There is an image of the commanding coach giving the motivational speech that leads the team to glory. We love that narrative. It is Hollywood galore.
However, there is another story to be told.
1992. European Cup Final. FC Barcelona. The Catalans had reached the final before on four occasions, losing all. Wembley stadium was full. The pitch was perfect. This day would change the fate of a club. This day would bring victory.
Johan’s pre-game speech was a bit less dramatic perhaps than the screenwriters would like.
“Go out and enjoy.”
I share this as while we may not be professional coaches, we are leaders. We are educators. Some of us are parents. We are responsible for the development of the children in our charge. And one of many questions we should ask ourselves is whether or not we add value to the process.
Children do not need numerous and lengthy interruptions to the rhythm of play. They do not need coaches barking incessantly down the sidelines. They do not even need long speeches to motivate them or to guide them to glory.
Maybe, just maybe, they need our calm advocacy.
Maybe, just maybe, they need a bit of wisdom from a legend.
“Go out and enjoy.”
Reprinted with kind permission from Todd Beane
Founder of TOVO Training and TOVO Academy Barcelona. In TOVO Training, Beane has combined proven pedagogical practices of experts in the field of education with the visionary components of a total football legend into a dynamic and practical training methodology.
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