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LOGINThe heart of coaching
If you want to be an effective coach, a coach of significance, you first need to remember that you are working with children.
Last week, I shared resources to help you in choosing a formation for the teams you are coaching. We focused on the ‘Xs and Os’ of coaching teams. I want to focus on a different shape this week: the heart.
A quote that I often use when teaching coaches is, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” If you want to be an effective coach, a coach of significance, you first need to remember that you are working with children.
Although Steve Greenwood gears his advice towards coaching female players, his advice is relative to all coaches working with the younger generation:
“They are people first, players second- and they must have a sense that I care for them above and beyond their abilities as an athlete…” Greenwood is the Head Coach for the Women’s U-17 Team at the University of New South Wales and his piece offers coaches thoughtful and practical guidance for coaches on how to connect with and coach the players you are serving. Being aware of what you’re saying and how you’re saying it is critical when connecting with players. I appreciate how Greenwood emphasizes the importance of building connections and relationships with players while following and appropriate boundaries.
From Hannah Duncan, a UEFA B Licensed Coach working with an FA Women’s National League club, comes some advice for integrating new players into the teams you’re coaching. Children of any age want to have a sense of belonging and it can be difficult to fit into a group or team when they’re the ‘new kid’. Hannah offers insight on how coaches can be the models of inclusivity and encourage comradery among all the players, returning and new. My favourite tip from Hannah is simple but so impactful, you as the coach introduce the new player to the team rather than they introduce themselves. Continue reading her piece to learn why this is such a significant action.
I hope you find these two articles helpful and meaningful as you work towards creating a positive learning environment for the players you are coaching. Remember, the energy and attitude you bring to the field will be reciprocated by the players. If you enjoy coaching and working the players, they will enjoy playing for you. Consider your first goal for coaching to be a coach that the players want to play for year after year.
Samantha Snow
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