Coaches Guide:
New Zealand Football and Raglan Football’s focus is on developing the skills of the player over and above winning games and trophies. We have a separate document covering our responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the players, but apart from that the role of the Coach is as follows:
- Coaching children is as much about providing encouragement and enthusiasm as it is about teaching skills. Investing in a child’s self-belief is essential to getting them to learn new skills and to play creatively during matches. NZF’s philosophy is “Let the game be the teacher” and coaches are encouraged to give less instruction than has been common in the past. This is so that the players can work things out by themselves and achieve a deeper level of learning.
- Equal Game Time. It is club policy that players receive equal game time so that they have equal opportunity to develop skills. They should also receive equal attention from the coach. Apart from the fact that it is a basic right to be treated equally, players are known to develop at different rates and this year’s clumsy and unfocused player may well blossom into a valuable member of the team in a few years’ time.
- While it is important to note that we’re not trying to stop the children from playing in a competitive manner, we do recognise that the competitive urges felt by adults are not always appropriate for children’s sport. Negative criticism and an emphasis on winning at all costs makes the players overly cautious and hinders their development (not to mention spoiling the fun). It can also result in them giving up the game in the long term.
- Coach Training. New Zealand Football provides a free training session for new coaches in Raglan each year. If a new coach can’t attend this session the club can cover petrol costs to Hamilton to help you get there.
- Match etiquette. Please make sure the team does “three-cheers” and lines up to shake the hands of the opposition at the end of the game. We also recommended that you introduce yourself to the opposition coach and discuss the game with them prior to kick off. Agreeing on how closely particular rules are to be followed (i.e. throw-ins) is easier before the game than during it. Please also encourage those on the sideline to model respect for the opposition and the referee.
- Code of Conduct: NZ Football has a published Code of Conduct which covers players, coaches and Below are some of the key points that coaches should promote within their teams:
- Play within the rules;
- Respect team mates;
- Respect the referee;
- Respect the opposition and their supporters;
- Be gracious winners and dignified losers;
- Play hard but play fair.
Full details of the Code can be found at www.nzfootball.co.nz
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