The Coaches' Room
General•Adult•Confidence & Behaviour

Is it normal to ask the manager for a proper feedback chat?

Asked by QuietAwayDay
432 views 6 replies
I don't really speak to our manager unless he speaks to me first. I'd genuinely like to know what he thinks I need to improve, but I'm one of the younger players and don't want it to sound like I'm asking why I'm not being picked. Is it normal in adult football to ask for ten minutes to talk through your game?

VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

Yes. Asking for a short feedback conversation is completely normal, especially if you frame it around improvement rather than selection. Be specific when you ask. Something like, 'Could I grab ten minutes sometime? I'd like to understand what you think I should focus on over the next few weeks' makes the purpose clear. That is very different from cornering the manager after a match and asking why you were not picked. Go in prepared to listen. Ask one or two questions, take the answer away and see whether you can act on it. If you are naturally quiet, this is also a useful step in taking more ownership of your football. Coaches do not always know which players want more detail unless those players tell them. You are not being needy by asking for useful feedback. You are making it easier for the manager to coach you.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 6 replies

M

matt_here

Player-Coach

Player-coach here. The best opening is probably 'what do you want me to focus on?' rather than 'what am I doing wrong?'. Gives the conversation somewhere useful to go.
G

GeorgeAgain

Player-Coach

Agree. And write one or two things down afterwards. Otherwise it's easy to leave the chat remembering only the bit that sounded negative.
T

TwoConesShort

Player

Absolutely ask. Managers aren't mind readers. If you want feedback and never say it, you can end up annoyed that you're not getting something nobody knew you wanted.
A

AnnaH

Player

This. I was terrible at asking when I was younger because I thought it looked insecure. It actually made me more insecure because I filled every gap with my own assumptions.
L

LC94

Parent who also coaches

I'd just avoid doing it straight after selection or a defeat. Ask for ten minutes at a calm time and make the question about what you can improve, not why someone else is ahead of you.
D

Dave82

Parent

As a parent, I'd see asking for feedback as a positive sign at 20. Much better than guessing what the manager thinks for six months and building a story around it.

YOU MAY ALSO FIND THESE HELPFUL

HAVE A QUESTION TOO?

Ask about your own situation.