Being a Teacher

No aspect of coaching is more important than teaching. It is absolutely critical that you do no neglect your responsibility in this area. If you cannot or do not teach your players and staff the things they need to know even performing the rest of your responsibilities well will not be enough to guarantee that the team will be successful. the admonition “for the want of a nail in the wall” is as true in football as in any other situation.Without properly executed fundamentals, the entire system can break down. Accordingly, you must ensure that every player gets the information and hands-on instruction that he needs to develop and refine those skills that are required for his position.

In this regard, several steps are involved in the teaching process, including deciding how the material will be taught, explaining the information to the player, demonstrating the skill to the player, having the player practice the skill, critiquing the players performance, and having the player continue to practice under your supervision.

You should recognize that individuals often have distinctly different responses to the learning process. As such, you must adjust your teaching approach and methods to account for individual differences. among the steps that you can take to ensure that the teaching process for et team is appropriate are the following: 1) Use a straight forward, broad based vocabulary that allows you to communicate in very specific descriptive terms. 2)Employ a clear, consider language that ensures that your explanations to and exchanges with other individuals will be clearly understood. 3) Ensure that the information you provide and the instruction you offer on a given topic accounts for a wide range of knowledge and comprehension among the member of your intended audience. 4)Ensure that you r approach to a teaching a particular subject matter account for the fact that some members of the group to whom you are speaking may be more receptive and more ready to learn than others.The critical factor in this regard is how important an individual perceives the information to be, relatively speaking. 5) Demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the material you are presenting.What you say and how you say it can help display your steadfast concern for a particular subject.As the head coach, one of your responsibilities is to negate interest in and excitement for a given matter among your players.The most effective way to accomplish such an objective is to utilize a high level of energy and show ardent enthusiasm for the subject when discussing it with your players.

Ensure that your relationship with the team has a light, relaxed side. Keep in mind that while humor can bring people together, it must be self-effacing and not at anyone’s expense. Observe the members of the group while you are speaking and determine whether they are paying attention. If, for any reason, the attention span of the group is not what it should be, take steps to remedy the situation. Emphasize to the group that note taking is strongly encouraged.This practice not only helps them to thoroughly recall the information that your presented, it enables them to be better prepared to connect the details of one point to another and one teaching session to another. Ensure that the teaching process for a given subject account for those individuals who may struggle or fails to keep up with the material or the expected schedule of learning.

Make certain that any theory, concept or precept you initially offer to introduce a particular topic is thoroughly comprehended by your audience before you discuss more complex aspects of the subject matter.

Be aware of and sensitive to the limitations of a group of individuals to learn given task or subject.

Employ a somewhat predictable presentation style.Varying your delivery can help enhance or at least maintain the attention level of your audience. It can also be used to

place a specific level of emphasis on a given topic. Keep the length of your presentation an appropriate duration. Be alert for a loss of concentration by members of your audience. Speaking for too long can render your entire presentation ineffectual. Organize and give your presentation in sequential “Building Blocks”. It is better to begin a discussion with an overview of basic factors and then to progressively develop the topic to more complex levels. Review your presentation of specific material constantly. Revise as necessary to keep your delivery current and fresh. Encourage audience participation in your presentation as long as such involvement is appropriate and timely. Audience participations should be limited to given situations. Employ visual aids to illustrate a point, to add variety to your presentation, to enhance the attention span of the audience, and to place specific emphasis as intended.Your presentations must be graphic and animated, yet detailed and thorough, to energize players and stimulate them to perform at their highest level. Some players are extremely motivated on their own, while others need more encouragement from you. Ensure that members of your audience have confidence in the material that your are presenting to a point where their desire to learn the material and to be better prepared to achieve their (individual or team) goals is enhanced.

Educate your athletes to the highest levels possible. Far too often, the “art” of coaching is lost when coaches fail to realize the depth to which the game should be and MUST be taught.

-Bill Walsh