If as coaches we recognise and pro actively strive towards improving the behaviour, attitudes and discipline of our players. Then it is vitally important that we also recognise the impact we have as coaches on our players. Players and indeed parents will look towards you as a Role Model. Therefore coaches must seriously consider their own behaviour, attitudes and discipline if they truly wish to be considered positive role models. To set the highest standard coaches should consider and be constantly be aware of their own attitudes and approach to the following scenarios:
|
Good principles for coaches |
Poor principles for coaches |
| Set and example with smart and appropriate dress, grooming, hygiene | Inappropriate dress, poor grooming or hygiene. |
| Being organised, well planned and structured in your coaching |
"Winging it" Organising and planning on the "hoof" |
| Keeping equipment clean and well maintained | Poor maintenance of equipment |
| Setting high and consistent standards of time keeping |
Expecting every one else to be on time, except you. You're the coach, you can turn up when you want |
| Positive body language. Head up, look people in the eyes. Set an example | Poor body language, poor example. |
| Appropriate language. Being enthusiastic, clear and logical. Pitching comment at the age and ability level you're coaching at. | Swearing crudeness, poor taste, lack of enthusiasm, monotonous tone |
| Use encouragement and positive reinforcement when talking to players | Being negative, belittling or ridiculing players. |
| Listening and asking questions of players | Talking over or dictating to players. Shouting at players. |
| Showing equal respect to all. regardless of their perceived importance as players |
Lack of respect. Having favourites |
| Being fair, approachable and consistent | Blowing hot and cold. Being aloof and standoffish |
| Being even tempered. Being calm, unruffled, maintaining your cool | Losing your temper. Being over excitable |
| Trusting and believing in your players. Working together to mutual advantage. | Condemning players. Preaching at players. Laying down the law. Bullying |
| Show commitment and support for your players | Demonstrating a lack of belief or commitment. Blaming the players. |
| Total respect and support for the laws of the game and officials. | Bending the rules of the game. Encouraging players to do the same. Undermining officials. |
| Mutually agreeing and abiding by a code of conduct with the players. |
Unilaterally using withdrawal from training or playing as a punishment |
| Wanting to win, but accepting winning and losing are two sides of the same coin. | Having a win at all costs mentality. |
| Accept that soccer is a game of subjective and difficult decisions by officials |
Blaming the officials or the opposition for your own poor performance or poor result. |
| Accept mistakes by players happen and they form an important aspect of the learning process |
React badly to mistakes or poor play by your players. Criticising players |
| Have realistic expectations of your team and players and managing them effectively | Unrealistic expectations and your team and players |
| Work towards a total team effort. All respect each other and pull in the same direction |
Focusing and blaming on weak aspects or players within your team |
| Use justified praise. Good play deserves praise. | Over praising or being over enthusiastic in situations where the situation doesn't warrant it. |
| Be aware of and sensitive to less gifted players | Over using the better more talented players |
| Respecting the talent of all players, allowing players to equally participate in training and matches |
Ignoring players who you think are there to only make up the numbers |
There are many more examples of good and bad principles, which you may want to consider for yourself. By recognising, having an open mind and working towards the listed principles, a coach has a set of tools that will enable them to be an effective Role Model and encourage positive behaviour by both players and parents.
Consider your time as a player, what influences did your coach have on you? How has this impacted on your time as a player and a coach.
Another effective way in which all clubs and coaches can set and achieve high standards is to mutually agree and apply Codes of Conducts for both Coaches and Team Officials
