Philosophy of Coaching

 Cooperative style
 Player first
 Family environment
 Expectations

My coaching philosophy is based on using a cooperative style of coaching to create a

culture of respect, relationships, and development. My player expectations for communication,

coachability, and a positive attitude help cultivate a family environment so that players support

each other. My main goal is player development and ensuring every player gets playing time to

be able to develop. Most importantly, players should enjoy the game they love while also

learning new skills that can be used on and off the field.

I believe in using a cooperative style of coaching because it can encourage

communication between the players and the coach, and every player has a voice that they should

get to use on the team. Players can learn from other players, and probably learn more from each

other than their coach. It should not be me giving instructions and directing every move a player

makes the entire time during a training session or a game, like the commanding style of

coaching. Players should have the ability to make some decisions on their own and I can step in

to give feedback. I believe this approach allows players to take ownership of their roles on the

team and promotes a sense of responsibility for their decisions and actions they make on the

field. Of course, there will be a formation and general game strategy, but I am not going to draw

up every single play because players should have creative freedom. It should be as much of the

player’s game as it is a coach’s game. This means that there should be a collaboration between

the coach and the players, hence a collaborative style of coaching. However, there are moments
when a commanding approach might be necessary, and players need more direction and

instruction during training or a game. A balance between the two styles and knowing when to

use which style is crucial.

I see the team as a family. To cultivate a family environment respect and trust need to be

earned for relationships to be built. I highly value respect, so there should be mutual respect

between me and the players. I want players to trust their teammates will have their back and to

make a last second recovery run if needed. The players and I should also show respect to

referees. The club’s motto that I currently coach at is One Club, One Family. Not only does my

individual team have each other’s backs, so does every team, coach, and staff member in the

club.

I believe in athletes first, winning second. My main objective as a coach is development,

and that does not always result in immediate wins for the team. I like the saying, “I will win. Not

immediately, but definitely,” because it sums up my philosophy on the long-term benefits of

developing players to be able to win and is a reminder that things take time. It takes off the

pressure of winning and can help players focus on bettering their skills first. Players should get

equal playing time because if they are not playing, then they are not developing. I want to

develop great players on the field while also developing great people off the field. I will provide

the players with tools and skills that they can use to be successful in every part of their life, such

as self-confidence and cooperation. The players will learn how to effectively communicate and

work as a team, which are skills that can translate to other parts of their lives.

In addition to respect, I always tell players that I expect three things from them. I expect

them to have coachability, to communicate, and to have a positive attitude. They should arrive at
training and games and greet me and all their teammates. I believe a positive attitude is

contagious. It is a two-way street though because if one player had a negative attitude it could

impact every player negatively. This is why I stress having a positive attitude. Players should

respond to feedback given to them and show that they are trying implement it into their game. I

expect players to communicate with me, to each other, and to their parents. These three things

help create a family environment and eventually a winning culture. My collaborative style of

coaching allows this to be possible.

All in all, it all comes down to using a cooperative style of coaching. I aim to create a

family environment that will support the development of each player. The expectations are high,

but I believe athletes need those expectations to thrive and develop. Most importantly, players

should have fun playing the game that they love. If there is a positive environment, players will

be more motivated to play. I as a coach need to lead by example and model all my expectations

that I have for the players. If they see my respect, communication, positive attitude, and passion

for the game, then they are more likely to reciprocate those behaviors.