Why the Best Coaches Ask Questions
MICHAEL KODAMA United Soccer Coaches Communities Relations Manager
I believe that all coaches should constantly strive to learn more. No matter what level you coach, the drive to be better and learn more is so important. We must always keep learning.
I attend a lot of youth, high school, college and professional games. Even though I am not currently coaching a team, I still show up early to watch warm-ups. During the games, I still analyze the game from many angles( like a coach). I seek out points of view to better understand the game.
I have a difficult time understanding how some people believe they know everything about this game. Even the coaches at the highest levels of the game talk about their need to always learn more. I am lucky to have met many of these coaches who are quick to help others.
The game is constantly changing and evolving with so many moving pieces. I believe soccer is one of the most difficult games to coach on the field— we get no timeouts, must rely on our players to make quick decisions and adjust to a variety of scenarios throughout a game. This is what makes coaching soccer challenging— but also so much fun.
Here at United Soccer Coaches, we have an opportunity to learn from our colleagues at all levels of the game. This is an invaluable resource to further our education, network and ask questions. Coaches should not feel alone or that they have to know everything. It’ s OK to ask questions, discuss strategies and watch the performance of other coaches. It’ s valuable to take the time to learn and improve— isn’ t that what we ask from our players?
To emphasize the points that I made, let’ s look at some of the considerations for game day. Game day is a difficult time to teach skills, tactics or create new set pieces. Players will not instantly learn how to tackle, head, pass, dribble, shoot and score at the game. Practice is the time to learn techniques, tactics, movements with and without the ball, communication skills and so much more. Think of the game as a test to bring everything together.
GAME DAY
As you approach game day, do you the time to adjust your schedule for a game that may occur in the morning, afternoon or evening? Do you prepare your players with the appropriate pregame meal? Pre-game routine? Video analysis? Scouting reports?
... continued on page 40
39