| Bringing out the Best in your Players | | | | just talking about them seemed to make all the |
| The most important issue at hand when coaching any | | | | difference. |
| sport is how to get the most out of your players, both | | | | The Innovation Proclamation |
| on the field and off. In order to bring out the best in | | | | Another important aspect of a successful field hockey |
| your players, coaches have to build a strong | | | | coaching program is innovation. Player adore being |
| relationship with their players though communication, | | | | challenged and having their boundaries pushed, and the |
| innovation, and leadership. Feel free to apply any of the | | | | only way you as a coach are able to do so is by |
| following tips or suggestions to your field hockey | | | | keeping them interested and engaged. If you continue |
| coaching program. | | | | to run the same four drills at every practice, your |
| Communication is Key | | | | players' attention will waver. By constantly shifting and |
| When implementing a field hockey coaching strategy, | | | | changing your practice routine, you will keep players on |
| always remember that communication between | | | | their toes and constantly wondering where you will go |
| players and yourself is the most crucial aspect of | | | | next. |
| maintaining a steady relationship. Not all players | | | | Try something unorthodox at your next practice such |
| express themselves in the same manner, so in order | | | | as a game of freeze tag instead of running laps for |
| to understand each player on your team you will need | | | | warm-ups or borrow some equipment and drills from |
| to speak to them individually as well as in a group | | | | the football or rugby teams. Also try sitting your team |
| setting. | | | | down and ask where they need help most and come |
| For example, during last year's field hockey season | | | | up with a plan together on how to address your |
| one of my star players began to falter midway though | | | | team's strengths and weaknesses by working |
| the season. She missed a few practices but was | | | | together. |
| always very apologetic about it. When she did attend | | | | Lastly, all coaches require leadership skills in order to |
| practices or games her eyelids drooped and she was | | | | be a role model for their players to look up to. If you |
| barely paying attention to the play. After a week or so | | | | do not command a certain degree of leadership, you |
| of this behavior I took her aside and asked if | | | | will never gain the respect of your players, which is a |
| everything was alright at home or at school. | | | | necessary thing if you want to be able to lead your |
| She refused to admit it at the time but came to me in | | | | team to victory upon victory. Leadership requires a |
| my office later that afternoon to admit her | | | | great deal of patience, because you have to be able |
| grandmother was dying. Had I not been open to | | | | to read each individual member of your team in order |
| communication with this player, she might never have | | | | to make sure their needs are being met and they are |
| been able to come to me with her problems. Even | | | | understanding and implementing the new information at |
| though we weren't able to resolve all her problems, | | | | each practice and pre-game huddle. |