What’s really the hardest coaching task?

The hardest task in coaching isn’t what you coach, it’s how you coach. More specifically, it is how you differentiate your coaching. You have an array of talents in front of you and some of them will be better than others. Since you want to improve all the players, how do you stretch those at the top without leaving behind those at the bottom?

Researching this question recently, I came across several articles which mentioned “learning styles”. Anyone who’s followed my thoughts on this will know that this is a myth. So, before we look at ways of differentiating our coaching, let’s not believe our players have different learning styles.

However, they will have different attributes, different experiences, different levels of understanding of the game. We must embrace this as part of our menu of training exercises, nudges and games.

First, we mustn’t be too worried that every minute of the session will work for every player. Some will get more out of one section than the others. Over the whole session, there should be something in it for everyone.

Second, we need to read the players’ reactions with an unbiased view. What we think is good ourselves isn’t the same for everyone. Just as much as one player finds Ricky Gervais funny, another will think he’s a bore. 

Combine these two points to create a variety of different challenges that will give every player an opportunity to express themselves. And therein lies the key: A player must be able to feel they’ve had a chance to grow and a chance to prove they’ve grown.

This concept is a fundamental human trait. We want to be certain about ourselves, not to be seen as a fool. Yet, we also want to learn and improve, which suggests we aren’t so certain. The right challenge will give a player a situation where they can show all their team mates their worth. Perhaps that might be in terms of effort, or strength, or a good technique under pressure.

That very same challenge might also force a mistake from that player. If they reflect, with or without you or their team mates, and then work out what they might do differently next time, then they have learned too.

That’s why I think the hardest task in coaching is to create that perfect storm of certainty and uncertainty for the whole session, for every player. Therefore, you have a mix of challenges using a variety of media. You might start with a game of touch, break off into some technical activities, add in pressure, take out pressure but increase the technicality, play some more games but with different constraints, or even, dare I say it, use a drill or two.

Whatever you do, keep looking and listening. How are the players reacting? Then think, “did every player prove themselves and learn something today?”