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 4^th 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?