Crossing The Line As A Coach: Dealing With The Other Team

While traditionally coaches of teams don’t have many issues with their opposing counterparts, or the players on the other team, issues can still occasionally occur that can lead to potentially negative situations. With that in mind it is important to remain respectful when dealing with coaches and members of another team. Sometimes you might not like the opposing coach or the other team, and whether or not you win or lose, you might want to just yell at them because it makes you feel better. Coaches are human being too, and as a coach you can sometimes get riled up by the opponents. However, remember that when you have a negative interaction with another coach or player on another team, you are essentially telling your players that it’s ok to act in this manner, and that these types of behaviors are normal and acceptable. Sometimes you need to be the bigger person, and to remember you’re the role model and often the face of your team. Team’s and players often take on the identify and values of their coach,  and how you act on the field will often dictate how your players act on the field. If the coach or a player of an opposing team is crossing the line, use it as a learning experience for your players, and explain to them why those actions are not appropriate. Turn a negative into a positive by teaching your players how they should be acting.

Crossing The Line As A Coach: Dealing With Parents

 Depending upon the age and level of the game that you are coaching, you may find yourself having to interact with parents of your players from time to time. While parents of players can be a great resource and benefit for a team, they can also present some difficult situations for coaches. We have all heard the horror stories of the aggressive or over competitive parent that takes things too fare, and it is important as a coach to make sure not to cross the line when you’re dealing with parents. Yes parents can be overbearing, or think that they know more than you do. It’s human nature to want to remind them that you’re the coach not them, however ,always remember that they’re coming from a place of caring and concern, and that they ultimately want to see the same things as you do. It is critical not to blame a player for the behavior of their parents. It also does no one any good to have a negative interaction with a parent, as it puts your players in a very awkward situation.  At the end of the day what should be most important to both you and a players parent is that the player is having fun, and learning, growing, and developing both on and off of the field. Keeping this big picture in mind can help you as a coach when you are faced with a difficult parent.

Crossing The Line As A Coach: Interacting With Referees

Ahh, referees and coaches, for many people these two groups appear to be natural enemies. However, there is no reason that these two parties can’t interact with each other in a respectful and positive manner. Yes, sometimes referees make a bad call, and it’s human nature to want to yell at them or call them names, but that’s not helping anything. All it’s doing is setting a bad example for your players and telling them that this behavior is OK. Remember, as a coach you are expected to be a role model for your players, especially if you are coaching younger children. It is important as a coach not to underestimate how great of an impact your actions and words can have on your players. Instead of getting mad when a referee in your opinion does miss a call, focus on getting your team back on track, they’re probably just as upset as you are, and it’s your job as a leader and role model to show them that they can move past it. If you’re still busy focusing on the referee you will not able to help them, and  all that you’re doing is setting a bad example and letting them know that this behavior is a natural reaction. Be progressive in these situations, not reactive.

 

Crossing The Line As A Coach: Interacting With Your Players

So what does it look like to cross the line as a coach? Well how about this, you spent all week preparing for the game, you’ve practiced, you’ve developed a game plan, you’re ready for your opponents, and your players are ready to get out there as well. But, when you finally do kick off, everything starts to go wrong! Why? Because the players aren’t doing what you’ve practiced all week! You spent all week working on how to win the game, and now you’re players screwing it up! Of course your upset, this is important, it could even be your career on line in some cases. So how do you react? You could start to yell at your team, obviously they didn’t get the message the first time, so you need to ‘remind’ them how to do their jobs. However, while that may be cathartic, it’s really not helping at all! Remember that crossing the line and being angry at your own players isn’t going to do anyone any good in the long run. In fact, by yelling at them you’re setting a bad example, and you’re making sure that everyone around you knows that you are off your game. Instead of focusing on yelling at your team or a player that may be playing poorly, try and think about what you can do to change the outcome of the game. Maybe you need to make a sub, or maybe you need to make a tactical change to help your team get back on track. That’s what coaching is all about, adapting to challenges. View these setbacks as a challenge that will make you a better coach in the long run. At the end of the day it is all about the process of getting better as a team and as individuals, sometimes you need to face adversity to achieve this goal. Harassing your players, and making them feel bad about themselves because they did not play well is only going to hurt the team in the long term, as you could end up damaging their confidence and love of the game!