The Scottish FA Coach Education department has launched its first ever course with a dedicated focus on mental skills training, as part of a collaboration with P-A-C-T (Positive Attitude and Character Training).
The E-Learning course is split over five modules that can be accessed and completed via COMET.
The programme will teach coaches skills in the area of mental development, including sessions on how to combat anxiety, fear, and self-doubt, how to control beliefs and how to create an environment that boosts confidence.
Coaches will learn techniques around positive self-talk, the importance of proper preparation and the ways of learning from mistakes.
This E-learning course is open to any aspiring coach working in any level of the game. Candidates who complete this course will also be awarded three hours CPD, provided they hold either a UEFA C, UEFA B, UEFA GK B, UEFA Youth B, UEFA Elite Youth A or the Advanced Children’s Licence.
There will also be a number of online P-A-C-T CCD events run regionally in the coming months aimed specifically at grassroots coaches who are looking to deliver practical sessions focusing on the P-A-C-T principles.
Martyn Buckie, Grassroots Coach Education & Development Manager, Scottish FA: "We are constantly striving to improve and diversify our Coach Education offering in Scotland, to allow our coaches to gain as many skills as possible across different fields.
"There are numerous coach development programmes which focus solely on the technical, tactical and physical aspects of football. We are now providing education specifically around the mental skills aspect of player development. An area that is massively overlooked.
"We are encouraging coaches to take more of a focus on mental skills development within football and this course will equip coaches across Scotland with the tools to allow them to develop their own attitude, and in turn, ensure a more positive learning environment for their players."
Greig Paterson, Head of Coach Education and Development at the Scottish FA, added: “This course is a significant step forward in recognising the importance of mindset and psychological development in football.
"While we’ve made huge strides in technical and tactical education, the mental side of the game has often been underrepresented.
"The P-A-C-T partnership allows us to equip coaches with the tools to develop not only their players’ character, but also their own resilience, confidence, and leadership. It’s a win-win and adds further to our wide-ranging support for coaches working at every level of the game.”
Jeff Bookman, Former Chelsea FC Academy Coach, FA Coach Educator, and Co-creator of P-A-C-T: "Coaches shape far more than just players’ technical abilities—they shape the mindset. Over the years, I’ve learned that talent alone isn’t enough without a strong character and a positive attitude.
"P.A.C.T. provides coaches of all ability levels with the knowledge to deliver those vital qualities. This course puts mental development where it belongs: at the heart of coaching.
"To say I wish I knew then what I know now, both as a player and a coach, is a huge understatement. It’s exciting to see Scotland leading the way in this area.”
The new course can be accessed here.