Dilemma

[Essen]

I am at the moment an assitant coach of an U16 team. This team has a good balance of players with ability, potential and roleplayers that can easily make Nationals.

However at the moment the head coach is taking it a bit easy and the players are becoming frustrated with the lack of "competitiveness from coach" and some of the plays the coach likes to run and is constantly commenting to me that they would prefer me to coach as they prefer my style etc etc etc.

Now my dilemma is what do I do. I mean, I cannot force the coach into doing anything nor will the players stage a coup or so to speak. But have any of you dealt with this in the past perhaps as players? How should I go about things at training? Maybe slowly take control until im doing the majority of the work?

The main thing I am thinking of is the happiness and success of my players. Thats all I want.

[Wallitron]

You're in a no win situation, but I'll make a couple of suggestions anyway.

Ask yourself why the coach is lacking competitiveness? What is their motive in coaching this team? If you can't answer these questions, maybe ask the coach in a non confrontational manner. It wouldn't be amiss to enquire what the coaches goals are for the team this season.

If your not comfortable with that, focus on the players goals. Have every player write down their goals for the season, in basketball terms. If the players goals are competitive based (ie win the comp, go through undefeated) the coach will have to address that.

What don't the players like about the "coach's plays"? Pick out the fudementals that this style doesn't address, and have the players mark these fundementals as a goal.

It's obvious that the players aren't able to talk to the coach directly, but being the mediator could get you into trouble.

[Coachpete]

Can't stress this enough!!!!!!

Sit back, hold your tongue, do what the coach asks, be a shoulder for the players to cry on.........and get through the season.

When you get the opportunity to have your own team.......go at it hard and do all the things that you think will work.

DO NOT!!!!!! be seen as a back stabber. It will follow you around for years.

No matter how much you think the guy is screwing up it's HIS team. When you get the chance to have your own team you'll be the boss.........and you can bet there'll be someone standing behind YOU analysing every move you make and thinking they can do it better :wink:

[revolution]

Exactly. Focus on your job and let him do his (even if it could be done better). But if you spend any time undermining him, you are not doing the best job you can do.

Hang in there. I am sure we have (or will) all encountered this situation in our life. Be patient - you will get there soon enough.

[Franklin]

But is sitting back, doing nothing when you know there's an issue (or perceived issue) a form of backstabbing?

What if it blows up and a group of agitated and/or frustrated parents want to take it further and it comes out that you knew about it and did nothing??

Depending on your relationship with the Coach, and maybe how "fragile" the Coach is, you should tell him that there are concerns? Diplomatically of course!

Is there really a problem? Maybe the Coach just needs to enlighten everyone (including YOU!) about his or her philsophies?

And the comment about happiness and success: does that mean that the 2 go togehter and if you don't get teh latter, you can't have former? Maybe the Coach is focussing on the former and if the latter comes because the players are good enough, well and good.

But, in saying that, my real experince, at this stage, is with 8-11 year olds 8)

[Blind Teddy]

I certainly wouldn't undermine the coach and I also see the assistants job as being the go between for some players.
There is one question I will pose and that is "Since when have players decided Who Will Coach at the elite Level?"

[SLICE23]

Blind Teddy didnt you know the players are the coaches ha ha ha
Na seriously please don NOT undermine the coch he or she could have other issues or yes even taken ther foot off the pedal but a good coach will see this and get thru, rockin the boat will only cause waves.
If you both do your job and maybe a nice little shove in the ricght way may even wake them up but be cool carm & collect.

[Coachpete]

"Since when have players decided Who Will Coach at the elite Level?"


I know of at least 2 rep teams this season that had coaches appointed because the players had said they would not play for a certain coach :wink:

[Coachpete]

You might also want to ask Gordie McLeod his views on the subject as well :lol:

[Steph]

has anyone noticed that it's the players that have caused this problem? the players are the ones who have complained (or caused the issue), the players who don't like the coach?

so many teams have got players who "don't like the coach" or "have issues with the coach"

the coach is the one who is in charge of this team, and yes he might actually have a different way of teaching kids how to play the game, every coach is different.

A good player is someone who can be coached by anyone and adapt to every coach they have and find ways of dealing with the coach

as a player, i know it gets hard to deal with coaches but they are the ones with the experience and knowlegde and we should just let them do their job..... and of course if they are still not happy then a gentle word with the coach asking him what his philosophies are should do the trick and if that doesn't make sense then clench your fists and look into getting your own team.

[SLICE23]

Here here Steph finailly some one making sense unfortunatley @ times parents and players seem to have too much to say who actually runs the team...Come on coaches stick up for your rights!

[Steph]

haha thanks, and the sad bit is that im a junior player as well..

yes i do agree you really have to stick up for your rights as a coach! if this is their first season with him then they will not be used to him but as i said if they want to play seniors, they really have to experience different types of coaches so they can get used to variety and not be overwhelmed when they suddenly have something totally different to what they are used to.

[Homer]

Having been in this position in my work Essen, as assistant manager, I know exactly where you are coming from.
I agree you should not do anything to undermine the coach. Especially in front of the players. You should be seen publiclly to support the coach.
You should also be seen as an ear to talk to by the players.
When you have a chance you should sit down over a coffee or something and go over the team plan for the season. Tell the coach of the players concerns and take the opportunity to voice yours too but don't show any sign of undermining the coach. You are his assistant and he needs your help to ensure the team reaches its goals. Do it with class, as two knowledgable adults working towards a single goal, and don't turn it into a "bagging the coach" session. This will achieve nothing.

Good Luck