On Saturday mornings I’m a football coach.
Most weeks it is the best thing I do, probably why I’m currently at a bit of a loss ahead of the new season.
This Saturday though - while cycling up and down hills in wet and windy weather - I reflected on why I find coaching youth football so rewarding. What I’ve learnt over the last two years. And why it helps me in my communication and leadership day job too…
What’s worked?
Create a shared identity.
Players come from 6 or 7 schools, some play for more than one team, others only play on alternate weeks, and we inherited a team name of ‘United’ when none of us are fans of Sheffield, Leeds or any other United. So, we became ‘The Bulls’ with our own hand signals to greet and support each other, ‘Bulls’ on our backs and coaches borrowing the Chicago Bulls logo on our caps. Add in a pre-game chant and we’ve built an identity around which we can coalesce.
Be consistent.
From having a set formation, to set training times (and always starting on time), pre-game warm-up routines and kicking off training with a game we have a structure where the players don’t have to worry about anything but turning up, having fun and playing with their mates. Its boosted attendance and helped those with issues like ADHD but also allowed us as coaches to get creative and concentrate on having a real impact within these self-imposed ‘constraints’.
Over-communicate.
At the half-way point of this season, I jotted down the rhythm of communication to parents necessary to keep an U8 football team ticking over. Consistency was a part of it, but over-communicating has also been the driver of building a supportive set of parents. Equally, at training, telling the players what we are going to focus on at the start, reminding them in ad-hoc moments throughout and reiterating the point at the end has seen many take big steps forward as players.
What hasn’t worked?
Getting frustrated when something does not work.
Working with 7–9-year-olds of mixed ability, some who may not have had breakfast, others who may be exhausted after a school week or Cub camp is a challenge. More so when it is windy…or someone’s birthday. Even the best planned sessions sometimes don’t quite work. And it is your fault as the coach. Always look in the mirror and ask why a player doesn’t understand rather than get annoyed. Then do it better next time.
Not letting them learn from their mistakes.
Ahead of studying for my next UEFA coaching badge I’m drafting my coaching philosophy. Two parts of this are interlinked: having good technical skills (control, dribble, pass) and building confidence so players try to do things they may think are beyond them. Being overly prescriptive with instructions, negative with feedback or not encouraging players to try again puts up barriers to development.
Forgetting to laugh.
It’s wet, windy and muddy as anything as the other team’s fifth goal is scored… and it isn’t even half-time. You could shout, get annoyed and generally communicate unhappiness to the team or find a way to lighten the mood. Have a laugh. Celebrate players doing the right thing like it’s a goal. Spend half-time comparing a great run by one of the wingers to the brilliance of Bukayo Saka or Mo Salah. Find a way to create a positive moment even when it all feels a bit rubbish.
A final thought.
It’s all about creating the right moments and the circumstances for good things to happen.
Positivity goes a long way but organisation and hard work behind that makes it meaningful. Of course, there are challenges along the way, but The Bulls have created many more great moments than bad ones. Roll on pre-season training!