Ashurst Wood Junior Football Club
www.awjfc.co.uk
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Coaching
Introduction [19 Jun @ 9:45am]
Football coaching in the modern game involves the effective understanding and application of a variety of skills and methods to get the best out of the players at hand. The coach must communicate well, make clear decisions whilst under pressure and be able to handle players of various temperaments. He must know the game and have a great capacity to plan, adapt and put on a selection of quality practice sessions for his/her players. He/she also requires a keen tactical mind and the strength of character to cope with stress brought on by the ever-growing demand for instant success. This is typical of all levels of football in the professional game but the emotional stresses of grassroots football are also problems that coaches have to face and be comfortable with. Whether it be pressure from parents of kids who are not playing at youth level or disgruntled players who are unhappy with your decisions at adult Sunday and Saturday league level, all these elements require coaches to be fair, strong, confident and have a willingness to learn all the time whether it be tactical, technical or simply learning how to effectively communicate with the players. The tips given here are more based on ‘how to coach’ rather than ‘what to coach’ as this is just as important in getting your theories and ides across to your players. The modern coach has to deal with a vast array of differing personalities and characters. It is not a bad idea to study psychology to give you a head start when dealing with modern day footballers at any level. The likes of Jose Mourinho, one of the most successful coaches of the modern era, have studied psychology and have proven what an advantage it is when dealing with players as well as the often tricky media circus that encompasses professional sport. This is not a request to return to school, but an insight into the importance of knowing how to approach various situations when involved in coaching, team building and motivating players. Our home nations have often been accused of being ‘old school’ in their approach to sport in general, especially to football. It is good to see positive signs that this approach is changing at all levels of the game and the need to be more in-depth and professional in our coaching is being recognised. If the home nations are to become competitive again on the world scene then our coaching methods need to be looked at, as it is the coaches who really bring the ‘talent’ out of the players. The importance of good coaching at grassroots level is often overlooked but it is on those park fields that all the great players start their journey and it is with coaches like yourselves that their appreciation of the game and their motivation begins.
Being the coach [19 Jun @ 9:47am]
The role of the coach is essentially to pull all the players together to create a harmonious, strong and efficient team who are happy in their work. Choosing the right blend within your coaching team is important as it is the unity amongst the coaching team that breeds stability and confidence among the players and emits a positive vibe in general. Your assistants should follow the same philosophy as you. They also have to be trustworthy and give valid feedback, which is especially important during a bad run of results. A strong bond with your coaching team is a great advantage to a coach as it provides support and help when facing tough decisions. It also takes the pressure off your shoulders to know that your choices are 100% supported by your team. As the decision maker and the person responsible for the way your team plays, it is essential that you are confident and sure in all your actions as players can pick up any signs of insecurity. It is important that you have the backing of your coaching team on everything when in front of your players as they have to feel that they are in capable hands and are being lead properly. Players are generally insecure by nature and can look for excuses to deflect responsibility from themselves. If they can blame the coach for their performance then they often will. This requires the coach to find a special blend of strength and openness in order to be stern and in control whilst remaining approachable and caring. The coach has to work out his players’ personalities and know which ones will look for excuses and which ones need a degree of attention and care to raise their confidence and performance levels. This is a tricky balance to find and a challenge for any coach to master. The following points are a good guide for a coach to adopt: Have a strong, trustworthy coaching team. Make sure you are fully backed up by your coaching team when in the dressing room and in front of the players. Be confident and in control when giving any information to your team. Always be adaptable and flexible and be fair to the players. This way you will gain full respect from your players. Do not pretend to know everything. Stick to your philosophy and be confident in that. Don’t be afraid to ask your players’ questions as this will keep their attention and make them feel that they are being heard. Above all, respect your players. Do not let personal favourites or personality clashes cloud your judgment. Players respect fairness so base your decisions on players' performances and attitude. This way a player should have no problems if they are dropped as they know that your decisions are fair and based on form.
Coaching styles [19 Jun @ 9:49am]
Here are 3 styles that are used in coaching: Command style This is an autocratic way of getting your point across. It is bossy and to the point. No asking questions, simply telling players what you think and how to do things. Although this sounds overpowering it has its uses, especially when giving half-time team talks when there is not much time to analyse. The command style is useful when initially stamping your authority on a group of players and can be used at your discretion when you feel order needs to be attained. Question and answer style This is a democratic way of coaching and relies on the players responding to find the answers to the questions that you are asking them. It is used primarily when coaching kids and has the benefit of raising their confidence when they answer correctly and makes them feel involved. This style is still used in the professional game as well, as it is a way of getting feedback from your players and seeing their point of view in various situations on the pitch. Guided discovery style This is basically a step further from the ‘question and answer’ style as you allow the players to show you instead of telling you. Again, this is primarily used when coaching kids and is a great way of increasing participation and confidence within the group you are coaching. Instead of squeezing answers out of your group, you will let them actively show you the answer to the question you are posing. Summary All in all, it is a combination of these styles that will bring you most success when coaching your group of players and your discernment and experience will help you decide which styles to adopt and when. Your decisions will be based on and influenced by the group’s age, ability and attitude.
Coaching methods [19 Jun @ 9:50am]
There are a number of factors to take into account when coaching a group of players. Attitude The attitude of the players is instrumental in influencing your coaching method. The players may be on a losing streak and feeling a little downhearted and negative. This attitude makes coaching very challenging as negativity makes players far less receptive to new information. They can become very irritable and easily disillusioned if they cannot get to grips with what you are coaching. The idea may be to set up a high tempo drill or a small sided game to get them going and to shake them out of their current state. An upbeat and enthusiastic approach is even more important when dealing with such an attitude as it is often the coach the players look to for inspiration and motivation. Climate If it is too hot and/or humid, the session has to be thought out carefully. The players' quality and ability to concentrate can be severely affected in such conditions. In such an instance, lots of breaks should be incorporated into the practice with emphasis on short drills but high quality. Extreme cold or rain can have a negative effect on your sessions. It is imperative in this instance to have the session well planned so the players are not standing around and getting cold. Also, the motivation from the coach is all important. No matter how down you may feel in such conditions, it is important the players see your enthusiasm and know that you can adapt no matter how frustrated you may be in such conditions. Players The standard of the players you are coaching and the number of players you are coaching are key factors that will affect your coaching style. Have you got a goalkeeper to work with? Are there any important players missing ? Everything has to be taken into account before adopting the session you feel will be most beneficial. Facilities The surface you will be training on is an essential factor in deciding what to do in your session. Is the pitch bumpy, flat, artificial or muddy? Have you got the necessary equipment to put your session on. Are there enough bibs, balls etc.? Although a good quality surface is ideal, it is not the be all and end all for you to put an enjoyable session - some coaches have had to use car parks to put a practice on. It is all about adapting to your circumstances - always have a Plan B at hand. In order to get coaching points across in the most effective way, the coach has to adapt and decide on a number of different styles relevant to the players he/she is coaching.
Communicating with players [19 Jun @ 9:52am]
Essentially, it is a coach’s ability to communicate that determines his/her success. Having the best session content is of no use if you cannot communicate effectively with your players. Players are human beings with various quirks and hang-ups like the rest of us and a skilled coach can see and adapt to these obstacles when he/she has learnt to communicate effectively. The coach must understand that each player responds to information in different ways. Just because you have told a player something does not necessarily mean it has registered and they have taken it on board. Some players need to be taken to the side and encouraged rather than be embarrassed in front of the group. Others need a stern word and a clear no-nonsense set of instructions. You need to negotiate this array of personalities in order to communicate your points with clarity. Simplicity As a rule of thumb, your instructions should be simple, concise and to the point. There is nothing worse than a coach who dishes out mumbled and jumbled messages that are unclear. This only confuses players and frustrates them as they are always looking for clear direction from their coach. The players are essentially looking to implement what the coach wants and it makes them feel good about themselves when they have successfully understood and done what the coach has requested. This builds confidence in the player and enhances their performance. Positivity Always convey positive messages to your players. It is of no use to the player to be constantly told what he/she is not doing well as this will damage confidence and will not make them a better player. Any mistakes that need to be addressed should be dealt with constructively and with a simple explanation as to why you wish the player to change what he/she is doing. Tell them why it is the wrong decision/position/pass etc.. Always adopt a positive approach to coaching and games as the coach is the flagship of the team and it is to them that the players look to for confidence and inspiration. This is important to remember as, no matter how down or defeatist you may be feeling, it is imperative that this is not conveyed to the players in any way as this will only knock their confidence. Interaction with the team Be open with your team. Encourage any questions that the players may have. The more open and positive and knowledgeable you show yourself to be, the more respect and confidence the players will have in you. If your beliefs and methods are sound then there should be no fear in being open with your players when it comes to sticking to and defending your way of play. Although being open is a positive trait, do not let the players start to dictate as they can soon step above their station and become misguided and negative in their assumptions. If you feel that your interaction is drifting too far down the players' side then use your discernment and step in to retain order and bring the discussion back under your control and influence. You are the boss and the players need to respect this. Summary As coach you will have to learn how to effectively communicate with your players on an individual and a team basis. The art of getting to know your players and knowing how best they respond to instruction is key in your overall success as coach. Following the hints given here you can build a confident and open demeanour that all players will respect and respond to.
Session management [19 Jun @ 9:53am]
The coach should plan and conduct his/her coaching sessions on sound principles, which enhance the learning process for all their players and the team. The following model provides a systematic approach to delivering effective sessions to assist the coach in achieving this. Planning Session planning is often overlooked by coaches, especially at grassroots level. The tendency to repeat sessions every week with no specific aim is demotivating for the players and can be detrimental to their learning and improvement. It is recommended to write down your session beforehand and to have a list of ‘Key Points’ you wish to make during and after the session. A simple session sheet as shown in diag 1(in the attached PDF) is a good way of organizing your ideas so you can carry it with you throughout the practice for reference. This will ensure that you have all the essential information to hand and will give you confidence when coaching. Organising The key to effectively organizing your session is in the planning. Make sure you arrive 15 minutes before the players so you have enough time to set up the cones, goals, balls etc.. Players appreciate a structured practice session and they like to get on with things, so spend as little time as possible setting things up while the players are there. If you have a number of drills planned for a single session, ensure that these are all set up in the 15 minute period you have given yourself before the session starts. This will enable a smooth transition from one activity to another. Watching When observing the players during training it is best to take up a position where you can see the whole picture. A position of height is a great advantage. Where you stand should be dependent on what you wish to emphasise during your session. For instance, if you wanted to work on the defence, then taking up a position behind your defenders could be advantageous to see exactly what needs to be worked on. In general, a central position is best as you can observe the entire team and can jump in when you wish to explain any relevant coaching points. The only rule of thumb is not to be in a position that stops the general flow of the session. Coaching A useful coaching formula that should be used as often as possible is ‘explain’, ‘demonstrate’ and ‘imitate’. The idea is to first explain the skill or technique you wish to coach so that the players have a firm idea of what is expected from them. Secondly, provide a demonstration. This reinforces the explanation and players prefer it as they get to see the skill/technique in action. Thirdly, get the players to imitate what you have just shown them so that they attempt what you are coaching. This gives them confidence in delivering what you have asked of them. It is important to watch your players in open play first so that when any opportunity to coach your ‘Key Points’ arises you can step in. Always be specific when coaching any technical detail as this is easier for the player to take on board. It is important to coach at the ball first. This means actually coach the player on the ball, whether it be his/her positioning, skill or awareness that is at fault. Secondly, coach the players near the ball. This means coach the players around the man on the ball and help them with their positioning and awareness. Thirdly, coach away from the ball. This means coaching the players furthest from the play as all players are relevant and it is important they know how they are affecting the game even if they are far away from the ball. It is advised to work through the three areas gradually through the session starting with the player on the ball first. As a coach it is essential that you are enthusiastic when making your points and that you are sure about what you are saying. Playrs often pick up any signs of uncertainty, which can breed a lack of confidence in the information you are giving. Developing the session After the session has finished it is important to evaluate any ways you can develop the session for future practices. There are two key questions to attend to when evaluating: If some players are struggling to cope with the session, how would you adapt it to make it more achievable for them? If some players are finding the session too easy, how can you adapt the session to make it more demanding for them? Progression of practice is important in keeping players motivated and improving their performance. Self evaluation When reviewing your sessions there are a number of questions you need to ask: Were arrangements and organization appropriate - i.e. facilities, equipment, etc.? Did the session meet the players needs and expectations? Was your coaching style and communication appropriate to the players? Did the players performance improve as expected? What feedback have you had from other people involved in the session - i.e. players, parents, other coaches? If you were to coach this session again what might you change? After going through these questions you should have a good idea of how to improve the practice for future use. In this way you can detect weaknesses so to avoid problems and design better practice sessions for future use. So, for referral, the key aspects for planning your sessions are: Pre-planning Organising Watching Coaching Developing Self-evaluating
Motivating players [19 Jun @ 9:54am]
The idea behind motivating your players is to find ways to eliminate any blocks they might have in performing to the best of their ability. Ideally all your players should be fully motivated in every game they play, but this is not always the case. It is the coach’s job to find ways to free the players' minds and unlock any negative, restricting beliefs that may be affecting their motivation and performance. Typical things to look for in your players that may be effecting their motivation and performance: Anxiety Low confidence Shyness Fear Being over-hyped Aggressiveness All of these blocks can seriously affect a player’s performance. It is the coach’s job to find ways to neutralise these fears and establish a more positive frame of mind. Essentially, a lack in confidence can underlie all of these blocks and therefore it is imperative that the coach projects a confident and strong, yet caring, image on a consistent basis. If the coach feels a player may be having problems off the pitch then a discrete conversation with the player’s friends/parents/teammates can be an effective way of establishing what is wrong before approaching the player. Make sure this is done in a caring and casual way as the player will feel extremely uneasy if he thinks that you are snooping behind his back. A caring and discrete chat in private with a player like this will make a dramatic effect on his/her confidence and will hopefully motivate the player to perform as he/she knows that they are important enough to be talked to in such a manner. All of these negative blocks can creep into your players for a variety of reasons. Below are 3 circumstances that can cause different motivational problems to arise and ways to deal with them. When on a losing streak A negative run of results will inevitably affect your players' confidence, so it is essential that you remain calm and focused. In essence, whatever state of mind you wish your players to adopt you must present yourself. It is no good getting upset and angry with the players as this will only heap more pressure on them. Mistakes creep into players' games when they are fearful and unsure of their ability, which is what can happen when on a losing streak. It is important to show support and belief in your players and assure them, with confidence, that if they keep doing what they are good at then results will change and improve. You can even go through the team individually and tell them what they are good at and what you expect from them on a match day. This simplifies things for players and gets them focused on what they are good at and stops any negative thoughts creeping in. When on a winning streak When faced with a winning streak there are different things to look out for. Complacency may creep into some players' games - this is something you can look out for in training and match days. It is important that as soon as you see this sort of attitude creeping in, you stamp it out by giving the players a good jolt or talking to. This will get your players concentrating again as they will realise that you are not getting carried away but are firmly focusing on the job in hand. Other players may become jaded and tired due to the pressures of flying high and the expectancy to win. If performing poorly, these players can be rested as this will give them time out to regain their motivation and develop a stronger will to get back into the team and keep their slot. When placed mid-table with nothing to play for This is a difficult position to be in as a coach as the players have nothing to play for and there is a decreased level of motivation throughout. The team will often find it hard-going against the more motivated teams below them and risk losing these games because of this. A good idea as coach is to motivate the players by looking to next season and trying out new ideas to get the players thinking. They should realise that they have to perform in order to be in your plans for next season. You can try players out in different positions or implement new systems of play or even bring in a new player to keep everyone on their toes. Always get across to the players that pride in their own performance is important and that keeping their own personal standards high is an attribute that is respected by yourself, as coach, and also by their fellow team mates. The idea of being respected for their efforts is a massive motivational tool as this is essentially what all players look to achieve. They all wish for their performances to be recognized and respected. Use this!! Summary An overall summary of a coach’s motivational skills can be assessed by being calm and supportive in all situations. Pre-match team talks should be conducted simply, concisely and with a supportive attitude by always stating your belief in the players' ability. Football is a team game and, as head of this team, the coach needs to be part of the group, albeit in an authoritative way. It is the coach’s place to be strong, supportive, confident and caring on a consistent basis always knowing when to give players a jolt and when to give a supportive word. By being in control and in charge of your group, whilst remaining part of the group, you can produce players that will run through proverbial brick walls for you and this is every coach’s dream.
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