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Coaching
Principles – Creating a Team Bond
Are
individuals more apt to act on their own or as a group? Tough question. But
soccer is a sport that surely enables players to create as individuals, but who
must successfully perform with teammates. The phrase that a team is more than a
sum of its parts is perhaps more accurate and telling in our sport than any
other.
One of the keys to success is clearly team building,
creating a cohesive unit that enjoys working hard together. There certainly is
no perfect way to accomplish this as every team is unique. But some guidelines
may help. Here are six essential keys, we think, to creating a team bond.
Leaders
The captains are crucial in representing the team, but every player is a leader.
Encourage the potential and positive contribution in each player. Emphasize to
each player and to the group that leadership can come in many shapes and many
forms. Every player counts and needs to be a leader in his own, even subtle,
way.
Starters
and Non-Starters
The term “substitute” seems to have a negative connotation, so think of
another term like reserves. Too many players consider themselves inferior and
less important to the team’s success if they are not starting. This can lead
to ill-will between players, frustration against the coach, and feeling of being
left out for non-starters. Remind the players that a starting line-up is never
in concrete and reinforce this by rotating starters especially as a reward for
solid play, a positive attitude and hard work. Encourage players on the
sidelines to stay mentally involved in the game and always be positive when you
remove a player from the game. Constructive criticism can come later, after the
game or in the next training session.
Training
Sessions are Important
The players will improve very little if the practices are not well-organized,
competitive, challenging, and fun. The training sessions need to be crisp and
attendance should be required. Convince the players that practice is crucial to
the team’s success. If players miss practices or don’t have a good attitude
in practice, their playing time should be affected. Reward the players who train
the most diligently with a starting position and the urgency for practices will
quickly catch on.
Learning
from Wins AND Losses
Many times, coaches have a hard time keeping the team consistent because they
get too excited from wins and too distraught from losses. It’s crucial to be a
good example in learning from both wins and losses. Losses, like wins, have
moments to celebrate, learn from and build on. You are never as good as your
best win or as bad as your worst loss.
Off the
Field
It’s so important that you realize that you are managing people. They need to
be treated as individuals. Try to connect with each player away from soccer
topics such as knowing their families, learning about their hobbies, and
following their academics. Plus get the team together for non-soccer fun such as
meals, going to movies, and playing other sports. They will like each other
better and be better teammates as a result.
Humor
Having a sense of humor and being able to sling it at the right moment is a gift
we all have. Don’t ever get too serious, soccer is just a game – true the
world’s biggest and most beautiful – but still just a game.
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