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11v11U17Coach Development

Player-coach problem: I see the game better from the pitch but coach it worse

Asked by OldVolvo2
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I am still playing and managing. From midfield I can feel where the spaces are, but I also end up giving instructions constantly and miss what is happening behind me. When I come off, I can coach the game much better. Has anyone found a sensible way to separate the player and coach roles without giving up playing completely?

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11v11 matchday • performance

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I’d build a second pair of eyes around you. If you are player-coach, you cannot see the whole game while you are inside it. Accepting that is more useful than trying to coach everything from midfield. Give an assistant or trusted substitute two or three things to watch from the side: distance between units, what the opposition are changing, and any problem developing behind you. Then agree how they will communicate it. Half-time is obvious, but a quick message during a stoppage can work if it is concise. On the pitch, I would reduce your coaching to information that helps the players around you. Avoid trying to manage the whole team while also doing your own job. You might also choose certain matches or periods where you start on the side if the coaching need is greater. Being player-coach is a compromise. The solution is sharing observation, not pretending you can have the same view from centre midfield as from the technical area.

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