How does ecological dynamics translate or what does it mean for grassroot or age grade coaches? How can we as coaches introduce some of these ideas in our daily practice? What small steps or initial ideas can we introduce to allow our athletes to explore and find new information, ideas or techniques to overcome task, environmental or individual constraints?

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, managers at the highest level, still address some key areas around coach-athlete relationships, which includes ensuring the players are enjoying the game while technically developing the individuals but show immense pride in being involved in the development of people as opposed to solely players which all comes back to understanding whom is standing in front of you. Drawing upon a previous blog article, let’s focus on how we’re coaching as opposed to what we are coaching; how can we adjust our focus to the how and to whom we coach, rather than the specific content or focusing solely on the what aspects such as technical, tactical and strategic aspects?

Getting out and about with some age grade coaches recently led me to ask some interesting questions; are we creating environments create better people as well as better players? Are we allowing them to express themselves, try and fail in many scenarios to develop creativity and commitment to their own development? Are we creating psychologically safe environments to explore and test skills for both on and off the field? Are we as coaches committed to creating passionate artists, willing to explore and test their ideas and skills, or conforming programmers, focused on the perceived correct ideas and techniques, offering standard outcomes with minimal risk?

AFL is back!! Aussie Rules Footy has been in heavy focus over the past few weeks; with the release of “Making Their Mark” earlier this month, it brought back focus to one of Australia’s top team sports in time for AFL’s Round 1 over the weekend. Something I enjoyed from the documentary, which may not surprise you, was the contrasting coaching styles between clubs. Couple in particular really stood out for me; Damien Hardwick of Richmond and Matthew Nicks of Adelaide Crows. During the series, I looked at the differences and eventual similarities of the coaching styles.

How can mentorship or better understanding yourself allow you to be more attuned to your athletes needs or help you create a player led environment? What techniques or critical friends can you welcome into personal reflection of yourself and your methodologies to better serve the needs of your athletes? Identifying and approaching a mentor or critical friend to reflect and review your coaching methodologies may be a great new or next step for your coaching development. Developing strong athlete relationships needs to be continually addressed and worked on, understanding people, personalities and environments shall change. Through personal reflection, be willing to change ideas or structures to match what your athletes or players need today and be reflective and flexible to change to what they need tomorrow and in future.