Coaches Journey

How do we get the best out of players? That is the ongoing question I believe we have to ask ourselves in order to improve as a coach but also ensure the players we are working with get the best possible sessions and feedback.

For me a good session should have the following:

-Smiles on faces.

-Gameplay over drills (unless learning a new skill or perhaps younger age group).

-Lots of touches.

-More than 1 ball.

-Progressive transitions.

-Point scoring system.

-Individual + Team challenges.

-Player centered focus.

-Appropriate feedback.

Now the above is clearly in an ideal world, but speaking from experience we can't always coach a great session. Like any good player it is important to be flexible and adapt a session where appropriate and not feel you have to carry out a session just as you initially planned it.

Sometimes we can try and give far too much information and keep stop starting sessions, this is not much fun for players. So I would highly recommend some of the following ideas to ensure sessions are fun, engaging, game related and constantly evolving.

-Use of replays (allow the team that made the mistake to have another go).

-Coach on the run (during a game give feedback, challenge players, give new scenarios).

-Add fun elements (superpowers for certain players, condition players).

-Use of headbands over bibs (gets players playing with heads up which is what we want to see).

-Whole part whole tool (start big then narrow down focus).

More to come......