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There is much more to coaching than just planning for training and games – Kate Jones gives advice on making your players stand tall and feel part of it
As a player, I was very fortunate to be surrounded by fantastic male coaches.
They were all great in their own ways, but there was one tiny thing missing - they didn’t look like me, or any of my teammates. And while we can’t fault that, I take pride in the role of being a female coach to female athletes.
While it is still very early in my coaching journey, there are some things I have learned along the way which have aided me in finding ways to empower female athletes, especially the younger ones...
From a young age, kids are very impressionable. The manner in which you carry yourself will be observed by them.
Set out core values early on, so the expectations are set. Make sure you abide by the values, too, because they are paying attention to what you do...
I really don’t like to talk at my players all the time.
I lived the life of a student-athlete for many years and know how draining it can be to come from school, where you can be lectured all day. The last thing you want is to be lectured more by your coach.
So, for training, I will explain the layout of the session and, at the conclusion of a particular segment, I like to ask them for their impressions and takeaways.
For games, I will make coaching points here and there, but I like to let them vent and talk about their own experiences. Ultimately, they don’t need a bunch of information thrown at them - just get a ball at their feet and let them play.
Failure is inevitable - but so is success. It is important to stress there are valuable lessons to take away from either.
From a youth perspective, one of my core values is a winning mindset. That doesn’t mean I want my players to believe that winning is the most important thing.
Sure, I want my players to have a competitive drive, because there’s a thrill in competition and victory, but you also have to show humility - even more so in defeat.
As soon as they are grasping the teaching lessons that sport brings, the more prepared they can be for the next experience.
I don’t have it all figured out - and I don’t expect my players to have, either.
I believe the training week should be spent preparing for upcoming games, and once the game is kicked off, you sit and let them do.
I’ll make adjustments and call out coaching points when I feel they’re needed. However, they need to be given the freedom to figure things out for themselves, and pinpoint different cues for what may be called for in certain game situations.
I have found a lot of joy and pride in my players on the pitch - but, more importantly, off it.
I make myself available to my players for any sort of guidance or support they may need. It’s a priority to me that if they have a basketball game or even a school play that I’m making an effort to be there.
There’s so much more to coaching than just training and games.
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