Coaching
Corner: Dignity
and Respect
By
Joe Bean and Layton Shoemaker
(from the NSCAA Coaching Newsletter - June 22nd, 2005)
In past issues, the Coaching Corner has placed an emphasis on X's and O's and drills. This issue, we step outside that realm and share a section from The Soccer Coaching Bible, published by Human Kinetics. It comes from Chapter 2: Competing with Class. For information on how to order a copy of The Soccer Coaching Bible, CLICK HERE.
Treating Opponents with Dignity and Respect
The vast majority of coaches respect their opponents, but the rub comes when they are expected to treat their opponents with dignity. What does that term really mean when applied to coaching against another team? Does dignity imply we are to be condescending or play soft in our games? That is something we as coaches would never want.
Actually, the two terms coincide with most coaching philosophies. If you respect at team, you will play them hard, fair and within the rules. Thus, dignity enters into the picture. Dignity will show through the esteem your team has for the opponent. Shirt pulling, tackling from behind, unnecessary delay tactics and other forms of gamesmanship will not surface during the game.
There are great rivalries at all levels of the game in which teams fight tooth and nail from start to finish. Yet at the end of the game, they not only shake hands, they embrace each other. Think of when Army plays Navy. These teams respect each other to the utmost. They play the game for all its worth but honor the traditions of the rivalry. They meet at midfield, embrace each other and proceed to face the attending cadets and midshipmen to sing their respective alma maters. This wonderful display of sportsmanship and mutual respect is a model for coaches looking for ways to instill tradition and class into their team and league.
Treating Officials with Dignity and Respect
This aspect of a coach’s responsibility is often overlooked. First, remember that the game can’t be played without officials. Admittedly, there a range of proficiency among the officiating fraternity, and some games will be affected by an official’s lack of correct decision-making or knowledge of the rules. However, the coach must set the tone before, during and after the game to ensure that the officials are treated with deference. If they don’t set the tone, the team might show a lack of respect for the officials and the game will deteriorate.
If an official is either unprepared to work a game or shows the inability to handle a game properly, it should be brought to his attention after the game in a calm, constructive manner. The coach needs to keep in mind that the game is over. No matter how frustrating the game might have been, it won’t be replayed. The coach needs to keep in mind that this official might benefit from some honest constructive critiquing of his performance. If the criticism is communicated in a non-threatening, civil manner, free of profane language, it can benefit your team and the game in the future. Coaches have tried this, and it works. Recognizing that you’re dealing with another human being, not just someone in a striped shirt, makes all the difference.
Treat officials as you want to be treated. If you do, the game is the winner. All coaches recognize that there’s a shortage of officials. We must be grateful for those we do have and do our part to help develop more and better ones.
Influencing Positive Spectator Conduct
As soccer grow in popularity in the United States,
teams need to attend to the fans that support the team, both home and away.
The coach becomes an important element in the proper conduct of spectators.
Of course, the administration of the game should provide game-management
restraints, including fencing, ropes or stands to keep fans from interfering
with play. The coach, however, needs to address any problems with the
administration if the facilities available for games are not up to proper
standard or fail to provide game safety.
A spectator statement of conduct should be read over
the public address system or printed in the game program before every game.
Proper security personnel should be on hand to ensure that any unruly or
overly exuberant fans are controlled. All coaches would like to see as much
support for their team as possible. They can plan ahead by developing
student sections for seating and even organize a sale of team scarves or
caps and other positive ways to show support.
Web Administrator Ken Gamble