You Don’t Win, Without Leading
“If you want to lead, it is critical you know what the kids around you need and expect from you” Tom Rath & Barry Conchie, Strength-Based Leadership.
Children pre 12 years of age want to ‘play’. This is a personal motivation.
Observations of children when they are allowed free play, uncluttered by coaches, they are often more productive in terms of learning.
They demonstrate a greater sense of self-motivation and social interactions.
If They Don’t Complain, They’re Happy
I have coached over 500 kids each year, the past 10 seasons in a variety of programs – camps, clinics, after-school, club training, and team training.
My leadership was often – ‘I say, you do’. The players did not have an opinion or input. Being the coach, I strongly thought my ideas and solutions were the best.
That leadership style changed as my journey traveled deeper into coaching education.
When you are on the field, what are your principles in leading your team? Are the team values, goals and behavior decided by you or with players?
Getting All On-board
When leading your team there need to be a positive team culture built on values, team behavior and goals. A coach-player agreement on these principles is essential to getting players on board and creating unity.
3 Steps How To Lead by Inclusion & Engagement
Step 1 – Establish Team Values
A study by Amanda Visek, Ph.D. revealed what players considered important in playing sports.
The top 3 are listed below, and should be considered when creating team values.
- Positive Coaching – expectations of the coach
- Positive Team Dynamics – expectations from teammates
- Trying Hard – expectations from themself
Step 2 – Create Team Goals
These goals represent the expected team behavior from players and coaches.
For example,
Team Value – Positive Coaching
Team Goal – Coach treats players with respect
Step 3 – Co-construct expected team behavior
Getting your team involved is important to building team dynamics and values.
Some methods of getting your team involved.
Pre-Season Meeting
Organize a pre-season meeting only with players. This can be done at the first practice. Conduct a survey or questionnaire.
Team Bonding
A welcome party at a parent’s home or park. Hand out a survey or questionnaire. Have parent(s) and player complete jointly.
1 on 1
Conduct mini conversations during practice and games. This is a great way to learn independently from other influences about a players’ personality, interests, and motivations
Why Kids Play Soccer
One factor that makes playing soccer fun for players is positive team dynamics. Leading players along this path require the coach to involve the players in the process of creating team behaviors and goals.
How have you been leading your team? Are your players involved in creating goals and team behaviors?
Resources
FUN Integration Theory, Amanda Visek (2015)
Leadership: Practicing Leadership, Dr. Mike Voight (Soccer Journal – January – February 2019)
D Coaching License, US Soccer (2020)
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