January 30, 2012
Posted in BC Edition, Alberta Edition, Ontario Edition, Development
BY ENIO SACILOTTO /
All of us that participate in sports love to win games at any level that we are involved in.
No matter how good our team is, it is inevitable that at one time or another, the team will hit a rough patch (a slump), not play well and perhaps lose many games in a row.
During these times, coaches, players, administrators and parents hit the panic button and make all kinds of poor decisions that are based on emotion.
We must recognize that this is a normal part of sport and slumps must be dealt with a calm creative way and the goal is to get the team through it.
As they say, we learn the most when we are challenged with adversity.
It is our job as coaches to keep the players motivated, self-confident, and interested in keeping a competitive attitude.
Here are a few things we can do to help our team turn around a losing streak…
Be optimistic
When things are not going well, coaches tend to become detached from their players and look at the negative side of things. This is the time that players need coaches the most, they are looking for leadership. They need answers as to how they are going to overcome this difficult period. Be optimistic.
Be patient
Be patient and stay away from negativity, intimidation and fear. If we are putting too much negative pressure on players, they will tighten up and play not to make a mistake and lose, rather than going for it and playing to win.
Be balanced
Have a look at our own positive / negative ratio when we are giving feedback to our individual players and the team. Are we praising when the team played well despite the loss? Are we praising when a player has done something good? Are we praising when the team is still competing despite losing the game? Are we praising players that are encouraging their teammates while still losing.
Focus on the positives
Encourage the team to focus on how you want them to play rather than how you want them not to play. Coaches have to be realists and correct mistakes, but there is a fine line on focusing too much on the negative. Use video sessions in a positive way, show them executing the systems to perfection. A good rule of thumb is one correction to five or six positives.
Set goals
Focus on the process rather the outcome. Give individual players, and the team, “concentration” goals. For example, have them focus on keeping on the defensive side of the puck, or getting as many shots on net as possible. An outcome goal would be something like going 2–4 on the powerplay. Having these types of goals takes the concentration away about winning and focusing on the performance.
Move forward
Have the players stay in the moment, yesterday is gone (the loss is over), and tomorrow is not here yet, play the game shift by shift, no matter what happens. Teach players to take a deep breath and not get caught up with the last shift.
Be creative
a) Emphasize that the players, coaches and trainers are all in this together. Break the team into small groups and brainstorm solutions.
b) Have 1-on-1 meetings with each player and give him/her some constructive feedback and hear what he/she has to say. Confrontation is okay as long as it’s creative.
c) Go back the fundamentals: do a systems check, have a training camp, start over.
d) Bring in a guest coach for one or two practices.
e) Change the regular routine.
f) Change the player’s spot where they change in the dressing room.
g) Give some days off.
h) Get away from the rink to do some team building.
It is important to remember and teach your players that losing does not mean that the players are bad and you are a bad coach, it is a phase that all teams go through. Also, note that we can learn more when we lose than when we win all the time.
Enio Sacilotto is an assistant coach of the Victoria Royals and President of International Hockey Camps.
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