CoaCHes CORNER
Before the
whistle
blows
Why coaches and parents
have to know the gameplan
BY ian mcilWain
My first mistake as a new Team seleCTion
coach in Canada was not Coaches may use try-outs, performance at their comfort-level. Once a commitment is
communicating effectively with practice, fitness, attitude and /or commitment made then everything should be done to help
the parents of my players. I arrived in Canada to select players at the start of the season. the players fulfill the obligation to the team,
five years ago after having played and Then, from week to week, playing time should and themselves.
coached soccer to a good level in England. be laid out. If there are club or league rules In England, or at least certainly when I was
It didn’t take me long before I found a new regarding playing time then they should be a young player, parents did not play as big a
coaching assignment. The players responded provided to all. role in the sports-lives of youngsters as here
extremely well to me, the club was very My style was to pick the strongest starting in Canada. I had never ever heard the term
pleased about the progress the team was team and encourage players not starting the “soccer mom” before I started coaching here.
making in all competitions, and I was feeling game to assess their own performance as So, it did not occur to me that the involvement
confident that I was having a positive impact compared to the player competing in that of parents in soccer clubs and teams is key,
on the general skill levels of all the players position (defence, midfield or offence). This if not essential, for success. They are needed
… then the angry phone calls started and, can be an effective motivator, but may not be for more than just car-pooling! Their support
worse still, a nasty confrontation right in the intuitively understood by younger players, or and co-operation means we can all pull in the
middle of a game. their parents (as in my unfortunate case)! same direction with the same goals in mind.
The objections centred on playing time Sometimes team rules are attached to Coaches make mistakes, just like players
for weaker players compared with stronger selection. For example, if players do not make mistakes during the course of a game
players and my policy for cutting players. attend practice, are late or do not have proper or practice, but we can improve together. I
These are both areas where ultimately only equipment, then they do not start the game. had not learned in that first season that even
the coach can make the decision. They are This should be communicated clearly at the if my goals and priorities for the team did not
also sensitive areas and, looking back, I start of the season, and then adhered to even exactly line-up with the wishes of the parents,
should have explained my decision-making if it’s a semi-final and it’s the star striker who the least I could do was communicate to
criteria long before the very first match is late. everyone what I was trying to accomplish.
kicked-off. So, for any coach who assumes If parents have a concern to discuss about Ian McIlwain is an English FA Certified
they get to call the shots beyond question playing time or anything else, they shouldn’t C
SummerCampADBall.qxd 4/30/2008 11:50 AM
oach.
and for any parent wondering about what to attempt to confront the coach before or after
expect from a coach when the new season a practice or match. These can be emotional
starts, here are some topics that should be times for both and meeting then often does
REGISTER NOW!
tackled before the whistle blows! not lead to a satisfactory resolution. Set up an
221 Westbrook Rd.
appointment instead.
417 at Carp Rd.
CoaChing PhilosoPhy
“Play hard, play to win, have fun” is as objeCTives
good a philosophy as any. This coaching If the objective is to develop players to a
style ensures everyone gets equal playing professional or college scholarship standard,
time. A coach may believe that by practising then the set-up will be quite different than for
Weekly Camps run from June 30th to Aug 29th
at the difficulty level of the strongest team a team who wants just to have fun playing
Time - 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Rate - $210 per child, per week
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members that others will rise to that level. together. Everyone plays soccer because they
Whatever the case, the coaching philosophy enjoy it. Coach, player and parents need to
For more Information and to register call
should be explained early and often to reduce understand how challenging the team will be
613-831-3121 Ext: 3305 or visit
www.ozmerch.com
guessing games. and how much players will be pushed beyond
6
Ottawa
www.Kickabout.ca
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