Koaching Tip # 2 - Observation

We can't use video cameras to analyse our junior games like the pros, but the camera is simply a tool to aid the coach in one of his/her prime functions - OBSERVATION. Unless you can quantify what's really going wrong, you can't correct it. A simple observation method is to keep a stroke count of particular activities. Recently, I did this whilst watching a Colleges team which spent the whole of the first 30 minutes camped in their opponents' half but only managed to score once.

I counted the number of throw-ins awarded to the Colleges team. There were 18 in all which means that the team had 18 opportunities to start on attack. However, they kept possession from these throw-ins on only 3 occasions. Stroke counts can be kept by anyone watching - the coach, the manager or a parent. They can be used for any same activity and some examples are:

• The number of times each player touches the ball
• How many accurate passes by individual players
• How many shots on target/off target

This simple observation method helps the coach to decide what to coach at the next training session.

More tips to come so be sure to watch this space! Or you can email your suggestions here

Happy coaching. Keith