Facing The Elements – Part Two

Written By Rebecca Garlick, FA Skills Coach and reproduced from TheFA.Com

Standing in the 0°C temperatures last night as the hail blew against my face, it got me thinking about one of the key qualities coaches must hold, particularly with such varying weather conditions experienced in this country.

I’m sure we’ll all have been there; we plan what we expect will be a world-class session expecting the weather to hold out for just one more week so that hopefully the whole team might just turn up. Instead, we turn up in the freezing cold weather, with five of the hardcore players willing to give it a go, but somehow three of them forgot to pick their coat up as they ran out of the door. Just as things can’t get any worse, the heavens open and the hailstones start hitting you from all angles, which just so happens, (along with the gale force winds that have just picked up) to send the kids a bit wild.

At this moment, we must ask ourselves: what is the one thing that will keep the players a) warm and b) motivated for the next hour?

The first thing I would suggest is putting them into matches as they arrive. Have a small-sided pitch set up and as they enter the session, create a 1v1/2v1/3v2 situation. Matches get the players moving. Let’s face it, it’s usually the first thing our players ask for when they arrive at a session, so we know that they’re definitely going to be motivated as well. In addition to this, it will allow for some learning to take place, even if it is simply a case of ‘self-learning’ or ‘trial and error’ (i.e. a player tries a trick to take it past a player but it doesn’t work.)

Putting the players in a match also allows the coach to step back and consider the objectives of the session. This is where a key quality in our coaching toolbox comes into play: adaptability.

Thinking back to the original question: is the session going to keep the kids motivated and warm in the conditions? If the answer is ‘no’, then it’s time to consider alternatives.

The learning objective may stay the same, but instead, adapt the session so that there are minimal stoppages throughout the duration of the practice.

For example, if the session theme is ‘utilising space to maintain possession’ you may adapt the plan to coach within the game. Rather than having different activities one after another that take several minutes to set up and explain, keep the players in a game situation, but add in various conditions that will help me bring out the idea of ‘creating space’ within the game.

Suggested ideas:

- Make the pitch wider to encourage players to use width of pitch

- 4 goal game: each team has two goals to attack – this will encourage players to recognise when and where to attack

- Challenge players to ‘try’ and receive the ball in as much space as possible

- Add in grids on the pitch and encourage players to receive in an empty grid

Top 5 Tips for keeping players warm and motivated when coaching in poor weather:

• 1) Warm clothing is vital – make sure both players and parents are aware that it is vital for them to come to the session in the appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
• 2) Maximum involvement – when working with young players (5-11) try not to have more than 4v4 on one pitch. The players will have more touches on the ball, the smaller sided the game is.
• 3) Limited stoppages – Avoid players having to stand around for long periods, by keeping them in small sided games. Conditions/transitions can usually be made whilst the game is still taking place. Also, if you do need to make a valid coaching point, make sure it’s concise rather than a lecture.
• 4) Adaptability is key – just because you’ve planned a world class session, it doesn’t mean it is going to work in these extreme conditions. Be sensible and think about what the kids need: warmth and motivation. Can the ‘world class’ session where lots of learning takes place be saved for another week?
• 5) Is learning taking place?– these aren’t the most ideal learning conditions by any means, but if you have put on a game/practice that has enabled each player to learn at least one thing, then you have done your job. Even if it is that they’ve learned to bring a coat next time!