Turning weaknesses back into strengths

All players are prone to making errors from time to time, but consistent weaknesses need to be identified and worked upon to improve efficiency and outcomes.

You need to separate a mistake which isn’t a fundamental – like dropping a wet ball, or missing one out of eight tackles – from a systematic weakness. 

For example, a player might be losing the ball in contact more often than they should, or jumping out of the defensive line.

Start the process

Don’t be tempted to hide away from talking through errors.

If you don’t encourage a culture of discussion and honest evaluation, identifying weaknesses can be seen as a personal attack. It can result in players digging their heels in and becoming defensive, especially if done in front of their team-mates.

It is also important to identify and praise good technique and performance, so there is a balance between the two, and the process of evaluation is not always seen as negative. 

Often, players do not see the mistakes they make, or realise their own shortcomings.

Skill evaluation

You and your players should not look at the right or wrong way to perform a skill, but how effective the skill is.

This change of mindset develops good communication between player and coach and provides an honest evaluation of skills.

Ways to identify skill inefficiency:

• The player’s own feelings and thoughts
• Statistical analysis (like tackles made/missed)
• Video analysis
• Peer analysis/review
• Other players’/coaches’ feedback
• Addressing problems

Video analysis works very well. It helps to set up dialogue relating to how the skill can be modified and improved so that it becomes more successful and consistent.

However, if you don’t have access to that sort of technology, a simple smartphone video can be helpful.

Ask the player to help you to help them. Design solutions together. They could work with another player before or after training.

Try not to identify and point out every single mistake a player or team makes. Look instead at consistent, recurrent problems that are either technical or tactically inefficient and attempt to improve those.

Finally, instill a culture of improvement. Nothing is ever perfect and we are constantly striving to change our habits. 

A weakness is something we haven’t spent as much time on – yet.