One of the nicest things about living in Montclair is the recreational sports program we have set up. Playing rec is how I learned to love field hockey, and with my parents now in charge of the youth field hockey program, I have the chance to give back and coach young players.
While coaching middle school girls, one of the most technically difficult sports can be trying, it has allowed me to take away lessons that I can apply to my own team and life overall.
One of the first things you realize when coaching young players is that instructions that are clear to one group sound like a foreign language to another. This can definitely get frustrating, especially when the first thing you hear after trying to explain a drill is “Coach Ceci, what are we doing?”
When I first started coaching, this definitely irritated me. But, when I try to think about things from the players’ perspective, I am able to understand their confusion. Instructions as simple as “pull right and pass” could be the biggest ask in the world for someone who is still getting comfortable with the ball on their stick. While I realize that I can’t make a drill that meets the level of each individual player, I now make sure to always answer every question, no matter how many times they have already been asked, to make sure that my whole team feels confident in trying out their skills.
This is something I have implemented with my high school team as well. While everyone on my team can do a pull and pass, they may have more complex questions about positioning or new techniques. After learning the importance of answering all the questions for younger players, I came to the realization that no matter what level you are playing at, being ready to offer advice and answer questions makes a huge difference in the level of confidence that those around you have.
By simply asking “Does anyone want help?” you can show others that it’s ok to be unsure. Then, by actually giving advice, you provide your teammates with a new level of confidence going forward and create a forum to discuss a deeper understanding of the game.
If you’re ever in a position to coach, lead, or even just help someone out, always be willing to answer questions. And even when it feels like you’ve answered the same question a hundred times, answer it again, because to that person, it might just be the time that things finally click.
