How to give yourself a coaching challenge
Stretch yourself whilst coaching the players
As a coach, I focus on doing the best for the players. This means ensuring they get a safe challenge. The phrase ‘safe uncertain’ is often used. This is a space for the player where they are challenged but not pushed too far out of their comfort zone.
In order for me to keep aiming to provide the best training environment for the team, I must challenge myself as well as the players.
Last week at a training session, I gave myself a challenge. To coach without a plan written on paper. I use a notebook to write my plans. I can deviate from them if needed, but I’m always conscious to not let a plan become a crutch. Session design and a plan is there to help me coach, not to be the coach.
I informed the team that I was coaching without a plan to challenge myself in an effort to ensure I am constantly stretching myself just like they are. I went into the session with a rough idea of what we needed to work on as a team.
I’m guilty of not setting myself as many challenges as I feel I should. This meant I felt I was a little rusty. Telling the players my intentions made the training session better. It also helps create buy in; everyone is challenging themselves and learning, including the coach.
If you’re wanting to challenge yourself and coach without a plan, here are my top tips:
Tell the players - let the players know you’re stretching yourself too
Go with a few themes or potential focuses that you think the team might need to work on
Set up your training area to help you - use training grid areas that are flexible and you could use for numerous activities
Make your warm up work for you - give the players a first activity that means you can see what they need to work on and where they are this session.