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Andrew Gambrill is Head Coach of Coventry Jets flag team - Andrew’s national titles as a player and a coach reach double
figures. He has been involved in national titles at every age level from cadet
to senior. Andrew was also the Offensive Coordinator for the Great Britain juniors
when they won the European Championship in 2003. Andrew is also a BAFCA
board member. But first and foremost he is a coach.
Fun
& Inclusion versus Winning
Who
is the club for? When you win, who are you happy for? Yourself? Your players?
I’ve
made some horrible, short sighted, ego driven decisions in my career. I have
left rookies to freeze on the sidelines whilst my starters have won games for
the “team”. I’m still disappointed with some of the decision I’ve made, I’ve
been guilty of losing sight of what my role really should be. I’ve let some
good kids down and will have to live that.
However,
I’ve learnt there is far more satisfaction in seeing that rookie develop into
best that they can be. Even if it isn’t GB standard, that’s not what’s
important. There is that one golden moment in a game of little consequence,
where they’ve dropped 3 passes but then, because the coach had faith, they
catch that fourth ball thrown their way, for a TD. The picture of that face is
still clear in my mind and will always stay with me. As will the “thank you” at
the end of the game, not always articulated in their words, but that’s not
important.
Other
aspects like personal development, contributing to a child’s knowledge of a
healthy lifestyle, being a good citizen are all something we can contribute to.
You
may need that rookie one day, when they’re one of only 5 who can make the game.
Trouble is then, from being a bit part player, they find themselves playing
every down. But, they’ve been on the sidelines in practice and haven’t had the
reps in the previous games and so aren’t up to speed with their routes and
responsibilities. As such, they let you down, just like you thought they would…
In
essence, we must give every player a comparable amount of game time. Make it
worth their while. Reward their effort, not their output. Though effort and
output may come hand in hand, given the chance.
We’re
not here to win, we’re here to teach. We’re here to give everyone who practices
and pays their money the same chance. Sport is inherently a meritocracy, but we
don’t have to just shrug our shoulders and accept that. We don’t need to
contribute to it. The players need to feel safe with their coaches, need to
feel that coach will take care of them.
Creating
an A and a B team, instantly condemns those on the B team, sending them a clear
and stark message. Admittedly, so far I have painted a black and white picture where
there are clearly many shades of grey. It’s 4th and long in the
championship game; do you put your best players out there? Of course you do.
But by then it’s ok, because all season you have given the rest of the team
time to contribute. Maybe that kid you thought had no hope is now a starter?
Maybe, in some games your “star” players got less time than your less talented
guys? So now, it’s ok.
I’m
not saying try and kid them that they’re all as good as each other. If you
asked the youngsters individually, they would all be able to rank themselves
with a good degree of accuracy. And what do the “stars” on the team think of
this concept? I think they’ll understand it. It’s a concept based on fairness
that helps the team reach its potential. It’s not just about turning up to
practice. I’ve known some players rarely miss a session, but then only give 50%
effort 50% of the time. Now whilst their commitment to attending should be recognised
and rewarded, so should their attitude be added to the equation. Reward
attitude as much as ability.
The
best piece of coaching I ever saw was when Tony Clancy, my junior coach, sent
out our four most inexperienced receivers for the final play of the game, an
extra point in a tied preseason game. That taught me a lesson. It was a perfect
opportunity. We had preached all week that it was preseason and that
performance was more important than result. Those going out there couldn’t lose
the game. But they could win it.
Of
course this is written by and for flag football coaches in the under 16s
league, but what about the rest of you? Does absolutely nothing in this article
ring true? At least ask yourself the question. Have I got the best out of every
player on my squad? Have I given them the opportunity they deserve to show what
they can do?
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