Season Planning and Motivation

Since we have been on the theme of motivation, I thought it might be helpful to look at it from a larger perspective.

Wherever you are in your season - just starting out, in the middle or in off-season planning mode like me - it is always nice to have a checklist to see where you are and what things might have escaped you while you are competing.

Here is a possible "blueprint" or outline for a typical soccer season from a coaches point of view. This example is for competitive teams, although I believe portions of it could be adapted to younger ages ...

"Off-Season"
Planning

Pre-Season
Tryout
Team Selection
Pre Season Training
1st match

Season
Match Evaluation
Training
Match
Repeat

Post Season

End of Season Feedback
Team
Player
Coach
Program (if applicable)

Banquet

"Off-Season"
Planning

Each area is "blocked" because it is kind of its own thing or cycle within the season.

The larger cycle is basically:
Plan → Season → Plan

A few smaller cycles of note are:
Pre Season → Season → Post Season → Feedback
Match → Match Analysis → Training → Match

What does this have to do with motivation?

If you just go about your business in the above structure, you will most likely increase your chances of having a nicely planned season but you will not have the best season possible.

Chances are players may still default to confusion and motivation may slowly erode.

That is because during your season the players want to play in games. They also want to improve so that they can either keep playing or play more than they are currently. At the very least, they want to know where they stand and how to get where they want.

Here is a key, smaller cycle to be added within the season:

Clear Expectations → Actions → Constructive Feedback & Teaching → Improved Actions

If you can add this cycle into the larger one where it makes the most sense and consistently, your players motivation, abilities and experience will improve ... almost guaranteed.

And in my view, it is the area where a coaches effectiveness is judged.

All the Best,

Randy
www.soundsoccer.com

P.S. As always, your comments on this tip are welcome, just hit "reply". Also, please feel free to forward this on to those who might be interested.

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