Managing Time as a Coach

David Elliott – England Academy Manager

How Do You Plan Your Time as a Coach

• Reactive- respond to what happened at weekend

• Proactive- plan sessions in advance

• Flexible in what you deliver

• Do you Wait to see what the players want to do

• Split into groups and discuss how you operate as a coach, be honest about what you do

there are no right or wrongs.

What Would a Head Coach Want in a Player?

• Decision Making - The capacity to ‘read the play’, to assess what's in front of his eyes.

• Select the right option and execute good technical & tactical decisions

• Core & Fundamental skills don’t break down under pressure….games or practice

• Good thinkers, know what they are doing

• Naturally motivated independent thinkers

• Physically fit, psychologically smart.

• Game Understanding/Management

Managing Limited Time with Players

• Only see the player for a few hours a week Part time/jobs priority

• Limited interaction time with them

• How do we manage that- Get the most out of our time.

• In your groups discuss your current sessions at training – the format and make up of a typical

session- no right or wrong answers

• Why do we Prioritise.

– 10 min discussion

• What do Coaches Prioritise.

– 10 min discussion

Managing Time as a Coach, both for YOU and YOUR Players.

What Effects Decisions?

OpponentExperience of

SituationPhysical Attributes Skill Qualities

Psychological Attributes

Team Plan Conditions Score line

Level of competition Outside influences

• How do we Prioritise.• 10min discussion & Task

Task Work

Alternative Approach

• Game Sense

• Games for Understanding

• Game Centred Approach

• Constraints Led Approach

All different names used for very similar concepts of using games to develop decision makers

Brief Statement on Games for Understanding

• Essentially, TGFU organises the teaching of invasion games programs around issues

relevant to the team/students; ensures that the practice environment closely simulates the

invasion game context; engages students as stakeholders in the learning process; and

enhances the development of positive learning outcomes such as critical thinking, problem-

solving, decision-making, better Understanding of tactical knowledge, leadership and

interpersonal skills, and more enjoyment of the games experience.

Hubball, Lambert & Hayes

What actually is a Game Centred Approach?

• The player is the thinker – decision maker

• The coach is the organiser– manipulates the rules & questions the players

• The Game is central to the learning

• Scoring systems are created to reward the desired outcomes

• Be prepared to deal with the unexpected

• Other factors to consider – numbers, time, rules & Questions

Common Misconceptions

• This approach is not about the sacrifice of technique – however due to lots of elements these

techniques maybe different – how many top sportsmen do the orthodox way – Fosbury Flop;

Cruyft Turn……Benji Marshall….Shaun Johnson

• The Coach is a bystander – really needs to observe, ask questions, manipulate the situation

Small Sided Games

• What’s your understanding of them

• Do you use them and if so how?

Discuss in your groups the relevance of small sided games

Any Questions