Match Days
As a coach, it's crucial to acknowledge that match day is an essential and thrilling event for young players. While the joy of competition and the chance to play alongside friends are undoubtedly significant motivators, it's also essential to recognise the underlying reasons why these players choose to participate in the sport.
Coaches and parents need to understand why young players engage in sports. Some players may enjoy physical activity, while others may be motivated by the sense of belonging to a team or the feeling of accomplishment that comes with improving their skills. By identifying and acknowledging these individual motivations, coaches and parents can better support their players and help them stay engaged and passionate about the sport
To achieve this, take the time to talk with your young players and understand their reasons for playing. Create an environment that fosters their love of the game. The one hundred activities below can help encourage players to express their motivations for playing by asking them to prioritise their reasons. This exercise can provide valuable insights into what drives each player and can help coaches and parents tailor their approach to meet individual needs.
It is essential to understand that winning and losing are integral parts of any sport, especially in a competitive setting. However, it's important to avoid a "win at all costs" mentality, which can negatively impact young players' development. Winning should not be the sole determinant of a player's abilities and skills. Overemphasising winning can create unnecessary pressure and anxiety, leading to burnout and disengagement from the sport. Instead, the focus should be on the learning process, teamwork, and sportsmanship. As coaches and parents, we should encourage players to embrace new aspects of the game, learn from their mistakes, and do their best, regardless of the outcome. This approach will help players develop a positive attitude towards the game and foster a love for the sport that extends beyond the win-loss record.
It's important to avoid creating a culture that places too much emphasis on the outcome of a match as the sole indicator of a player or team's abilities. Youth players are still in the learning and development phase, so it's essential to understand that the outcomes of matches can fluctuate. Coaches and parents should provide a supportive environment that encourages players to learn from their mistakes and focus on the process of improvement. Comparisons to elite sports should be avoided because youth players have different goals and needs than professional athletes. By promoting a healthy mindset, coaches and parents can create a positive environment that allows young players to enjoy the game, compete, and grow as individuals.
We should recognise that losing can be difficult for young players, but it's a natural part of the game. It's not just about the outcome but also the effort and attitude that players put forth. We should strive to create an environment that encourages players to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement rather than just focusing on an easy measurable result. By discussing games with parents and players, we can create an open dialogue that promotes growth and development. Players should view losses as opportunities to learn and improve rather than just failures. With a positive and growth-oriented approach, we can create an environment that fosters resilience and a love for the game, regardless of the outcome.
If a win-at-all-costs environment is encouraged in the short term, players may develop a narrow focus on outcomes rather than on skill development, learning, and enjoyment of the game. This can lead to increased pressure to perform, heightened anxiety, and a negative impact on players' mental health and well-being. Additionally, in the long term, a win-at-all-costs mentality may lead to players quitting the sport altogether due to a lack of enjoyment and frustration with the overly competitive environment. It may also hinder players' long-term development, as they may not be allowed to take risks and learn from mistakes, which are critical components of skill development. This mentality can lead to a focus on short-term success rather than long-term development, potentially hindering players' ability to reach their full potential in the future.
Our goal, as a coach, is to create a fun and player-centred environment where each player can define their own success and not just focus on the end result. To achieve this, I use various methods like role model challenges, team goals, and individual targets, as shown below:
Team Targets
One successful strategy in sports is to let players choose individual targets that align with the team's overall goals. This approach provides players with a greater sense of control and ownership over their performance and progress. Targets could be anything from making a certain number of successful passes to winning a specific number of tackles or scoring a goal.
By focusing on their targets, players become more engaged and motivated during the game. This approach also gives them a clear measure of their development and success that goes beyond the final score. This not only helps create a fun and positive atmosphere during matches but also promotes long-term player development.
Individual Targets
Developing individual positional targets for players can be an excellent strategy to enhance player growth and keep young players interested and engaged during matches. When players have specific goals to focus on, they become more attentive and involved in the game and are encouraged to experiment with new techniques. It is crucial to discuss and agree upon these targets with players to ensure they feel a sense of responsibility and authority over their progress.
Players should be given the freedom to play and feel motivated by the targets set for them. They should also be given enough time, patience, and encouragement to strive for completion in a game-specific environment that is free of excessive pressure. These targets should be challenging yet achievable, and they should align with the player's overall development goals. When players are able to reach these targets, it creates a sense of accomplishment that can be a source of pride and joy, even in the event of a loss.
Role Model Challenge
A role model challenge is a useful tool for developing young players. In this challenge, players are encouraged to identify three role models who inspire them and then analyse their success factors. After that, they reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses as players and set developmental goals based on what they have learned from their role models. By participating in this exercise, players not only gain a better understanding of their abilities but also get valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in soccer.
The Role Model Challenge inspires players to develop a growth mindset, important for success in both football and life by encouraging critical self-reflection on skills and abilities.
Challenge Cards
Challenge cards are an exciting and fun way to motivate players to learn from and follow in the footsteps of elite players. These cards contain specific objectives that players can try to achieve during a match, such as dribbling like Megan Rapinoe or defending like Virgil van Dijk. By completing these achievable targets, players can gradually improve their skills and grow in confidence.
Furthermore, challenge cards offer players an opportunity to explore different styles of play and learn from some of the best in the game. Whether players are aspiring to become the next superstar or simply looking to enhance their skills, challenge cards can be a valuable tool for both coaches and players.
Match days provide an excellent opportunity for coaches and parents to evaluate the progress of their players, but it is crucial to remember that development is a process that takes time. We should encourage individual player development by providing a game context that enables players to identify their targets and strive towards them. It is vital to avoid making comparisons between players, as each one develops at their own pace, and their progress should be measured on an individual basis.
As coaches and parents, we must remain patient and offer the necessary support to help players reach their potential without putting undue pressure on them. By focusing on individual player development within a game context and encouraging players to set their targets, we can create an environment where players feel empowered to achieve their goals, enjoy the game, and develop their skills.
