Coaching students in Nyon

The third season of UEFA's innovative coach education student exchange scheme gets under way this week, with Pro licence student coaches from the national associations of Belgium, Cyprus, Finland and Ukraine attending a course at the House of European Football in Nyon.

The course helps the students, many of whom are former professional footballers, along the road towards a coaching career, and is also an invaluable opportunity for national associations to exchange coaching information and expertise. The objective is to give UEFA Pro licence students the chance of international dialogue, as well as access to UEFA, its tutors and educational materials.

At least four European associations attend each event, under the guidance of their own respective coach education directors. UEFA brings experienced tutors or coach educators to the courses together with UEFA's football education services, and members of the UEFA Jira Panel – the body responsible for overseeing coach education – take part together with guest presenters.

The much-respected German coach Thomas Schaaf is a guest at this week's course, and the 52-year-old former SV Werder Bremen player and coach will share his experiences with the students.

The course also comprises practical training sessions at the Colovray Sports Centre opposite UEFA's headquarters. The student coaches are given a comprehensive insight into the key aspects of a coach's professional life and the 'dos and don'ts' of the profession. They will hear about the personal attributes and management qualities that a coach requires to enjoy a long, successful career.

Specific topics dealt with at each course include teaching practice, crisis management, developing mental strength, self-improvement methods, and handling supporter expectations and players. A media session also lends participants the chance to show their skills in the flash interview situation seen on television after a UEFA Champions League game, and offers crucial advice on how to interact with the written press, radio and TV.

The students will be asked to analyse one of this week's UEFA Champions League fixtures, and will debate the trends and talking points that emerge from matches in the competition.