Faith Jasper: 'Athletes are scared to make mistakes'

“One of the most important things in the world of engagement is that you’re able to see that athletes want to be there. 

"They’re not forced to be there, they’re not dreading coming to practice. They want to be there, they’re engaged in the sport, they want to see it happen, and so they come to practice eager to learn and eager to try.

“Engagement looks a lot different in a lot of different senses. But in general, I would say wanting to be a part of the game would be what engagement looks like and that can look as simple as paying attention at practice, engaging in conversation, or just looking happy to be there."

SM: From a player development point of view, why is it important that we try and get our players engaged in the sessions?

FJ: "It allows them to keep coming back to the sport and it allows for numbers to continue growing.

"If we look at the female side, specifically, engaging in the sporting world is something that is key if we’re wanting to grow the female game.

"Wanting to come back and having something to work towards is super important if we’re wanting to continue to grow female sport. 

“We can’t have females in sport if they don’t want to come. We can’t create an environment where they don’t feel like they want to come, where they don’t wake up wanting to come, or they dread coming after school. So make sure that environment is one that is welcoming and they want to come to."

SM: What tips would you have for coaches about how they might build engagement?

FJ: "Going back to player ownership, let them explain their logic. Let them explain why they’re doing what they’re doing.

"That relationship is key to having an engaged player. If they’re scared to play, they’re not going to want to engage.

“Along with that, be vulnerable with them, be real with them. I’ve come to practice and I’ve been like, ‘Guys, I’m not in a good mood, please listen. I can’t be angry today. I want to have a good time. You guys make me happy. Please don’t wreck it today’. 

“You’re a human too. They can’t place you on that pedestal and way above them.

“The next one is creating fun experiences with them within the serious practices. So, as much as we want practice to be serious and we want to be focused throughout, I am a strong believer that you need to have fun within those practices.

“If we’re doing a 3v3 plus 3, they have to come up with a team name. Whoever has the best one gets an extra point and gets to pick who they want to play first.

"If I am feeling really, really confident, I have let them create their own session..."

“They have that game-like situation and are going to give 100%, but they also have this three minutes of fun where they can get all their sillies out so we know when they go onto the pitch they’re going to be at 100%."

SM: Would you have the players ever be part of the session planning?

FJ: "Depending on what we’re doing or how games have gone that week, I give them options. I’ll give them two games and let them pick.

"If I am feeling really, really confident, I have let them create their own session, usually near the end of the season where it’s, ’okay, we focused on all our themes, I know you guys know what we’re talking about now. I’ve seen it pan out in a game. For the last two sessions, you guys can pick what you want to do’.

“It’s super interesting because sometimes they pick some of the most technical sessions we’ve done. They pick the games that emphasize these moments and that I think are at the bottom of their fun tier.

"But these kids continue to amaze me because they pick these intellectual games we’ve played, not just because they’re fun, but that they want to improve.

“I like the idea of them choosing their own session and having us run it. I think there’s a time and place for that.

"They’re not going to be choosing their session every time. As fun as that would be, that would also put me out of a job!"