Every coach would like to be a better coach. That’s a given, and most understand that there is a learning curve. That is even true for coaches who once were outstanding players.
Perhaps that is especially true for former standout players.
A relevant question is how do you deal with the mistakes your players make?
Some coaches make the mistake of expecting perfection. Every mistake is critiqued and criticized, and when that happens players often play with a fear of making a mistake.
Actually, mistakes are part of the learning process. You learn by trying new things, and sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t.
If your players are afraid to make a mistake they will settle into a very narrow “comfort zone” in which they become almost robotic. These are the players who never seem to be comfortable with the ball at their feet.
Substitute the word correction for criticism, and you have the key to relieving the anxiety a young player might have in training. Don’t stop play for each and every error, but rather make the correction during a break. Ask the question you want answered in a way that the player will think about the correction he/she needs to make.
We don’t mean that you never point out the error when it occurs, but if you are a coach who verbally acknowledges successful touches by the player, that player will be less threatened when the error is pointed out.
A good understanding between coach and players is that the worst thing a player can do is not make a mistake. It is far worse when those mistakes are not corrected.
Have you ever stood on a sideline and listened to a coach verbally choreograph every touch and turn a player makes, or should have made, or didn’t make, etc. There are certainly teachable moments in a game, but not a constant dialogue. That soon becomes background noise for players on the field.
Coaches can be more verbal during training, but again the positive comments are the best and most effective. Keep in mind what you are asking your players to do is to make decisions – their decisions – and then act upon those decisions.
Perhaps that is especially true for former standout players.
A relevant question is how do you deal with the mistakes your players make?
Some coaches make the mistake of expecting perfection. Every mistake is critiqued and criticized, and when that happens players often play with a fear of making a mistake.
Actually, mistakes are part of the learning process. You learn by trying new things, and sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t.
If your players are afraid to make a mistake they will settle into a very narrow “comfort zone” in which they become almost robotic. These are the players who never seem to be comfortable with the ball at their feet.
Substitute the word correction for criticism, and you have the key to relieving the anxiety a young player might have in training. Don’t stop play for each and every error, but rather make the correction during a break. Ask the question you want answered in a way that the player will think about the correction he/she needs to make.
We don’t mean that you never point out the error when it occurs, but if you are a coach who verbally acknowledges successful touches by the player, that player will be less threatened when the error is pointed out.
A good understanding between coach and players is that the worst thing a player can do is not make a mistake. It is far worse when those mistakes are not corrected.
Have you ever stood on a sideline and listened to a coach verbally choreograph every touch and turn a player makes, or should have made, or didn’t make, etc. There are certainly teachable moments in a game, but not a constant dialogue. That soon becomes background noise for players on the field.
Coaches can be more verbal during training, but again the positive comments are the best and most effective. Keep in mind what you are asking your players to do is to make decisions – their decisions – and then act upon those decisions.