If you have ever played or even watched sports then you know that the difference between winning and losing can be the training and instruction before the match and the adjustments made during it. That is essentially what coaching is all about but not everybody knows how to do it, even if they have spent many years playing the game they love.
Let’s talk about some of the tricks of the coaching trade that many of the best coaches, regardless of sport, have shared with the inquiring public. A good coach can make an enormous impact at any level, but the best in the business rise to the collegiate and professional ranks.
In fact, if a coach falls ill or will miss a game for whatever reason, all of the best offshore sportsbooks sites will adjust their lines because of it. Yes, they are that important so let’s listen to the experts and glean some valuable information because whether it’s a Little League team or an MLB squad, understanding the fundamentals of coaching is vital.
Learn the Rules
This sounds a bit ridiculous but if you have never played the sport before, or if it’s been a long time since you have then you should learn the rules of the game. And we should also note this goes for seasoned coaches who may be advancing from the high school to the college ranks. Rules can be slightly different and it is incumbent upon a good coach to become acquainted with the rules and the nuances before meeting your team.
Be Positive
By the time a child is 17-years-old, they have heard the word “No” 150,000 times and the word “Yes” only 5000 times. This is the negative reinforcement that impedes children, and even adults, into believing that it can’t be done, instead of it will get done!
A good coach needs to take the negatives and turn them into positives. This doesn’t mean your players should be absolved of being lazy, not practicing hard, not listening, not communicating with teammates, or failing to give their best effort. However, what it does mean is that a good coach will find out the reasons for a player’s sloppy performance and work on the root cause. Encouragement rather than admonishment works much better, particularly at the lower levels.
Have a Plan
Game plans are not only for game day but for every day. A practice schedule should include dates and times but also the drills that will be run and the skills that will be honed. Study variations of training drills so that the practices don’t become stale and mundane. Keep things fresh and the players will remain engaged which will lead to better results.
The basic mechanics of each position should be taught and mentored depending on the level of the player. But a rule for all coaches to follow was once uttered by the great football coach, Vince Lombardi, when he said, “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” Those are words to live by so make certain that the players are not going through the motions but are focused on improving their technique with each repetition.
Words of Wisdom
Perhaps there is no better authority on coaching than the men and women who did it, and are doing it, best. One such coach is the legendary Phil Jackson who coached the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to a combined 11 world titles. Jackson was known as the Zen master because his approach to coaching was so cerebral.
“I’ve always been interested in getting players to think for themselves so that they can make difficult decisions in the heat of battle.” “One thing I’ve learned as a coach is that you can’t force your will on people. If you want them to act differently, you need to inspire them to change themselves.” He looked to empower his players so that they can make the correct decisions in the more difficult moments.
“My approach was always to relate to each player as a whole person, not just a cog in the basketball machine. That meant pushing him to discover what distinct qualities he could bring to the game beyond taking shots and making passes. How much courage did he have? Or resilience? What about a character under fire? Many players I’ve coached didn’t look special on paper, but in the process of creating a role for themselves they grew into formidable champions.”
Bill Belichick, the holder of six Super Bowl titles as an NFL head coach, all with the New England Patriots, commented when asked by Forbes Women contributor, Darrah Brustein, about sports being a metaphor for life, “In sports, as in life, everyone gets knocked down. You learn how to get up and keep working to improve and compete. Sports involve personal discipline and sacrifice to be successful. These sacrifices come in advance, before any success.”
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