When you look at what a coach does
it comes down to 4 basic things,
it is leadership,
it is communication,
it is teaching,
it is motivation.
It really comes down to just those four things.
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Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Saturday
Friday
Lead yourself.
In our locale there is a political rift between the mayor and the president of the local chapter of the NAACP. Their feuding has boiled over into the local social media in a purely negative manner. I find the whole thing terribly embarrassing and can only wonder what others must think of our community.
As I pondered this situation it occurred to me the quality of leadership can be found to be lacking. Believe it or not, that is not a condemnation of either of the primary individuals involved in this on-going dispute. Rather, it's simply an acknowledgment that leadership has many levels and a certain diligence must be put into the process of leading if we are to have the best possible leadership.
What in the world does this have to do with soccer?
(Hit the jump for the rest of the article)
As I pondered this situation it occurred to me the quality of leadership can be found to be lacking. Believe it or not, that is not a condemnation of either of the primary individuals involved in this on-going dispute. Rather, it's simply an acknowledgment that leadership has many levels and a certain diligence must be put into the process of leading if we are to have the best possible leadership.
What in the world does this have to do with soccer?
(Hit the jump for the rest of the article)
Saturday
The Coach's Perspective on Tryouts
The Coach's Perspective on Tryouts
We have looked at some
generalities of the tryout process and then at the parent / player side of the
process. Now, let’s take a look at things from a coach’s point of view.
A coach should enter the tryout
process with both an open mind and a well mapped plan for assembling a
team. The balance between the two is
important. So too is the ability to remained focused throughout the process of
selecting your team. I think the best way to approach this article will be to
share some experiences I have been a part of or a witness to. Cynicism will unfortunately creep in to this
article at times. I apologize beforehand, but it is a necessary ingredient for
making some of the points that need to be made. Through these experiences I
hope the coaches reading this will learn and avoid some of the mistakes others
have made before them.
The guiding principles when
selecting a team should be honesty and fairness.
Friday
No Brain?
No Pain
No Gain
I think we are all familiar with this motivational slogan. And I will not argue against the measure of truth it holds. However, I don't think those four words are enough to complete the thought process they begin. I believe four more words are needed.
No Brain
No Gain
The first set of words addresses the need to train the physical body for competition. The second set of words identifies the importance to train and play with as much intelligence as possible.
Monday
Teamwork
I cannot begin to count the number of pickup games I have played over the years. Basketball, baseball, soccer, football, kickball, whiffle ball: we learned early to pick sides and play. My wife always marvelled at how I could find a group of complete strangers playing a game at a park and in no time be a part of the action. A quick introduction during a break in the action and when play resumed I had a new set of teammates and more often than not new friends as well.
As I watched my son and his friends participate in the Ohio South ODP College Showcase event this past weekend I was struck by how quickly the players established roles on the field. These were basically pick up games involving 70 of the best 16 year old soccer players in Ohio South. There was potential for a lot of selfish play to present itself, but on my son's "Ireland" team this never became a problem. From the very beginning the individuals shared the ball with the passing being quite good. It was much the same on the defensive side of the ball as players instinctively worked together.
Yes, there was some individualism that reared its head but the kids took care of that themselves and did so in relatively short order. I have seen this through the years and it never ceases to amaze me. If you won't pass the ball, soon you will not be passed the ball either. If you pass the ball and in doing so help your teammates look good, they will generally return the favor or will find themselves being isolated from play. If you play defense, you immediately earn the respect of your teammates. If you don't defend, your team will work to isolate you so you are not involved in defending.
The boys were allowed to call off the player they wished to substitute for and by the end of the first session it was clear which players were earning the trust of their teammates and which were being subbed off on a regular basis. The best teammates played the vast majority of minutes in these games. Not always the best players although that pecking order was being established as well, but the players that played best with others.
As a coach, I am always conscious during training of the player(s) who constantly breakdown an activity. Who are the players whose decision making is most questionable, who take excessive touches, who are always losing possession of the ball or are the weak link defensively. Even in training, as the competitive spirit comes forth, these players will be isolated from play. I observed the same thing happening at the ODP event this weekend.
I remind the members of my teams constantly that every time they step onto the field it is a tryout. Not only a tryout in terms of soccer but also in terms of life. You never know who is watching: a college recruiter or a possible future employer, someone you might call upon as a reference, the young lady you might want to date or even marry might be watching you. First impressions as crucial. This was evident at the ODP event this weekend as well. If your first touches on the ball involved poor decison-making or selfish play, it set the tone for your weekend. If your first opportunity to defend involved poor or little effort, it set the tone for your weekend.
These were lessons I learned early in life. Scoring the basketball was always my strength, but sometimes that was not the role I needed to play for my team. In those pickup games of my youth, there were often older established players or perhaps scorers who were better than I or merely more familar to the group I had joined. I filled other roles until I earned the right to score the ball by taking advantage of opportunities through the run of play. Defending and passing the ball are excellent ways to establish trust with new or familar teammates. Making hustle plays endears yourself to teammates - rebound goals as opposed to the primary shot or winning / saving a loose ball to a teammate instead of waiting for someone to do so for you.
I became a very good defender by choice. In pickup games almost no one wants to defend the other teams best scorer. It involves hard work of both mind and body. I always took the other teams best scorer. I gained immediate acceptance in any group by doing so. And it led to opportunities to do what I liked to do best - score the ball. That approach helped earn me my first job in corporate accounting for an international retailer before I ever graduated from college.
As I watched the play this weekend one thought was constant in my mind: the kids that were showing well all played with an attitude of "what can I do for my team" while the ones that struggled were seemingly all about "what the team should do for me". Pickup games are often like that, but so too is life. As a coach I look at a players decision-making abilities as the key consideration in any evaluation of their play. This lesson was learned from playing (and observing) countless pickup games over the years. The ability to identify players who make good decisions with, AND perhaps especially without, the ball are the ones I want on my team.
Next time you ask players to choose up sides or are involved in a pickup game yourself take note of when players are taken. The ability of being a good teammate is highly prized often times even over playing ability. There's are reasons for that.
As I watched my son and his friends participate in the Ohio South ODP College Showcase event this past weekend I was struck by how quickly the players established roles on the field. These were basically pick up games involving 70 of the best 16 year old soccer players in Ohio South. There was potential for a lot of selfish play to present itself, but on my son's "Ireland" team this never became a problem. From the very beginning the individuals shared the ball with the passing being quite good. It was much the same on the defensive side of the ball as players instinctively worked together.
Yes, there was some individualism that reared its head but the kids took care of that themselves and did so in relatively short order. I have seen this through the years and it never ceases to amaze me. If you won't pass the ball, soon you will not be passed the ball either. If you pass the ball and in doing so help your teammates look good, they will generally return the favor or will find themselves being isolated from play. If you play defense, you immediately earn the respect of your teammates. If you don't defend, your team will work to isolate you so you are not involved in defending.
The boys were allowed to call off the player they wished to substitute for and by the end of the first session it was clear which players were earning the trust of their teammates and which were being subbed off on a regular basis. The best teammates played the vast majority of minutes in these games. Not always the best players although that pecking order was being established as well, but the players that played best with others.
As a coach, I am always conscious during training of the player(s) who constantly breakdown an activity. Who are the players whose decision making is most questionable, who take excessive touches, who are always losing possession of the ball or are the weak link defensively. Even in training, as the competitive spirit comes forth, these players will be isolated from play. I observed the same thing happening at the ODP event this weekend.
I remind the members of my teams constantly that every time they step onto the field it is a tryout. Not only a tryout in terms of soccer but also in terms of life. You never know who is watching: a college recruiter or a possible future employer, someone you might call upon as a reference, the young lady you might want to date or even marry might be watching you. First impressions as crucial. This was evident at the ODP event this weekend as well. If your first touches on the ball involved poor decison-making or selfish play, it set the tone for your weekend. If your first opportunity to defend involved poor or little effort, it set the tone for your weekend.
These were lessons I learned early in life. Scoring the basketball was always my strength, but sometimes that was not the role I needed to play for my team. In those pickup games of my youth, there were often older established players or perhaps scorers who were better than I or merely more familar to the group I had joined. I filled other roles until I earned the right to score the ball by taking advantage of opportunities through the run of play. Defending and passing the ball are excellent ways to establish trust with new or familar teammates. Making hustle plays endears yourself to teammates - rebound goals as opposed to the primary shot or winning / saving a loose ball to a teammate instead of waiting for someone to do so for you.
I became a very good defender by choice. In pickup games almost no one wants to defend the other teams best scorer. It involves hard work of both mind and body. I always took the other teams best scorer. I gained immediate acceptance in any group by doing so. And it led to opportunities to do what I liked to do best - score the ball. That approach helped earn me my first job in corporate accounting for an international retailer before I ever graduated from college.
As I watched the play this weekend one thought was constant in my mind: the kids that were showing well all played with an attitude of "what can I do for my team" while the ones that struggled were seemingly all about "what the team should do for me". Pickup games are often like that, but so too is life. As a coach I look at a players decision-making abilities as the key consideration in any evaluation of their play. This lesson was learned from playing (and observing) countless pickup games over the years. The ability to identify players who make good decisions with, AND perhaps especially without, the ball are the ones I want on my team.
Next time you ask players to choose up sides or are involved in a pickup game yourself take note of when players are taken. The ability of being a good teammate is highly prized often times even over playing ability. There's are reasons for that.
Labels:
Accountability,
analyzing play,
attitude,
CBA Soccer,
communication,
Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer,
Defending,
Humility,
Leadership,
motivation,
ownership,
preparation,
recruiting,
Respect,
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teamwork
Wednesday
The Currency of Success is Appreciation
I have been strolling down memory lane of late reminiscing about past glory of teams I have been associated with seeking the common threads. Several words have come to mind including leadership, resiliency, work ethic... and appreciation. It seems to me I always felt appreciated on the best of those teams. Be it the 4th grade undefeated Parkmore Tigers or the St Matthew men's softball team or the Grand Lake United U19 team... I have always felt appreciated for the contributions I made to the teams success.
I have, of course, also remembered the talented teams that underachieved and found appreciation was almost always lacking on those teams. There was the basketball team that seemingly had everything - great size, speed, skill - yet struggled to a .500 record. A softball team as talented as any I have ever played on that failed to win the league and was routinely bounced from tournaments early. The soccer team with mediocre success despite an abundance of individual talent. On these teams I often felt like a piece of meat, a number on the roster, someone to round out a line up. Underappreciated and longing for a word of acknowledgement for the contributions I had made to the team effort.
I recall that when participating on those underachieving teams I made a point of acknowledging the efforts of others because of the lack of appreciation I felt for the contributions I made. That's me. However, I am not a saint. I also recall how I focused on individual accomplishments when a team was not performing to potential. I wanted to lead the team in doubles, or to lead the team in scoring irregardless of the teams success. A selfish attitude for sure, but if my teammates or coaches did not appreciate me I could at least appreciate myself.
It occurs to me that successful teams celebrate one another's individual successes as contributions, big and small alike, to the teams efforts. In fast pitch softball it might be the laying down of a bunt, a sacrifice. In basketball or soccer, making an extra pass to a teammate who has a better scoring opportunity than you do, an assist. I have myself described this as playing for one another.
In softball after failing to get a hit with runners in scoring position we would often ask the next batter to "pick me up" and when they came through would always thank them for having done so. In basketball taking a help side charge or coming from across the lane to block a shot were having a teammates back. We were there for one another and not concerned with who got credit for a job well done because we lavished praise upon one another in celebrating our success.
I think the most important contribution any of us can make is to be appreciative of those around us and the contributions they make to our team, our lives and the success we find in these. I was on the right track as a player, but did not persevere to see it through and change the culture on those underachieving teams. I don't know if I could have been successful or not... and that's a regret. I regret surrendering myself to a negative team culture when I knew better.
This is not to say we should never be critical of one another, but the appreciation we show of and for one another must be dominant over any negativity shown to one another. The "Oreo" or "sandwich" approach to coaching. Before criticizing a player, find a positive in his play. Then address the issue at hand before concluding with another word of praise. Let that player know you care not just about his play, but about him as a person. Let him know you value his contributions. Praise his efforts. In return that player will redouble his efforts for the team.
Both positive culture and negative culture are contagious. Breed a culture of positive re-enforcement with the recognition that the choice is yours to make. Praise the players, your teammates, their efforts much more than you criticize them. Be patient through mistakes understanding they are opportunities to learn. Teach in a calm enabling manner instead of being critical and condescending. Bring out the best in one another by telling each other frequently how much you appreciate efforts on behalf of the team. When you score a goal, go find the person who assisted immediately and thank him for the great pass. Celebrate the accomplishment together. When the goalkeeper makes a great save, let him know as soon as possible what a great play he made... and thank him for doing so, for having your back, for picking you up.
Appreciation, the currency of success. How rich in appreciation is your team?
I have, of course, also remembered the talented teams that underachieved and found appreciation was almost always lacking on those teams. There was the basketball team that seemingly had everything - great size, speed, skill - yet struggled to a .500 record. A softball team as talented as any I have ever played on that failed to win the league and was routinely bounced from tournaments early. The soccer team with mediocre success despite an abundance of individual talent. On these teams I often felt like a piece of meat, a number on the roster, someone to round out a line up. Underappreciated and longing for a word of acknowledgement for the contributions I had made to the team effort.
I recall that when participating on those underachieving teams I made a point of acknowledging the efforts of others because of the lack of appreciation I felt for the contributions I made. That's me. However, I am not a saint. I also recall how I focused on individual accomplishments when a team was not performing to potential. I wanted to lead the team in doubles, or to lead the team in scoring irregardless of the teams success. A selfish attitude for sure, but if my teammates or coaches did not appreciate me I could at least appreciate myself.
It occurs to me that successful teams celebrate one another's individual successes as contributions, big and small alike, to the teams efforts. In fast pitch softball it might be the laying down of a bunt, a sacrifice. In basketball or soccer, making an extra pass to a teammate who has a better scoring opportunity than you do, an assist. I have myself described this as playing for one another.
In softball after failing to get a hit with runners in scoring position we would often ask the next batter to "pick me up" and when they came through would always thank them for having done so. In basketball taking a help side charge or coming from across the lane to block a shot were having a teammates back. We were there for one another and not concerned with who got credit for a job well done because we lavished praise upon one another in celebrating our success.
I think the most important contribution any of us can make is to be appreciative of those around us and the contributions they make to our team, our lives and the success we find in these. I was on the right track as a player, but did not persevere to see it through and change the culture on those underachieving teams. I don't know if I could have been successful or not... and that's a regret. I regret surrendering myself to a negative team culture when I knew better.
This is not to say we should never be critical of one another, but the appreciation we show of and for one another must be dominant over any negativity shown to one another. The "Oreo" or "sandwich" approach to coaching. Before criticizing a player, find a positive in his play. Then address the issue at hand before concluding with another word of praise. Let that player know you care not just about his play, but about him as a person. Let him know you value his contributions. Praise his efforts. In return that player will redouble his efforts for the team.
Both positive culture and negative culture are contagious. Breed a culture of positive re-enforcement with the recognition that the choice is yours to make. Praise the players, your teammates, their efforts much more than you criticize them. Be patient through mistakes understanding they are opportunities to learn. Teach in a calm enabling manner instead of being critical and condescending. Bring out the best in one another by telling each other frequently how much you appreciate efforts on behalf of the team. When you score a goal, go find the person who assisted immediately and thank him for the great pass. Celebrate the accomplishment together. When the goalkeeper makes a great save, let him know as soon as possible what a great play he made... and thank him for doing so, for having your back, for picking you up.
Appreciation, the currency of success. How rich in appreciation is your team?
Tuesday
Friday
You dissed me!
When I hold a “parents meeting” in preparation for a season one of the things covered is consequences for misconduct on the field and on the parent’s sideline. I do often wonder why it has become necessary to even do so. It is a bit discouraging to realize how often our young people use the word “disrespect” as a verb and to justify their own disrespectful actions toward the perpetrator of this crime.
Yes, I am old and very definitely old school as the kids would say.
I believe sports teach life lessons and one of the most important of those is to respect one another. In the context of a sporting event, players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators as well as organizers and hosts must operate with a healthy measure of respect for one another for the event to be a success.
PLAYERS are the focal point of sporting contests. Whether you are a starter, a substitute or even a seldom used bench warmer the respect you give towards all others in attendance sets the standard. On match day the expectation is for you to work with your coaches and captains to allow the referee to perform their role as managers of the game without the abuse of dissent.
You have a duty to respect the game you play and all of its participants. We have a severe shortage of referees and the primary reason for this is the abuse players, coaches, parents and spectators subject them to. Protect the game you love by showing respect for the referee crew and all participants.
COACHES have the most important role in establishing a healthy level of respect in the game. They are not only responsible for themselves, but also for their players and the spectators present to cheer the team on.
On game day, it is a responsibility of the coaches to work with their players, the players parents and all spectators to insure the referees can fulfill their role in the contest without be subjected to abuse.
By setting the example in demonstrating respect for all other participants coaches can insure the overall success of the sporting event.
REFEREES have the most difficult job on game day. Players, coaches, parents and spectators all expect perfection from the referees. It can be difficult to maintain respect for people who dispute your judgment and constantly heap verbal abuse on you. Nonetheless, this is what the referees must do.
Referees who manage the game with respect for both the game and its participants can diffuse tensions and keep the game on course toward a successful conclusion.
Referees can also provide a valuable service to coaches and organizations by providing feedback on player and spectator behavior during matches. It is not only a sign or respect to listen to referee feedback but vitally important to address their legitimate concerns if securing high quality officiating for future matches is important to you.
PARENTS AND SPECTATORS cheering in a respectful manner goes a long ways towards an enjoyable experience for all. Unfortunately, sometimes the competition along the parents sidelines or in the stands is as fierce as it is on the pitch.
Our league requires parents to sign a Code of Conduct. There are severe repercussions for violating this Code of Conduct that extend to the teams coaches as well. Obviously there was a need to implement these measures. This is not only a shame but a disgrace to youth sports.
Parents need to set a proper example for their children. Verbal abuse to an extent a referee removes a parent from a venue sets a horrible example. In my opinion, it is worse even than a coach or player being dismissed from the contest. Respect starts at home.
Verbal abuse of players by parents / spectators amounts to nothing short of bullying. Shameful behavior that should not and will not be tolerated on my watch. Respect starts at home, but unfortunately disrespect starts at home as well. I applaud the commercials on TV encouraging kids to make a stand against bullying. We should all heed the message.
HOSTS AND ORGANIZERS show respect by taking care of the details and being prepared to host the event. The field is properly marked. Corner flags are in place. Restroom facilities are open and clean. Concessions are available. Ball boys are available. All the details that go into hosting a contest are readied in advance.
In the unfortunate advent of an uncooperative participant they are prepared and ready to support the referee’s decisions, handle the situation and diffuse tensions.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS on Respect and Disrespect: If you want respect, you earn it. You earn respect by following the golden rule. Matthew 7:12, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. It really is that simple. If you would not want someone to come to your place of work and verbally abuse you, do not verbally abuse the referees, coaches, players or other spectators. If you do not like being disrespected, do not disrespect others. And when you witness disrespect or bullying, make a stand!
Yes, I am old and very definitely old school as the kids would say.
I believe sports teach life lessons and one of the most important of those is to respect one another. In the context of a sporting event, players, coaches, referees, parents and spectators as well as organizers and hosts must operate with a healthy measure of respect for one another for the event to be a success.
PLAYERS are the focal point of sporting contests. Whether you are a starter, a substitute or even a seldom used bench warmer the respect you give towards all others in attendance sets the standard. On match day the expectation is for you to work with your coaches and captains to allow the referee to perform their role as managers of the game without the abuse of dissent.
You have a duty to respect the game you play and all of its participants. We have a severe shortage of referees and the primary reason for this is the abuse players, coaches, parents and spectators subject them to. Protect the game you love by showing respect for the referee crew and all participants.
COACHES have the most important role in establishing a healthy level of respect in the game. They are not only responsible for themselves, but also for their players and the spectators present to cheer the team on.
On game day, it is a responsibility of the coaches to work with their players, the players parents and all spectators to insure the referees can fulfill their role in the contest without be subjected to abuse.
By setting the example in demonstrating respect for all other participants coaches can insure the overall success of the sporting event.
REFEREES have the most difficult job on game day. Players, coaches, parents and spectators all expect perfection from the referees. It can be difficult to maintain respect for people who dispute your judgment and constantly heap verbal abuse on you. Nonetheless, this is what the referees must do.
Referees who manage the game with respect for both the game and its participants can diffuse tensions and keep the game on course toward a successful conclusion.
Referees can also provide a valuable service to coaches and organizations by providing feedback on player and spectator behavior during matches. It is not only a sign or respect to listen to referee feedback but vitally important to address their legitimate concerns if securing high quality officiating for future matches is important to you.
PARENTS AND SPECTATORS cheering in a respectful manner goes a long ways towards an enjoyable experience for all. Unfortunately, sometimes the competition along the parents sidelines or in the stands is as fierce as it is on the pitch.
Our league requires parents to sign a Code of Conduct. There are severe repercussions for violating this Code of Conduct that extend to the teams coaches as well. Obviously there was a need to implement these measures. This is not only a shame but a disgrace to youth sports.
Parents need to set a proper example for their children. Verbal abuse to an extent a referee removes a parent from a venue sets a horrible example. In my opinion, it is worse even than a coach or player being dismissed from the contest. Respect starts at home.
Verbal abuse of players by parents / spectators amounts to nothing short of bullying. Shameful behavior that should not and will not be tolerated on my watch. Respect starts at home, but unfortunately disrespect starts at home as well. I applaud the commercials on TV encouraging kids to make a stand against bullying. We should all heed the message.
HOSTS AND ORGANIZERS show respect by taking care of the details and being prepared to host the event. The field is properly marked. Corner flags are in place. Restroom facilities are open and clean. Concessions are available. Ball boys are available. All the details that go into hosting a contest are readied in advance.
In the unfortunate advent of an uncooperative participant they are prepared and ready to support the referee’s decisions, handle the situation and diffuse tensions.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS on Respect and Disrespect: If you want respect, you earn it. You earn respect by following the golden rule. Matthew 7:12, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. It really is that simple. If you would not want someone to come to your place of work and verbally abuse you, do not verbally abuse the referees, coaches, players or other spectators. If you do not like being disrespected, do not disrespect others. And when you witness disrespect or bullying, make a stand!
Traits of a Good Coach
A good coach knows results are not the ultimate measure of success in athletics.
Passion For The Game: Coaches need to love the sport they coach and be able to share their enthusiasm for their sport with the players entrusted to them. Their passion must transcend all aspects of the game - the teaching of technique and tactics, respect for the spirit of the game, opponents, officials and spectators and ensuring a positive environment of encouragement and empowerment.
Love of Players: A coach needs to love working with the players of the age group he coaches. The relationship between coach and player should energize and motivate both parties. It is a relationship to be celebrated in the context of athletics and in the broader spectrum of life.
Knowledge: A coach must be a student of the game. Continuing education is not an option. The moment you think you know everything there is to know about the game is the point in time you should stop coaching.
The Ability to Teach: This is a companion to knowledge. A coach must have an ability to teach the basics fundamentals and deeper intricacies of the game. In order to do so the coach will need to recognize not all players learn in the same manner and be able to adapt lesson / practice plans to keep everyone on the same page.
Patience: This might be the most important trait a coach needs. On the soccer field the decisions players make can evoke emotions ranging from satisfaction to bewilderment to irritation. And then there are the off-the-field issues that can creep into the equation as well. Being able to maintain an even keel is of vital importance for a coach.
Tolerance: Is the companion of patience. Players bring the entire range of emotions with them to practice and the game. Getting them to be able to focus and concentrate on soccer for the time you have them can be a challenge. The ability to enable players to channel their energies in a focused and positive direction on the task at hand (soccer) is a key characteristic found in good coaches.
Acceptance: The third part of the coaching trinity along with Patience and Tolerance is Acceptance. Each player is an individual and each comes with varied potential, technical and tactical skill levels. Each player has value as an individual and as a member of your team. You must acknowledge and nurture that worth in order to spark passion for the sport and a desire to work on improving within each player.
Respect: Treat players with the respect you wish to be treated with. You may think the title of coach brings you respect, but you would be wrong. Respect is not given or bestowed upon a coach. As a coach you must earn respect just as you expect players to earn your respect.
Motivation: I include motivation in this listing because we so often hear of its importance in athletics, but if we take care of Patience, Tolerance, Acceptance and Respect you will find little difficulty in motivating players... or people.
Sportsmanship: I include sportsmanship much as I did motivation for if we are patient, tolerant, accepting and respectful it stands to reason we will also exhibit good sportsmanship.
In summation, coaching is about treating people as you would like to be treated while igniting a passion within them to become the best they can be as a player and teammate in the sport they have chosen to participate in.
Passion For The Game: Coaches need to love the sport they coach and be able to share their enthusiasm for their sport with the players entrusted to them. Their passion must transcend all aspects of the game - the teaching of technique and tactics, respect for the spirit of the game, opponents, officials and spectators and ensuring a positive environment of encouragement and empowerment.
Love of Players: A coach needs to love working with the players of the age group he coaches. The relationship between coach and player should energize and motivate both parties. It is a relationship to be celebrated in the context of athletics and in the broader spectrum of life.
Knowledge: A coach must be a student of the game. Continuing education is not an option. The moment you think you know everything there is to know about the game is the point in time you should stop coaching.
The Ability to Teach: This is a companion to knowledge. A coach must have an ability to teach the basics fundamentals and deeper intricacies of the game. In order to do so the coach will need to recognize not all players learn in the same manner and be able to adapt lesson / practice plans to keep everyone on the same page.
Patience: This might be the most important trait a coach needs. On the soccer field the decisions players make can evoke emotions ranging from satisfaction to bewilderment to irritation. And then there are the off-the-field issues that can creep into the equation as well. Being able to maintain an even keel is of vital importance for a coach.
Tolerance: Is the companion of patience. Players bring the entire range of emotions with them to practice and the game. Getting them to be able to focus and concentrate on soccer for the time you have them can be a challenge. The ability to enable players to channel their energies in a focused and positive direction on the task at hand (soccer) is a key characteristic found in good coaches.
Acceptance: The third part of the coaching trinity along with Patience and Tolerance is Acceptance. Each player is an individual and each comes with varied potential, technical and tactical skill levels. Each player has value as an individual and as a member of your team. You must acknowledge and nurture that worth in order to spark passion for the sport and a desire to work on improving within each player.
Respect: Treat players with the respect you wish to be treated with. You may think the title of coach brings you respect, but you would be wrong. Respect is not given or bestowed upon a coach. As a coach you must earn respect just as you expect players to earn your respect.
Motivation: I include motivation in this listing because we so often hear of its importance in athletics, but if we take care of Patience, Tolerance, Acceptance and Respect you will find little difficulty in motivating players... or people.
Sportsmanship: I include sportsmanship much as I did motivation for if we are patient, tolerant, accepting and respectful it stands to reason we will also exhibit good sportsmanship.
In summation, coaching is about treating people as you would like to be treated while igniting a passion within them to become the best they can be as a player and teammate in the sport they have chosen to participate in.
Monday
Culture is so important to successful teams.
When topics such as culture and tradition are talked about as much as they are by coaches and players alike it seems a wise choice for people serious about being successful in athletics to pay attention. Reality is culture and tradition apply to life as well.
Culture is so important to successful teams.
What and how do you want your team to feel?
What and how do you want your team to see?
What and how do you want your team to think?
What and how do you want your team to believe?
What do you want your team to embody?
Players on successful teams possess a sense of ownership built upon a foundation of accountability and .responsibility. This is the "brotherhood" or family atmosphere of which players speak. When this bond exists players will sacrifice for the greater good and the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
How does a team develop such a culture?
It is largely a matter of choice.
How will each of the team members answer the questions above?
Successful coaches devote as much time to developing, establishing and maintaining a team's culture as they do on developing technical and tactical skills. The market is flooded with Internet sites, books, videos and "motivational speakers" willing to share their thoughts on developing and sustaining a team culture. Select a coach or team who embodies what you wish your team to embody and research their methodology. Go beyond technique and tactics to discover what they do to develop, establish and maintain the culture you admire and desire for your team. This is the work that separates the good/great coaches from the rest. People who can teach technique and tactics are a dime a dozen, but coaches who can empower their players with ownership through accountability and responsibility to self, teammates and tradition are usually the ones winning championships.
If you want a WINNING culture in your program,
it begins with a WORKING culture.
Coaches need to put the same amount of work in on establishing the culture they want for their team as they do in teaching proper technique and tactics. A successful, winning culture is not going to magically appear. It takes diligent effort, an intelligent work ethic and it begins with the coach and his staff.
Sunday
Qualities of a Great Athlete
CONFIDENCE:
An athlete displays a quiet inner confidence based on preparation. His own preparation, that of his
individual teammates and their collective combined preparation. Confidence is a belief based on your daily work habits and
the resulting continuous and constant progress made. This kind of
confidence is contagious within
a team, built as athletes subject themselves to tough challenges and practices, learn the value in hard work and discover the ability to problem
solve on their own. These
athletes develop a positive attitude, become unafraid of failure and remain
confident when faced with adversity. They prepare hard every day. When
success follows, athletes tell you it’s because of the effort they put into
preparation.
The non-athlete has a false confidence. His confidence is not built
on preparation but on factors not under his control. He might be blessed
with great athleticism, but will rely on the team to carry him as he plays
tentatively and with fear of making a mistake. He does not put forth the same
effort or attention into practices as do the athletes on the team. He fails to prepare properly for success
when away from the team environment. He does just enough but expects every
reward earned by the athletes around him.
Tuesday
Best Motivational Speech I have seen recently.
Ok, I know it's pointy football, but this kid just gets it.
If you aren't pumped up about LIFE after watching this something is seriously wrong with you.
Makes you want to get the kit on, lace up the boots and go kick some butt, don't it!
Sunday
The past is your lesson.
The present is your gift.
The future is your motivation.
I like to use "Next Play!" to deal with mistakes, but it is also important to honor past success as we do when beginning our break with the call and response of "Team!?" followed by "20!" The present is a gift from God and in unwrapping it we should do our best to honor Him... and the game he has given us to play. While the future will be dependent on the choices we make today. If we want a better tomorrow, we earn it this day.
Thursday
Warning! Do not spy on us or you will be thrown from the top of the stadium.
Scouting the opposition is a natural thing to do. Sometimes an over zealous individual may take it too far and try to observe or even tape an opponents training session. All bets are off when that happens.
A little pointy football to liven things up....
http://www.redcuprebellion.com/2014/8/26/6070637/coach-hugh-freeze-likes-practical-jokes
A little pointy football to liven things up....
http://www.redcuprebellion.com/2014/8/26/6070637/coach-hugh-freeze-likes-practical-jokes
Wednesday
How to Become a Student of the Game
I remember as a kid watching sports on TV and then going out
to the yard or the drive way to imitate what I had just seen. Loved the sweet
swing of Roberto Clemente, the bank shots of John Havlicek, and the scrambling
of John Tarkenton and every once in awhile I got a glimpse of some guy named
Pele doing incredible things with a soccer ball. Emulating the sports heroes of the day was a
natural thing for us to do.. Little did I realize it also held the key to
developing an ability to play the games.
I have at times mentioned Graham Ramsay, a friend of mine,
in my writings. When I first met Graham back in the late 1990’s he was always
referencing great soccer players and spectacular plays he watched on TV. Quite frankly, most of it went right over our
heads as we did not have Fox Soccer Channel and soccer in general was not shown
on TV much outside of the Olympic or World Cup games. I think I became somewhat
immune to his constant references of players and plays that I hadn’t any means
of seeing. It wasn’t until much later
that it dawned on me that Graham was reminding me of how important it is for
young players to watch older players and professional players play the game.
Labels:
attitude,
Conceive Believe Achieve,
Details,
first touch,
Grand Lake United,
Improvement,
mistakes,
motivation,
positioning,
Practice,
preparation,
responsibility,
Shawnee,
Soccer,
tactical,
technique,
Vision
Sunday
Commitment
I found this while cleaning up / organizing some files. I'm not 100% sure who to credit this to but believe it is from Jeff Janssen, so I'm going with that.
At what level do you practice?
At what level do you play?
At what level would your coach place you at?
Or if you are a caoch, where do you believe your players would place your level of commitment at?
At what level do you believe your teammates would place you at?
RESISTANT - athlete resists the direction of the program and actively works against it, disagrees with team rules and standards and openly opposes them, stubborn and uncoachable
RELUCTANT - athlete questions the direction of the program, skeptical, hesitant and holds back full effort
EXISTENT - athlete floats, seems like they have checked out, there in body but not in mind and spirit, apathetic, contributes little more than their physical presence
COMPLIANT - athlete obediently does what is asked but not much more, does just enough to get by, motivated when directed by others but not very self-motivated
COMMITTED - athlete is highly bought into the program and willingly does extra, understands the vision of the program and supports it, self-motivated, heart is into it
COMPELLED - athlete is fully bought into the program, on a mission to do something special, undeterred by obstacles, consistently holds self AND teammates accountable to a high standard
OBSESSED - athlete goes overboard and is consumed with success, overtrains, fails to connect with teammates, tends to be more concerned with individual success than team success
Every day you get to CHOOSE your commitment level.
Choose to be at least COMMITTED if not COMPELLED today!
Yeah, so, Jeff Janssen it is.
At what level do you practice?
At what level do you play?
At what level would your coach place you at?
Or if you are a caoch, where do you believe your players would place your level of commitment at?
At what level do you believe your teammates would place you at?
RESISTANT - athlete resists the direction of the program and actively works against it, disagrees with team rules and standards and openly opposes them, stubborn and uncoachable
RELUCTANT - athlete questions the direction of the program, skeptical, hesitant and holds back full effort
EXISTENT - athlete floats, seems like they have checked out, there in body but not in mind and spirit, apathetic, contributes little more than their physical presence
COMPLIANT - athlete obediently does what is asked but not much more, does just enough to get by, motivated when directed by others but not very self-motivated
COMMITTED - athlete is highly bought into the program and willingly does extra, understands the vision of the program and supports it, self-motivated, heart is into it
COMPELLED - athlete is fully bought into the program, on a mission to do something special, undeterred by obstacles, consistently holds self AND teammates accountable to a high standard
OBSESSED - athlete goes overboard and is consumed with success, overtrains, fails to connect with teammates, tends to be more concerned with individual success than team success
Labels:
Accountability,
CBA Soccer,
commitment,
Conceive Believe Achieve Soccer,
decision making,
Details,
Discipline,
Humility,
Leadership,
motivation,
preparation,
Respect,
responsibility,
success
Thursday
Making Mistakes - A Players Perspective
As many of you will know, FIFA films each game from a variety of angles and then breaks down the tape in any number of ways. Someone with a lot of time on their hands decided to study decison making and came up with this statistic - players on average made 3 decisions per second.
Take a moment to reflect on that statistic.
If we apply the same numbers to a high school soccer match and the athletes participating this is what we come up with:
11 soccer players
80 minutes of soccer
14,400 decisions per player
158,400 decisions per team
... wow ... I find it dificult to grasp those numbers ... just, wow...
Take a moment to reflect on that statistic.
If we apply the same numbers to a high school soccer match and the athletes participating this is what we come up with:
11 soccer players
80 minutes of soccer
14,400 decisions per player
158,400 decisions per team
... wow ... I find it dificult to grasp those numbers ... just, wow...
Wednesday
Who is the driving force behind playing?
I want to preface this by stating I am a member of several coaching lists or email groups through which information is exchanged, opinions shared and the like. The member coaches are quote literally from all over the globe and include professional coaches from well known clubs down through the ranks to high school coaches toiling away in small towns across America. I state this so it is understood the people and situations I am about to discuss are not necessarily known personally to me and in this manner their identities are protected.
Situation #1 - At tryouts it was determined a player should be relegated to the clubs second team. The player had participated with the same club for several years and always on the first team. The coaching staff felt as though he had plateaued and not progressed as a player over the course of the last couple of seasons. The player's mother was quite irate and even hostile about her son being relegated to the second team. It was explained to both player and parent there would be ample opportunities to guest play for the first team through the club pass system. It was presented as a best of both worlds situation where the player would actually get to play in more games than had he remained with the first team. Mother was still not happy. The player seemed rather nonchalant about it all. Time and again throughout the season the player was asked to guest play with the first team and more often than not the player refused the invitation. The mother was apparently unaware of the player declining these opportunities
Situation #2 - This actually is two separate but similar situations. In each case a father made the decision to move his son to another club. The only problem was, the son did not want to change clubs. Apparently the fathers had greater visions of grandeur for their sons while the sons were content playing soccer with their friends. In one case the player remained where he had been and in the other case the father forced the son to try out for an academy program, and in so doing lost his spot with the club team he had been with for years. The academy experience did not turn out as expected ... or perhaps as hoped... but probably as could have been anticipated if viewed through unbiased vision.
As I read the exchanges about these players and their parents I could not help but wonder about the parents motivation in each situation. It seems to me the child's wishes were being largely ignored as the parent chased a dream. In situation #1 the player turned down invitations extended to guest play with the first team unbeknown to his mother. All the while the mother was sure her son was being disrespected. It turns out being on a successful soccer team was something mom was far more proud of than the son was. Not only was pride a factor, but identity and self worth were artificially inflated by being associated with "A" team.
Allow that to sink in for a moment.
In the second situation, it was fathers pushing their sons to perceived greater heights than the sons had set their eyes on. The fathers pursued prestige and "better" opportunities for their sons without consulting with their sons as to what the sons wanted. The driving force was seemingly a perception the child was being held back by local circumstances and they needed to move the player to entirely different states to find the right opportunity for their son to excel in.
Allow that to also to sink in for a moment.
There is a third situation that will serve to bring the others into clearer focus. Here we have a sweat drenched individual that spends every possible moment on the pitch with a ball at his feet. He truly loves the game. His passion for soccer runs deeper than anyone elses described here. How do I know this? Because this player has been forbidden to play soccer by his father. This player has to sneak out to the fields and does so with full appreciation that if caught the consequences will be severe. I do know the people under discussion here. The son has another year until he goes out on his own and will be able to play the game whenever he wants. And play he will.
In the first two situations we find parents living through their sons. It is actually the passion of the parents that burns stronger, or at least far differently, than that of their sons. In the third situation it is the child's passion that burns so brightly the parent cannot extinguish it.
Why do the kids play?
With me it was baseball. Evidently my father was a pretty good baseball player. An older brother was spoken of glowingly as a shortstop and pitcher. Me? I never did like baseball, but dad signed me up to play each season. Baseball became a lightning rod in a rather contentious relationship between father and son. Baseball was my father's passion, not mine. I was evidently fairly good at baseball. The middle school and high school coaches tried each spring to convince me to play. I actually made the college team although I declined to play. Trying out for it was more my way of establishing if I was as good as my father thought I was ... or could be. Turning down the opportunity was my way of thumbing my nose at my father even though he had since passed away. I played basketball.
So it is in reading of the situations described above that I wonder what the players are actually thinking. What are their desires, their dreams? Why do they play soccer? And most importantly, have their parents ever discussed this with them?
Situation #1 - At tryouts it was determined a player should be relegated to the clubs second team. The player had participated with the same club for several years and always on the first team. The coaching staff felt as though he had plateaued and not progressed as a player over the course of the last couple of seasons. The player's mother was quite irate and even hostile about her son being relegated to the second team. It was explained to both player and parent there would be ample opportunities to guest play for the first team through the club pass system. It was presented as a best of both worlds situation where the player would actually get to play in more games than had he remained with the first team. Mother was still not happy. The player seemed rather nonchalant about it all. Time and again throughout the season the player was asked to guest play with the first team and more often than not the player refused the invitation. The mother was apparently unaware of the player declining these opportunities
Situation #2 - This actually is two separate but similar situations. In each case a father made the decision to move his son to another club. The only problem was, the son did not want to change clubs. Apparently the fathers had greater visions of grandeur for their sons while the sons were content playing soccer with their friends. In one case the player remained where he had been and in the other case the father forced the son to try out for an academy program, and in so doing lost his spot with the club team he had been with for years. The academy experience did not turn out as expected ... or perhaps as hoped... but probably as could have been anticipated if viewed through unbiased vision.
As I read the exchanges about these players and their parents I could not help but wonder about the parents motivation in each situation. It seems to me the child's wishes were being largely ignored as the parent chased a dream. In situation #1 the player turned down invitations extended to guest play with the first team unbeknown to his mother. All the while the mother was sure her son was being disrespected. It turns out being on a successful soccer team was something mom was far more proud of than the son was. Not only was pride a factor, but identity and self worth were artificially inflated by being associated with "A" team.
Allow that to sink in for a moment.
In the second situation, it was fathers pushing their sons to perceived greater heights than the sons had set their eyes on. The fathers pursued prestige and "better" opportunities for their sons without consulting with their sons as to what the sons wanted. The driving force was seemingly a perception the child was being held back by local circumstances and they needed to move the player to entirely different states to find the right opportunity for their son to excel in.
Allow that to also to sink in for a moment.
There is a third situation that will serve to bring the others into clearer focus. Here we have a sweat drenched individual that spends every possible moment on the pitch with a ball at his feet. He truly loves the game. His passion for soccer runs deeper than anyone elses described here. How do I know this? Because this player has been forbidden to play soccer by his father. This player has to sneak out to the fields and does so with full appreciation that if caught the consequences will be severe. I do know the people under discussion here. The son has another year until he goes out on his own and will be able to play the game whenever he wants. And play he will.
In the first two situations we find parents living through their sons. It is actually the passion of the parents that burns stronger, or at least far differently, than that of their sons. In the third situation it is the child's passion that burns so brightly the parent cannot extinguish it.
Why do the kids play?
With me it was baseball. Evidently my father was a pretty good baseball player. An older brother was spoken of glowingly as a shortstop and pitcher. Me? I never did like baseball, but dad signed me up to play each season. Baseball became a lightning rod in a rather contentious relationship between father and son. Baseball was my father's passion, not mine. I was evidently fairly good at baseball. The middle school and high school coaches tried each spring to convince me to play. I actually made the college team although I declined to play. Trying out for it was more my way of establishing if I was as good as my father thought I was ... or could be. Turning down the opportunity was my way of thumbing my nose at my father even though he had since passed away. I played basketball.
So it is in reading of the situations described above that I wonder what the players are actually thinking. What are their desires, their dreams? Why do they play soccer? And most importantly, have their parents ever discussed this with them?
Saturday
Learning to Win
Many people would rather be certain they're miserable,
than risk being happy.
This is what I mean when writing about learning to win and how some seem more comfortable existing in an established comfort zone than breaking out to explore the entirety of the game... or life. I am reminded of Patrick Swazye's line from the movie Road House, "it's amazing what you can get used to, huh?"
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