How to identify your coaching impact
You can start to measure your impact in different ways. It can be as simple as seeing if your players are eager to return for the next session. This is a great sign that you’re having a positive impact.
You could also watch your players’ body language to judge how well your session or communication has landed.
Knowing what you’re working towards is another way to help you understand your coaching impact. For this, try setting targets with each player at the start of the season.
In a one-on-one conversation, ask each player where they want to improve. Also, ask them how they might show their development in this area. After all, everyone is different.
Once you’ve done this, provide sessions and an environment which help your players with these targets. You can then monitor your coaching impact in different ways.
- Observe: Watch your players, focusing on two or three each week. Are they progressing as you’d expect based on what you know about them?
- Ask: Don’t be afraid to ask players how they found the session, what worked, what didn’t, and what else you can support with.
- Facilitate: Encourage players to discuss and solve problems together so you can see how well they’ve understood the learning.
- Reflect: After each training session or match, take a moment to ask yourself if you’ve noticed players learning, having fun and achieving your intended outcomes.
How to have a positive impact at training
To have a positive coaching impact, you need to create a training environment where players feel comfortable being themselves and know that they belong.
Training should also be fun and engaging for everyone, regardless of age and stage, while still providing the right level of challenge.
Here are some tips to help:
- Plan your sessions well and be clear about what you want to achieve.
- Include practices that develop broader life skills like communication and leadership, along with technical and tactical skills.
- Have a plan to adapt your practices if something's not working. Be ready with strategies to address issues, from changing the pitch size to adjusting team numbers.
- Be present. Use the first ten minutes of the session to check in with players and see how they're feeling.
- Cater for differences between players. Try setting individual challenges and sharing extra tips with those who need them.
How to have a positive impact on matchday
Emotions can run high on matchday. To have a positive impact, keep things simple.
At the start of the match, recap what you’ve worked on in training and share the key things you’re going after today. Then watch out for these things as you observe the match.
See a player try something but fail to pull it off? Show encouragement with some praise and a thumbs up. It's all about creating an environment where players feel safe trying something new.
At half-time, encourage players to think for themselves. Ask questions like, ‘what’s happening in the match?’ ‘Why do you think the score is what it is?’ ‘What could we do differently in the second half?’
Often, players already have the answers. Your role is to draw them out and provide support when needed.
When the match finishes, remember to reflect. Think about what you saw. During the game, did your players showcase what you’ve been working on in training? This will tell you if the learning landed right.
Tips to help you observe and reflect
When assessing your coaching impact, trying to keep tabs on everything is a losing battle. Instead, use these tips to focus your attention.
Know what you're looking for
Think about any targets or learning outcomes that have been set. Use them as your focus. And if you’re working on technical skill development, use the six core capabilities as a guide to help your players hone their skills.
Observe two to three players per week
Rotate through the team so that over the season or six-week period, each. player gets your full attention.
Change your coaching position
Try watching from different spots to get a new perspective. It could be that you take up a strategic position on the pitch at training to get your players’ viewpoint. Or it could be stepping back from the sidelines on matchday to get a wider view.
Use other coaches
If you have a coaching team – or player’s parents that are willing to help – assign specific players for each one to observe. This way, you can cover more ground together.
What to consider when working with different age groups
To have the biggest impact on your players, you need to adjust your approach based on their age and needs, like if they have a disability. The best way to do this is by getting to know each player and finding ways to support them.
For example, younger players might struggle to pace themselves. So, it’s your job to slow things down and give them longer breaks. Or, if you coach players who are hard of hearing, stand at the same height as the whiteboard so they can read your lips while watching the board.
Even the meaning of ‘impact’ can change depending on the age of your players. For the youngest ones, it might mean they’re having fun and want to return. As they get older, enjoyment still matters, but you also need to challenge and stretch players.
The key is understanding why they play the game.
Things to remember to help you understand and improve your coaching impact
