What Makes A Good Coach?

RESPECT THE GOLDEN RULE

  • Treat players, their parents and officials in the same manner that you want to be treated.
  • That means no yelling, no sarcasm and no embarrassing anyone in front of others.

BE EVERYONE’S COACH

  • As the saying goes, ‘there’s no I in TEAM.’ Let everyone contribute.
  • Treat everyone the same.
  • To gain respect, you must give respect.

APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANTS

  • No coach can do it all.
  • Find a good assistant or two, give them responsibility and never stop thanking them.

FOCUS ON THE BASICS

  • Help your players master the basics of the sport you are coaching.
  • Wins and losses come and go, but you only get one chance to develop players’ skills.
  • Remind your players that ‘Hussle’ is an important skill.

TEACH AND ENFORCE GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

  • Spend time explaining to your team how to behave after a win or a loss.
  • Teach your players to have a positive relationship with the officials.
  • Have the courage to enforce sportsmanship if one of your players misbehaves.

UNDERSTAND THE RULES OF THE GAME

  • Read the rulebook. (Know the rules).
  • You can’t expect your players to know the rules if you do not.

HAVE A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OFFICIALS

  • Officials will not respond positively if you try to bully or intimidate them.
  • Ask questions, if necessary. Seek clarification if it’s needed.
  • Set the right tone for your team by never arguing a decision or bad mouthing an official.

PROMOTE FUN

  • Avoid being too serious.
  • Don’t make winning the ‘be all and end all’.
  • Make sure you smile.
  • Above all, make sure your players are having fun – otherwise, you are doing something wrong.

BE PATIENT

  • Your players will miss shots/tackles/headers etc. They’re going to commit fouls.
  • They need the freedom to make mistakes and be told that it is human to make mistakes.
  • It’s your job to help them learn from those mistakes.
  • That takes time – and patience.

COMMUNICATE WITH THE PARENTS

  • Make sure you communicate regularly with the parents with regard to practices, kit, matches, equipment, funds, etc.
  • If a parent has a particular concern, give them the opportunity to discuss it with you.
  • Parents come to games to see their kids play; make sure every player has the opportunity to make a contribution.