The ways of training and communicating with players have been evolving. The search for maximum sporting performance has banished methods in which players were treated like robots, in favor of others in which they are given freedom of action, in which decision-making and the development of intelligence are encouraged.
What has not been worked on in seven days can hardly be achieved in ninety minutes. For this reason, it is almost impossible to achieve what is desired no matter how much a coach from the sidelines gives instructions or directs as if he were playing a game in a video game.
In order for the players to do what the coach proposes, it is always more advisable to convince than to impose. The player who plays under impositions, pressure, fear, etc. will never be able to perform one hundred percent. Negative language, on the other hand, sometimes leads to mental blocks. If a striker is told “how bad you are” every time he misses a goal and is reprimanded, it is more than likely that he will end up creating a limiting barrier. Every time you go to shoot on goal, the first thought that comes to mind is the coach reproaching you if you miss, that is, that you are going to miss because you are very bad, etc... the result will surely be that you will not score a goal.
When this negative language becomes internal verbalization (the player ends up thinking that he is bad, he is useless) it will affect performance, since negative thoughts affect feelings and these affect actions. Behaviors are influenced by thoughts.
Language affects self-esteem, self-worth and self-confidence, which in turn affect motivation. The deficit in these factors produces lack of concentration, stress, and anxiety. The coach directly influences all of them, for better or worse.
Language and communication between the coach and the players is essential in the pursuit of sporting excellence. For this reason, it is often necessary for the sports coaching process to begin with the coach himself, rather than in the group.
Let's divide the coach-player communication into five scenarios:
- Training
- Pre-match
- During the match
- Rest
- Post match
TRAINING
During training is when the coach should talk the most. Always trying to use positive language. Clear and brief explanations. Correcting and encouraging when mistakes are made. Long explanations lead to the loss of concentration of the recipients (players) and the giving of more information, information that is unnecessary for the intended purpose.
PREMATCH
Before the game we have to briefly remember what we have worked on during the week, what we are trying to achieve. The tactical talk should be brief, the work is already done during the week. The pre-match talk should be mainly motivational.
DURING THE MATCH
During the games you should reflect what you have worked on during the week, you cannot ask for more or less. In today's football, decision-making must be encouraged in the player from an early age, so it is convenient that during the games the players are the ones who decide and the coach communicates with them with two primary objectives:
- Correct positioning or modify them
- Encourage/Motivate
REST
If in 90 minutes it is impossible to achieve what we have not worked on in seven days, in fifteen minutes less. If we seek to get the most out of the group, these minutes should be used for positive and motivational reinforcement. There are many theories, some defend that you should take advantage of those minutes one hundred percent. Personally I consider that it should be divided into 4 phases.
A first real rest, in which the players rehydrate, lower their heart rate, and in which they try not to talk at all about the game. They are in a physical state in which everything is magnified for the better (if the team is winning), and for the worse (if the team is losing). Therefore, 3-5 minutes of absolute rest is advisable.
A second phase to highlight the positive aspects. Whether you win or lose, there will always be something that is being done well or in accordance with what has been worked. If the team is winning it serves to make the group aware that they must continue doing that work. If the team is losing, it acts as positive reinforcement, as a starting point to continue improving.
A third phase to correct the negative aspects. Always with positive vocabulary, and referring to the group. We correct tactical errors, technical errors do not make sense to be corrected at that moment. As always, explanations must be brief and clear.
A fourth phase that we use to motivate the team.
POST MATCH
This talk would be similar in structure to the one offered during the break. Some coaches prefer to give it after the shower, others on the bus and others in the first training session after the game. There are coaches who only give the talk when they win. Others only when they lose.
The ideal is when the team is calm, after the game the feelings for better or worse are magnified. If you decide to give after the shower or on the bus, you should start with what was done well, then comment on the mistakes we have made and finally motivate ourselves for the work that must continue to be done. Personally, I consider it a good tactic to try not to talk about it once the game is over, it is the way to end it. And during the week reinforce and correct what has been seen in it. Don't say anything, win or lose. But whatever option is chosen, use positive language.