It's that simple. Good coaches are open to learn anything from anybody. From other coaches (good or bad), players, parents, teachers ... you know where I'm going. If you are competitive, then you will always have your ears and eyes open for as much information as you can gather.
This weekend, I am attending the annual workshop the Ontario Soccer Association holds for its Learning Facilitators. We review new techniques for teaching, share ideas and get new information to pass on to coaches.
Why involve yourself in formal coaching education?
- To learn how to convert your own soccer knowledge and experience into teaching situations for players to learn
- To gain new ideas on how to organize practices
- To improve your ability to coach by learning new methods of teaching
- To share experiences with other coaches and collectively walk away with more information
- To expand your personal network of coaches. This will come in handy more than you can imagine
- To deepen your level of being soccer literate, speaking the language
- To realize that you do have a lot to learn, like all coaches.
It's simple. If Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini can go listen to another coach speak and take notes ... so can you.
I've had coaches tell me straight to my face "I don't need those courses, it's not that hard." Oh, OK.
Any experienced coach will tell you that courses are informative, social and very enjoyable. I've made lifelong friends and am part of a great support network as a direct result of my education.
Your education should not only involve formal courses. You can also go observe demonstration sessions, sessions being run by an exemplary coach or even personal reading. You also need to choose educational avenues that match the team you are currently coaching.
Coaching education has been a positive experience for me. This is a list of the formal courses that I have taken:
- NCCP Level 1 Theory - May 1988
- OSA Level 1 Technical - April 1990
- NCCP Level 2 Theory - April 1991
- OSA Level 2 Technical - April 1991
- OSA Level 3 Technical - May 1991
- NCCP Level 3 Theory - February 2004
- OSA Pre-B Assessment - September 2003
- OSA Provincial B License - September 2004
- CSA National B License - May 2006
- CSA A-License - May 2009
- Admission to Ontario College of Teachers - May 2011
- NCCP Making Ethical Decisions - April 2011
It's seems that the more you learn you realize you have more to learn. That's a good thing.
Check out the education begin hosted by the soccer governing body in your area. If you live in my area check out:
http://soccer.on.ca
http://canadasoccer.com
http://www.nyswysa.org
