Academy coach Steve Foley has published an interactive book of his coaching drills, Coach Your Way to the Premiership.
Foley, 62, was initially recruited by Jim Magilton as a specialist skills coach during the Northern Irishman's time in charge in 2006.
After departing in 2010 during Roy Keane’s tenure as boss, Clacton-born Foley was brought back to the academy by Bryan Klug in 2012 and currently has a role working with players in all age groups as well as coaching the academy’s coaches.
The former Colchester midfielder, who also had time coaching at Norwich City and is also currently head coach at Needham Market, believes the book is the first of its kind.
"Lots of people ask me about coaching and for coaching drills, so it seemed like a good idea to produce this book,” he told the Colchester Gazette.
"I’ve put together about a dozen different drills, but what makes it different is that for a couple of them, people can use their smart phones to scan in a QR code.
"That code will then bring up an actual demonstration for them to watch and help them understand what I’m trying to say.
"If it’s well received and people like it, I’ll produce more and more. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
"It’s a bit unique but one of the things I want to show is that you don’t have to be a professional or top-class player to learn these skills. They’re for players of all ages.”
Coach Your Way to the Premiership, published by media:cpm, is available at Planet Blue.