Reader,
Perhaps I’m getting a bit more philosophical with age, but lately I have been reflecting a great deal about the stories that football can write in the lives of the players and staff.
As a coach, we have an opportunity to lead, inspire, facilitate, teach and set cultures and environments which create standards, strive for excellence and most importantly, are joyful places to be.
This week I was fortunate to host an event with two top-level athletes. Many of the questions were directed at the stories that shaped them into the players they are, who influenced them, what drives them and their experiences in a variety of environments.
What emerged was clarity of purpose in their ambitions and the impact of the coaches they played under.
So, for those working on the grass every week, what does this mean in practice?
Three Things to Consider
- Chill out. Football (and sport) continues to get more serious as players work through ages and stages. Some of the things going on in junior football, combined with parental pressure, can be alarming at times. Whether that’s transitioning into select teams, national teams or professional environments. It’s critical we move beyond ‘the X’s and O’s’ and avoid sucking the joy out of the game because we’re always driven by outcomes. If we create a place that is joyful, lively, connected and clear, performance is likely to emerge.
- Know yourself. As coaches, we all have blindspots, areas of our own performance that can impact the players. Perhaps we talk too much, don’t have connections with all of our players or have areas we can improve. Knowing yourself means knowing your strengths but enlisting the support of others around you when you may have gaps. By being clear on who you are, you can have a meaningful impact on the players you support.
- Fast forward. Ask yourself, ‘How would I like to be remembered by the players as a coach?’. Players won’t remember how much you know about the game, or the coaching badges you’ve obtained. They’ll remember how you made them feel, the connection of the group and the ups and downs of being in a team. If they see someone who is out of control, screaming, yelling, obsessed with outcomes or who doesn’t show a desire to connect and demonstrate care, chances are you’re writing a story that may not be remembered so fondly by the players you coach. You have a chance to shape stories that they’ll remember for life.
One thing to try this week
Put pen to paper and consider the question above, reflecting on your approach.
If you could be remembered for 3-5 different things by your players, what would they be?
These could be seen as values or traits you present, such as ‘great communicator, ‘organised’, or ‘inspirational coach’. If you’re feeling brave, consider an anonymous survey of your playing group (assuming they are of an age where this is appropriate). The feedback could be enlightening and help shape your own development.
One Critical Resource on the Topic
Check out this excellent blog on emotional intelligence by top coach, Sam Grace from the PDP Archives.
