Category: Coaching & Leadership
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The #1 way to excel as a coach/leader
As part of the attendance to every class I teach, I like to ask a thought-provoking question that students reflect upon. Reflection is one of the most valuable assets a coach can possess, as it allows them to continuously refine and rethink their practices for the better. One of my favourite questions to ask when…
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Essential traits of successful coaches and leaders
Truth be told, there are millions of checklist items that help to form a successful coach, mentor, or leader. But at the bare bones of it all, successful leadership ultimately comes down to a focus on social relationships.
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Attention to detail when coaching at the elite level
While coaching ideologies can generally apply across a myriad of ages and abilities, there are a few distinct differences. This includes:1. A greater attention to detail at the high-performance level. 2. A greater attention to position-specific training. 3. More complexity when adapting activities to add challenge/intensity
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Coaching high-performance athletes
abilities, there are a few distinct differences. This includes: A greater attention to detail at the high-performance level. A greater attention to position-specific training. More complexity when adapting activities to add challenge/intensity. Let’s break this down!
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Building logical session flow & implementing rewards
Today I returned to the classroom for my Coaching & Leadership course for eighty+ undergraduate students. For the first class of the new semester, I facilitated a European Handball session on ‘switching play’, which is a session plan I’ve done plenty of times in the soccer world. Here were some of the key reflections…
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Why games-based learning leads to more long-term gains
As coaches, the vast majority of us want what is best for our athletes. But there still exists a never-ending divide between what is deemed more valuable by the standards of today, as opposed to the ways coaches learned in the past. Modern-day coaches will emphasize fun and enjoyment through games, and old-school coaches will…
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The power of reframing negative thoughts
As the self-conscious individuals that we are, it’s impossible to go an entire day with zero negative thoughts entering the mind. Despite the difficulty of that task, I used to subscribe to a ‘no-negativity’ mindset. It’s incredibly important to always think on the bright side and come up with the positives in any situation, but…
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How to coach with positive psychology
The days of yelling at players for not making it to first base are over! Or at least, they should be. Coaching has changed dramatically over the past twenty years.
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Games-based learning for optimal athlete development
Across the past decade or so, we’ve seen a massive shift in youth athlete development toward a games-based, game-realistic approach to training. If I die on one coaching hill, it would be within my proclamation that this is the most optimal way for training athletes toward what practice is generally for – the game itself.
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Understanding the five corner model for athlete development & performance
As coaches, we must recognize that players have an array of qualities that make them unique on the pitch. We must also recognize that each of these unique pillars need to be paid attention to with dedicated attention and care
Rhys Desmond 