kong have knocked out the five times Champions of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens and the one club that has produced more England Internationals than any other. The Yau Yee League Select marches to the final of the Shield competition.

The final proved to be a bridge just a little too far. Although we stayed in contention throughout, had a couple of good chances denied on the line, had a good penalty appeal turned down, we just couldn’t quite beat the professionals for the winners medal. BC Rangers played well throughout, had strength and experience in their team (along side some up-coming youth) and had scored a couple of good goals.

Yau Yee League Select 1-3 BC Rangers

Our guys gave everything they had left all the way to the end and the final 3-1 score line flatters to deceive our opposition who scored their final goal deep into added time when the game was already won.

I could not be prouder of our all round team performance and looking back at training on hill tops in thunder and lightning storms, standing in one inch deep of “black rain” water, I am now 100% sure the football gods were smiling on us all the way back then.

During a long a painful Covid lockdown in Hong Kong, I pieced this little memento together of the fun we had.

A Meeting of Minds

Back in the summer of 2011, I had the privilege of visiting the Standard Liege Academy, where I engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Michel about his philosophies, techniques, and concepts. One of the key aspects we explored was the comprehensive evaluation process that each player undergoes to assess their athletic performance.

Bruyninckx referenced a book detailing over 200 different evaluations, ranging from standing jumps to lung capacity measurements. While it’s impractical for every young athlete in the Total Soccer Schools system to undergo all these evaluations, implementing a core selection could provide significant benefits.

For instance, Michel shared a remarkable case of a predominantly right-footed player whose posture revealed a muscular imbalance. Through targeted training, this player became proficient with both feet, making it nearly impossible for observers to determine his dominant side. The implications are profound: a well-rounded skill set not only enhances adaptability on the pitch but also reduces the risk of injury by addressing physical compensations.

The Academy Experience

The facilities at the Standard Liege Academy were truly remarkable, providing on-campus schooling and accommodation for all players. It was heartwarming to see the respect the young athletes showed Michel, greeting him warmly as they passed. This reflects the positive culture fostered within the Academy, where players from prestigious clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan had come to develop their skills under Bruyninckx’s guidance.

Since then, Michel’s experience has extended beyond Liege; he was instrumental in establishing the Aspire Academy in Doha, where he reshaped training programs to emphasize cognitive development alongside technical skills.

The CogiTraining Method

At the heart of Bruyninckx’s approach is his CogiTraining methodology, which integrates cognitive tasks into football drills. This method is rooted in the understanding that football is fundamentally a game of the brain. By incorporating mental and sensory challenges, players enhance their attention, memory, and reaction times—skills critical for success on the field.

Bruyninckx’s training fosters neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, thereby improving both mental and physical agility. His sessions often challenge players to multitask or solve problems while executing football drills, sharpening their decision-making skills under pressure.

Focus on Youth Development

Michel Bruyninckx’s influence is particularly noteworthy in youth development. He advocates for a training philosophy that prioritizes long-term cognitive growth over immediate results. This forward-thinking approach prepares young athletes for the demands of higher levels of play, ensuring they develop not just as players, but as intelligent decision-makers on the field.

Education and Holistic Development

Beyond football, Bruyninckx emphasizes the importance of education. He believes that cultivating cognitive skills both on and off the pitch is essential for holistic player development. This philosophy aligns with modern coaching trends that recognize the value of nurturing well-rounded athletes.

A Lasting Impact

Michel Bruyninckx’s methods are gaining recognition globally, influencing academies and clubs that seek to develop smarter, more aware players. His focus on brain training in sports performance is reshaping how coaches approach player development (hence this website), making him a significant figure in contemporary football coaching.

Reflecting on my visit to the Standard Liège Academy and my conversations with Michel, I left with my theories reinforced, while also feeling inspired and enlightened. His insights transformed my understanding of coaching, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from one of football’s leading innovators.

As football continues to evolve, the integration of cognitive training and neuroscience will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of players. Keep an eye on Bruyninckx’s work; he is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of football development.