On Tuesday morning, instead of sitting at my desk in the teachers’ working room and preparing lessons, [I had already prepared for the day] I ventured out to where the football training was happening for a ‘look and see’.
First I went to where a very energetic Andre was working; he had the students running through a series of drills: passing and running, and running and passing, it was about – ball control – eye contact – accuracy – building on ball handling skills. Andre clearly knows what he wants the students to develop, and for their part, they were responding well, and with gusto, to the challenge.
Next I crossed over to where the other two groups were working. Unfortunately the cricket oval was still too wet to use, so the training that would normally be happening there, was on the rugby pitch. The first group I watched was mostly made up of our older students who are coached by one very able – Joey. I understood that Joey was working with ‘zones’. I was blown away by the energy of these players – ‘legs and sweat’ – running fast and freely. Later, when the session was over, Joey praised the students for their efforts and the perceivable improvement over the duration of the session. Well deserved in my opinion!
The last group that I observed was working with Brad. When I began watching this group, there were two separate ‘games’ happening. From my lay-man’s understanding, the emphasis appeared to be on team play, – covering each other when in defence and creating opportunities when in attack. After a time, Brad combined the two ‘games’ into one. Once again I couldn’t help but observe the commitment of the players as they threw themselves into the ‘games’; working to the best of their abilities to respond positively to Brad’s calm guidance, and warm encouragement.
Now I myself have done my share of coaching over a good number of years, not in football, but cricket, I therefore know that for there to be real success, the commitment of both the players and the coach/es must be 100%+.
I so enjoyed my morning, firstly, because I saw that ‘commitment’ from all concerned, in addition I gained a fabulous insight into what our students are up to every day, and I can now better understand why some students appear ‘tired’ by late afternoon. Thank goodness we don’t send our students home in the afternoon with hours of senseless ‘homework’ to do.
Thank you students and coaches for sharing the ‘fruits’ of your labours on Tuesday morning. – I’ll be seeing you again soon!
Rodney
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