Magazine

The Boot Room Issue 15
April 2016
42 | 43
Q. Why is it important to include player
feedback in our coach reflection?
It may be fairly obvious why you would want feedback
from the players whom you coach, but how often do
we actually take the opportunity to ask and record such
feedback? In many ways, this is the most crucial piece
of feedback a coach could have. It is the equivalent of a
hotel asking their guests if they have enjoyed their stay
or asking a restaurant goer if they have been satisfied
with the meal and table service. As football coaches, we
are in the business of helping players fall in love with
the game and remain in love with the game. Part of this
process has to involve the feedback from the players -
after all it is their game.
Players, especially children, will quite often be honest
and to the point when asked what they think. As
coaches we just have to be brave enough to ask and
to listen to the feedback - especially if it is somewhat
critical. In some respects the comments from the
players may confirm what you already know or it may
have the opposite effect and surprise you. Either way,
it is priceless information that will assist you on your
coaching journey.
ASK THE
PLAYERS
FA County Coach Developer, Matt Jones, discusses the benefits
of including player feedback within the reflective process.
In the past I have asked players “what did you like
about the session?” and ”have you learnt anything, if
so, what?”. Additionally, I have asked, “do you have any
advice for me?” The players, some of whom I have only
worked with once, have provided a healthy number of
positive comments to the first two questions. Equally,
they have also been forthcoming with their advice,
commenting on everything from the size of the pitch
to the number of times the session was stopped. And
on occasion, following reflection, I concluded that they
were right.
This is a process I have shared with other coaches. The
use of questions on a whiteboard can be very effective.
Not every player is comfortable in vocalising their
response, so the whiteboard offers a useful alternative.
Also, some players - like adults - can appreciate
‘thinking time’ when responding to a question. Plus, the
terminology the players use can often prove insightful.
What did you
like about the
session? …why?