So it's been awhile since I've written a blog, but tonight I
came across a great read titled Coaches
10 Commandments for a Great Season (found here: http://girlscansocceradventures.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/coaches-10-commandments-for-a-great-season/)
and it inspired me to come up with some of my own tips on what can help lead to
a great season, and great relationships amongst your team.
Come With A Proper
Session Plan:
This is quite possibly the most important thing a coach can
do, as player development and game preparation starts on the training pitch.
There's nothing worse seeing a session being ran where there is no specific
topic that you can see the players working on, and the different drills have no
or very little connection to one another. This is important in the development
of players as they will be having the point you're trying to get across to them
engrained into them all practice, and thus they can focus on those principles
that you're teaching them. With that being said, as a coach you should focus on
only coaching points related to the topic that you're teaching. I know it may
be hard, but in the end it's for the better. If you're coaching drills for
strikers, then there should be very little focus on defensive points that
session. Another thing to remember is make the session plan applicable to the
level you are coaching. There's no sense in running a session that is below or
well above the player's level as they will end up gaining very little from the
session.
Listen To Your
Players:
I've made reference to this in prior blogs, but I have
personally found this to be one of the most important tools when coaching. As a
coach you may have your own ideas, but it is very important to ask your players
engaging open ended (not yes/no) that allow them to think about the importance
of what you're teaching, why THEY think it may be useful, and when they can use
it in a game situation. I've also found that this is particularly useful with
younger aged players because (I'm guilty of this sometimes) us as coaches will
explain a drill in terms that we understand, but the majority of your players
don't. From here I have had many times where my players have been able to in
the most basic of terms so that everyone can understand.
Don't Be Afraid To
Have Fun (It's Not A Sin to Have A Laugh):
At the end of the day soccer is a game, and I'm a firm
believer that if the player isn't enjoying the game anymore then it may be time
for them to hang-up the boots (I know it seems bad to say). Fun can be had in
many ways though through a training session. Coaches can do this by turning
certain drills into small competitions (that will also increase the intensity),
or mixing things up a bit so you're teaching them soccer related topics but in
different manners (such as hand ball to teach off ball movement). Sometimes you
also have to put your own pride to the side and let loose, like allowing your
players to dye your hair, agreeing for them to choose your wardrobe for a day
if they complete a specific task that you ask of them. When working with older
groups, don't be afraid to revert back to small activities/drills that they may
have done at much younger ages as sometimes it can lift their spirits to just
go out and have fun. One comment that has stuck with me came over this past
winter session when I was running a session for my club's u17 girls team. I had
the players do a taxi race and when they were finished that I heard a player
say to her teammates "Who knew fitness could actually be fun?"
When working with younger players (u8-u11), one of the best
pieces of advice I received when I just started out coaching was that "About
every 6 weeks, there will be a practice which is a complete throw away".
What this coach meant was that the players are kids and there will be a session
(if you're training multiple times a week) where their focus just won't be
there no matter what you do. These are the days where instead of getting angry
and sending players out, you grab your bibs, call them in split them into teams
and just let them play.
Team Bonding:
One of the things that I'm really in disagreement with the
OSA is their elimination of tournaments for players from u8-u12, and not for
the chance to win a meaningless trophy (eventually life will trash all your
trophies), but for the fact that it takes away opportunities for the players
and their families to bond together off the pitch. Very few if any of the
players you coach will go pro, but the bonds and friendships they will develop
can last a lifetime. Ways you can provide these bonding moments as a coach is
by organizing team parties/bbq's, fundraising events such as carwashes, or going
to watch a professional game just to name a few things. This also allows you to
learn more about the players that you coach away from the pitch.
24 Hour Rule:
Sometimes as coaches we don't like
to interact with parents all too much when it pertains to the game. One of the
most useful tools I always implement with any team I'm coaching is the 24 hour
rule. What this is, is a rule that if there are any issues (bad OR GOOD) things don't get discussed
until at least 24 hours after the event. The reason behind this is because when
something happens immediately individuals may be filled with emotions and say
things that they may regret shortly after. This goes for coaches too when it
comes to dealing with parents on how a player(s) may be behaving. If the
emotions are still there after 24 hours, then the majority of the time it is an
actual valid concern, and not just a heat of the moment thing.
Look for the Positives:
Especially when you're coaching
younger players, it is always very important to look for the positives no
matter how things may be going. If the team happens to play a "bad"
game, you may be a bit angry but after you might let them know of areas that
may need improvement on, you should try your best to end your post
game/practice talk with a couple positive points. The reason why this is
important is because it shows the players that you still have faith in them,
and that they know some things still went okay.
These are just a few of my
thoughts that can help lead to a more positive team environment. The better the environment is, the more
enjoyable it is for the players, and it will make them wanting to come back
pitch that much more.
