Keeping our mind on the Job …
Commitment, concentration, communication, composure & control, the five C’s.
Communication has been selected first to talk about, as it’s the most pressing problem the Cougars are having at this stage of the football season.
In a previous post I stressed the importance of the 5 C’s in successful footy teams.
Most players get sick and tired of their coaches and team-mates harping on about ‘talking more’ before, during and after games.
However, there are some players who don’t seem to understand what effective communication is during training and when playing.
Effective communication comes in two forms verbal and non-verbal or body language and this applies to most competitive sports.
Verbal communication is demonstrated by a player whose instruction at training and playing is clear and direct and you know he’s there to protect you and give you the confidence to succeed.
An example of good verbal communication is demonstrated by a player who ‘calls’ and makes positive ‘full blooded’ leads towards his team-mates to gain possession of the ball.
Non-verbal communication signifies a player who makes a half-hearted lead towards the boundary waving one arm in the air signifying ‘Don’t kick it to me!’
Half-hearted leads, with no verbal communication, denies the player kicking the ball the confidence to hit the target and usually puts his team-mates out of position.
Communication when training:
There is an old saying, ‘How you train is how you play’ and from experience this phrase is true.
Helping team-mates at training to improve their skills lifts the quality and tempo of the group effort. This is achieved through encouragement when players succeed and when mistakes occur.
Most players recognize, that when a training exercise is being performed poorly, you can almost bet on the fact that its being done without anyone showing any enthusiasm which leads to mistakes.
Occasionally the coaching staff will suggest an exercise that is difficult however if everyone shows enthusiasm and takes on the task with a positive attitude the difficulties disappear.
The positive and enthusiastic attitude of a team who train and communicate well is carried on to the field on match days.
Note: players who are not selected or who are injured should position themselves around the boundary on match days to encourage their team-mates instead of standing around the coach’s box.
I have been asked to publish the remaining elements of the 5 C’s, commitment, concentration, composure and control and will do so in ‘This week’s topic’ found in the menu section in coming weeks. Your opinion and point of view would be welcome.
This post is dedicated to Modern Motor Trimmers proud sponsors of the Kalamunda ‘Cougars’ Football Club
Unit 2/12 Adrian Street Welshpool WA 6106 Telephone: (08) 9361 7646
https://www.mmtirsi.com.au
