This was the question I was asked by a coach of an opposition team at the end of a recent U11s match at IFS fields. The reason he asked me this was because throughout the match I had only spoken to the players from the sideline a handful of times which I’m sure he did not even see. This was despite him standing five metres away from me.
I was thinking why he had not realised this and concluded it was because throughout the entire match he was giving directions and instructions to his players. None of it was aggressive or overly negative, however they were actions that he wanted the players to do right there and then at that moment.
This contrast in approach to match days for our U11s sides led me to reflect on the way we, as coaches, behave on the sideline. My previous education and the coaching style that is implemented here at IFS is one that makes the distinction between “learning” and “performance”. One approach will improve the chance to win the current match. The other provides the player with the opportunity to understand the “why’s” and “how’s” of football through a first-hand learning experience.
This brief moment of personal reflection has further strengthened my belief in the need for players to play without the interference of their coaches or parents. Instead, I have learnt that the role of the youth coach is to help facilitate the player to reflect on their actions to self-analyse their behaviour.
One method we have implemented this week with the U11s is a quick review of the weekend’s clash through video. Whilst potentially boring for the players if not used wisely, it provides a great opportunity for this reflection and review of their football.
Perhaps most importantly though, a “hands off” approach to match day allows the players to fully enjoy the experience for what it is, acting as creatively as their eyes perceive, to best solve all the footballing obstacles they encounter.
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