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General•Adult•Squad Management

I'm helping younger teammates so much that I sometimes forget my own game

Asked by Hannah27
524 views 6 replies
I'm one of the more experienced midfielders in our side and I naturally talk younger players through matches. I like that responsibility, but there are games where I realise I've spent half the time organising everyone else and stopped demanding the ball myself. How do you lead without becoming an extra coach on the pitch?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

Verified Coach avatar

@CoachJulienMoreau

UEFA A Coach

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Leadership should support your performance, not replace it. Before the match, decide what your team genuinely needs from you. If one younger midfielder benefits from a few reminders, give them. But you do not need to solve every teammate's positioning while the game is moving. Keep your communication short and then return your attention to your own next action. A useful habit is to ask yourself, 'Where am I in this picture?' after you have helped someone else. You can also share responsibility. Encourage other experienced players to communicate so you are not carrying the whole team socially as well as tactically. Being a leader does not mean becoming the coach on the pitch. Your biggest influence may still be playing your own role well, demanding the ball and setting the standard through your decisions. Help people, but do not disappear from your own game while doing it.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 6 replies

A

AnnaB

Player-Coach

I'd also share it around. If there are three experienced players, there is no reason one person becomes unofficial assistant manager every Saturday.
A

AnnaH

Player

Sometimes the best leadership is just demanding the ball and playing well yourself. Younger players watch that too. You don't have to spend the whole game narrating it for them.
A

aisha_uk

Coach

That's what I'd want. Experienced players helping the environment, but not carrying responsibility for fixing everyone. Your own performance still has to be the main thing.
D

DN_72

Player-Coach

Player-coach here. I try to separate 'information' from 'instruction'. If a younger teammate needs to know there's a runner, say it. If I'm about to give them a mini coaching point during open play, probably leave it.
S

sophie_p

Player-Coach

This. If you're constantly telling people how to solve it, they can start waiting for you. A quick cue is enough. Let them make the next decision.
S

ShinpadPocket

Player

I'm the utility one in our side and I've had this. You end up solving everyone else's problems because you can see them, then realise you haven't checked your own position for thirty seconds.

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