Coaching a sports team is a complex and challenging task that requires a combination of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological skills. A coach is responsible for leading and developing a team of athletes towards achieving their goals, both individually and collectively. Strong leadership is crucial for success, as it sets the tone for the team’s culture, values, and work ethic.
So, just what’s needed to make a team succeed? In today’s article, we take a look at a few of the important elements of coaching and why strong leadership is important for success.
Set a vision
The first step in coaching a sports team is to establish a clear vision and set of objectives for the season. This includes defining the team’s playing style, strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. The coach must also determine the roles and responsibilities of each player, and how they fit into the team’s overall strategy.
Figure out each player
Getting to know each player on a team is critical for success. A coach needs to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and playing style in order to make the most of their abilities. This includes assessing individual skills as well as understanding each player’s personality, attitude, and commitment level. In an interview with Owayo, soccer coach Daniel Drißler explains how important it is to figure out the level of each player when coaching begins.
“The level of the players can be seen relatively quickly when you increase the demands, i.e. demand more speed and more difficult movements and tactical actions,” he said.
“As soon as the players can’t cope, you’ve reached the current limit, which you can gradually increase. This limit is different for each player, so that you should differentiate within the training – for example by creating homogeneous groups or adding individual exercises.”
Develop a training plan
Once the vision is set, the coach must develop a training plan that focuses on improving the team’s skills, physical fitness, and mental toughness. This involves designing practice sessions that are challenging, yet enjoyable, and that focus on improving specific areas of the game. The coach may also ask that the team follows a proper nutrition and recovery plan, as well as monitoring their physical and mental health throughout the season.
Tactical analysis and planning
Another crucial aspect of coaching a sports team is tactical analysis and game planning. The coach must study the team’s opponents, analyse their strengths and weaknesses, and develop a game plan that maximises the team’s chances of success. This includes making adjustments during the game, such as substitutions, tactical changes, and motivational speeches, to keep the team focused and motivated.
Provide guidance
One of the most important roles of a coach is to provide leadership and guidance to the team. A coach must be a role model for their players, demonstrating a strong work ethic, discipline, and a positive attitude. They must also be able to communicate effectively with their players, providing feedback, constructive criticism, and motivation when needed.
In an interview with Harvard Business School professor, Anita Elberse, coach of the Manchester United football team, Sir Alex Ferguson spoke on the importance of encouragement.
“Few people get better with criticism; most respond to encouragement instead,” he said.
“So I tried to give encouragement when I could. For a player — for any human being — there is nothing better than hearing ‘Well done.’ Those are the two best words ever invented. You don’t need to use superlatives.”
Build relationships
Another key aspect of coaching a sports team is building strong relationships with players, parents, and other stakeholders. A coach must be able to communicate effectively with all members of the team, and be willing to listen to their concerns and feedback. This includes maintaining open lines of communication with parents, providing regular updates on the team’s progress, and addressing any issues that may arise.
Adaptability
Finally, a coach must be able to adapt and evolve their coaching style over time. As the team evolves and faces new challenges, the coach must be able to adjust their approach to meet the team’s changing needs. This includes staying up-to-date with the latest coaching techniques and best practices, as well as seeking feedback from players and other coaches.
The importance of leadership
Strong leadership is particularly important in team sports, as it helps to create a sense of unity and purpose within the team. A coach who is able to inspire and motivate their players can create a strong team culture, where players are willing to work hard, support each other, and strive for excellence. This can lead to improved performance on the field, as well as a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfilment for the players.
In addition to the technical and tactical aspects of coaching a sports team, a coach must also be able to manage their team effectively. This includes developing a team culture that promotes accountability, responsibility, and respect, as well as managing conflicts and disciplinary issues. A coach must also be able to manage their time effectively, balancing their coaching responsibilities with their personal and professional commitments.
The style of coaching can differ greatly depending on a number of factors.
According to a study by Dr. Sharon P. Misasi, Dr. Gary Morin and Lauren Kwasnowski titled Leadership: Athletes and Coaches in Sport and published in The Sport Journal:
“Effective leadership in coaching occurs when athletes perform in accordance with the coach’s intentions while finding their own needs satisfied.”
This study measured the differences between coaches of different genders, and across different divisions. Some of the findings from this study included:
- Female coaches tended to plan out their activities more often, while the male coaches were more insistent that player assignments were performed to “last detail”.
- NCAA Division I coaches were less likely to be inclined to explain their actions to their athletes.
- NCAA Division I coaches were less likely to let athletes “try their own way even if mistakes were made”.
- Female athletes felt their coaches were more likely to help with settling conflicts within the team, as compared to male athletes.
- In general, females felt their coaches were more likely to demonstrate acts of social support in the team.
Coaching a sports team is a multifaceted and challenging task that requires a combination of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological skills. Strong leadership is crucial for success, as it sets the tone for the team’s culture, values, and work ethic. A coach must be able to provide guidance and motivation to their players, build strong relationships with all stakeholders, manage conflicts and disciplinary issues, and adapt their coaching style to meet the team’s changing needs. By doing so, a coach can create a strong team culture that promotes excellence, unity, and achievement.
– Owayo
