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General•Adult•Squad Management

How do you help younger teammates without turning into the bloke coaching everyone?

Asked by NoFancyBoots
2663 views 5 replies
I've played adult football for years and sometimes I can see a problem before a younger player does. I want to help, but I also know nobody wants a teammate giving a coaching lecture every stoppage. Where's the line between useful experience and becoming annoying?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

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@CoachJulienMoreau

UEFA A Coach

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The line is usually whether the information helps the teammate solve the next moment or turns into a running commentary on their game. If you see something useful, keep it short and specific. 'Check your shoulder earlier' or 'stay inside me when we lose it' is easier to use than explaining the whole situation while the match is moving. Also choose your moments. A younger player who has just made a mistake may need support first and detail later. Ask whether they want the information rather than assuming they do. Your experience is valuable, but you are still a teammate. That means your own performance and relationships matter as much as the advice. If you find yourself giving the same coaching point repeatedly, that may be something to mention to the manager rather than taking responsibility for fixing it yourself. Help where you can, then let people play.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 5 replies

T

TeaFirst82

Coach

If an experienced player keeps seeing the same issue, tell the coach once. Don't take over the job of correcting it every five minutes.
A

aisha_uk

Coach

Yes. Otherwise the younger player ends up with two coaches and one of them is also supposed to be their teammate. That can get confusing fast.
A

AnnaB

Player-Coach

I think timing matters more than how much you know. A useful point at half-time can help. The same point shouted while someone is already annoyed with themselves usually lands badly.
D

DN_72

Player-Coach

Player-coach problem all over. I try to ask first now: 'Do you want something on that?' If they say no, fair enough. Saves me becoming the bloke giving a debrief after every pass.
M

Mike

Coach

And keep some of it as encouragement. Experienced players sometimes only speak when correcting. A quick 'good idea' probably helps more than another technical point.

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