This latest post arises from some thoughts I exchanged with a coaching colleague on Twitter a couple of weeks ago (follow him on @coachbanter – and please also consider following @coachingfamily to exchange coaching ideas).
The original point arose from a question about “non-competitive” sports days and whether or not, as a nation, we develop ‘tough’ individuals.
The question itself comes from a point made in a
Telegraph article on the role of Dan Ashworth, the FA’s recently appointed
Director of Elite Development , which you can read here .
SO, WHAT IS
“WINNING”?
This appears, on the face of it, to be a facile question. Surely, it is
the team which, at the end of the period, has scored more goals than the other.
Possibly.
However, we now have available a plethora of statistics on all
aspects of the game from a variety of sources and which are provided for us, especially
at the top levels of the game, on TV and in match day programmes.
ARE THERE
DIFFERENT WAYS TO DEFINE “WINNING”?
My previous blog post suggested that the number of goals scored in a game
is a relatively
infrequent occurrence in the game anyway compared to the number and type of
passes, controlling touches, decisions, throws, saves, tackles, headers and so
on.
KEY
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
In all forward looking enterprises, statistical analysis forms a
significant pillar of measurement by which to judge progress.
This may range
from profit and loss and the balance sheet of a business to departmental
productivity targets and individual personal performance against agreed
targets, usually at annual appraisal time.
Within this outline structure, there are clearly individual
opportunities to succeed (win) against your individual targets even though the
company targets may not necessarily be fully met over, say, a financial
quarter.
So, then, what actions in the game can we measure to help re-define
achievement that doesn’t rely purely on the final score?
Clearly there is a multitude, some of which are listed here and I am
sure you can think of some others to add to the list:
- Shots – On / Off Target
- Assists (final pass leading to a goal)
- Entries into the final third (NB ‘Reacher’ – An ‘entry’ is a considered, creative act, a ‘reacher’ is an, often, long kick into a forward area of the field, in the hope that one of your players will reach it before the opponent)
- Completed passes
- Forward passes
- Sideways passes
- Backwards passes
- Diagonal passes
- 1-2s / Wall passes
- Successful turns
- Successful dribbles
- Retained the ball in a 1v1
- No of touches per possession
- Times played out from the back
- Possessions progressed through the thirds of the pitch
- How many members your club has
- How many members are retained every year/season
- How many new members are recruited every year/season
- How many members leave each year….and why?
Etc., etc.
However, please consider:
·
WHY you are collecting information.
· WHAT information is relevant to your club development
plan/playing style/INDIVIDUAL player development
· HOW you will use the data (developing practices, recruitment / retention strategies to
improve)
See this interesting video on You Tube form Mark Upton (Australian Rules
Football Coach @uppy01 )
on one way of using KPIs in a sport environment.
IS WINNING
MORE FUN?
So then the conversation moved to the question of whether or not it is
more fun when players / teams win.
We rallied back and forth on finding the balance of fun and enjoyment,
allowing everyone to participate and develop their skills.
We discussed the
potential of a ruthless desire to win (A la Woods, Warne, Schumacher) and
whilst that is probably true for those striving to achieve truly elite or top
level professional sport, all other performers can raise their level of ability
through attention to detail, desire to improve and with supportive coaching.
Also, we must take account of the place of the game in the players’ life
landscape; are they keen to play but see the game as an enjoyable past-time, or
are they striving to become a professional, or somewhere in between?
Anecdotally, the ‘will to win’ can the difference between good players
remaining ‘good’ and less competent players 'making it', through increased
desire and application.
Whilst it may be
in vogue to say "it's all about development", as coaches,
surely we are absolutely concerned with development – development of the
individual and of the team (though the team’s individuals may change over the
seasons).
But what are we developing towards?
Style,
competency, game understanding, ball mastery, expertise… winning? That
development may take years but ‘winning’ is ultimately a natural outcome of
good development, I believe.
RE-DEFINING “WINNING”
So I think
it is important that we begin to look at how we define “winning”.
If we take
individual or team targets (which should be AGREED with the player / team,
not just ‘set’ by the coach) based upon improving measureable actions within a
game or on the practice field and arrived at through analysis that helps our
playing style or player competence.
Players can
then begin to experience a sense of achievement and to build self-esteem as
they see they can attain agreed, yet stretching, targets. It also helps to
develop a growth mindset as they find that the more they practice with intent
to improve, the better they will become – a valuable life skill.
HAS “WINNING” BECOME A DIRTY WORD?
So, no, I don't
think winning has become a dirty word. I think it is a natural consequence of
appropriate development...….and all of
competence, determination, development, mastery, practice and style come before
"winning" in the dictionary!
You may be
interested in this article Winning:How Important is it in Youth Sports (taken from the www.footy4kids.co.uk website).
Please feel free to leave comments.
