COACHES CORNER

1. They can't process the info. Most children (particularly the very young) can't multitask ... they can't hear you and process your instructions while playing. You are wasting your breath.
   
   
2. They won't talk to each other if you do all the talking. Players are trained to not talk when the coach is talking.
   
   
3. The moment is gone. The game moves so quickly that the sequence you are trying to orchestrate evaporates before the players can process what you havesaid.
   
   
4. You rob them of a chance to make a decision. They don't discover solutions and are therefore less likely to remember them. Every possession is an opportunity to experiment and learn, but not if you dictate play. Any chance for Guided Discovery is lost if you provide all the answers. Good decisions come from experience ... Experience comes from bad decisions. You have to bite the bullet and then help them learn from their successes and failures.
   
   
5. You miss a chance to analyze game. Leave the screaming to the fans. You need to watch and analyze the game. What formation is the opposition playing? Who are their dangerous players? This can't be determined if you follow the ball and try to orchestrate play.
   
   
6. You miss the chance to coach those you can and should influence. Players away from the ball can be influenced positively in the run of play. Is your team in a good shape? Is your defense getting out on time? Are your flank players wide when you get possession? Are your forwards recovering to a position where they can win a cleared ball? Is your goalkeeper coming off her line when the ball is in the opponent's half?
   
   
7. You make the player in possession nervous. This inhibits creativity.
   
   
8. They can't hear you. Your instructions to a player 40 yards away are probably just white noise. You are no longer coaching ... you are just screaming.
   
   
9. You may be wrong. Coaches and parents can't see everything. A player may know that "KAREN IS OPEN!" but Karen may be in an offside position. Now your credibility is shot.
   
   
10. They can't be brilliant if you are pulling the strings - they can only be robots. Dictating play is a glory grab. Give them a chance to shine and develop their own style.
    
    EXCEPTIONS:
    "Turn / Hold / Man On / Turn and Go" - As an example to team of how and when to communicate. This is information that helps the player in possession make a decision.
    
    "Pick your head up, have a look" - Help them make a decision but don't decide for them

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