LAST week the new Derry manager, Damien Cassidy, invited me to his club, Bellaghy, to help him and the club coaches draw up a club coaching structure.
The overemphasis on "winning" too early was raised and I was asked how do coaches develop a child's natural competitiveness without driving them away by a "must win" attitude too early in their lives.
If children are playing without the supervision of adults they will be naturally competitive, want to play games and want to win.
But while a coach would emphasise winning, children won't.
They'll win the game and move on to play another one.
Children know that in games they are learning to play - how to do skills, how to fall, how to socialise etc. winning to them is a bonus to their learning rather than a reason to play.
They'll worry about winning when they should - as adults.
There are thus certain Do and Don't's coaches should adhere to when promoting development rather than emphasise on winning.
THE DO'S; DO -
*Teach younger children through play.
*Emphasise learning skills, not competing.
*Keep rules to a minimum with younger children.
*Keep competition informal with younger children.
*Grade competitions.
*Emphasise achievement.
*Reward children for effort.
*Help children over the realisation that they might not have the ability of others.
*Build confidence by being positive.
*Reduce competitive expectations.
*Help those who do not want to compete.
*Tell children about how outcomes are affected by things other than their ability.
*Work with parents for the child's benefit.
*Remember mistakes are part of learning.
THE DON'TS: DON'T -
*Push children into adult-like competition very early.
*Overmatch children.
*Put pressure on them to win at all costs.
*React badly if children do poorly; they are the first to know it and if you do react badly you can destroy their self-esteem and hinder their whole personal development.
For the club's young players' personal health and well-being for the future.
I was asked what can be done to keep them at their sport for as long as possible.
Again I said there are a set of Do's and Don'ts to ensure this.
THE DO'S: DO -
*See how you can make the sport fit the child.
*Use equipment that is the right size.
In gaelic often the ball used is too big for young hands to catch or kick properly.
"Small is big" is the phrase from judging the size of equipment to be used in relation to the child's size.
*Play on smaller pitches.
*Use small groups where possible (more touches).
*Change the rules to give better performance and more satisfaction.
*Press for competitive structures to be tailored to the needs of children and not adults.
*Above all, be creative, imaginative and varied in what you give them.
THE DON'T'S: DON'T -
*Shout at children. It kills their positivity.
*Think that what was good enough for you is necessarily the best for your youngsters.
*Use equipment which is too big; it may actually be dangerous.
*Take no for an answer and let people tell you it cant be done.
In coaching children there are two principles to remember:
*Performer first - winning second.
*Children first - coach second.
This means coaches should coach the child rather than the sport.
In this way, the child really is playing to learn rather than learning to play!
Of three prizes offered which will a child choose for itself, especially under 11's: a TOY, a MEDAL, or a CUP?
Let them play to learn
Arthor: John Morrison
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