When To Start Coaching in a Game

Coaching the game

Coaching should have an impact on players, which ideally, should lead to improved performance during competition. During coaching the ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ are essential factors that can determine effectiveness.

As a coach, you want to coach…direct, command, guide, lead and demonstrate. You need to learn how to coach.

NR Vikings versus WP ’07 Black

Final game of the 2019 fall season for U13 boys, and with a victory the boys can end in 2nd position. Our opponent is a cross-town rival game so that adds excitement to the occasion. Plus the coach is a colleague and friend.

Within the first 7 minutes, WP had moved into the final third and were pressuring the goal. Their efforts paid off by scoring the opening goal and going up 1-0. They could have gotten a second before we mounted our first attack. My emotions were starting to boil, players were getting restless and our assistant coaches shouted ‘wake up boys’, ‘let’s get going’!.

It went from bad to worse as one of our better players decided to leave when asked to warm up. I sweated until minute 15 then started substituting and switching player positions. We tied the score 1-1 by half time and pulled out a 3-1 victory in the end.

Coaching Your Game

Coaching needs to be about not only about correcting breakdowns but also recognizing positive moments. During a game, providing coaching points needs to take into account many factors.

This post is about understanding how to coach players in a game. You are going to gain some tools and insights into effective coaching methods.

6 Tips How to Coach A Game

1. First 15 – observe the game, look for re-occurring trends, which players make a difference. This should occur regardless of the score. Players need time to adapt to the challenges.
2. Take notes on crucial moments. Goal scored or nearly scored, who is mainly involved in their attacks, defense. What happens on set plays.
3. Second 15 – players have had time to adjust to the demands of the game, coaching now becomes more relevant.
4. Use diagrams. A picture is worth 1,000 words. (Substitution Pattern below).
5. Less is more during competition. Provide simple instructions to substitutes entering the game. For example, play wider when we have ball & try to drive to end line’
6. Final 10, patterns should have become clear. Provide coaching points based on moments in the game that address the 5 W’s – what, when, where, who and why.

What’s your coaching like in the first 5 minutes. What’s your reaction when your team goes up a goal, or worse gives up a goal? You have to manage the players on the field, subs, parents…not an easy task.

Effective coaching demands greater use of your eyes and ears and less of your mouth. Asking guided questions gets players involved in decision making.