MAINTAINING TEAM DISCIPLINE

After a recent game at an indoor center, I was talking with the coach, and the conversation drifted towards the challenges of “keeping order” on the bench. We talked about the substitution plan that he was trying to use to ensure equal playing time, and the challenges associated with that whole process. Then, this coach started talking about the challenge of staying on top of inappropriate comments made by the players, fooling around too much on the bench, and the general “horse play” that seems to accompany any gathering of young people.

At best, the bench can be a focused place where the players are talking about the game that is going on and the task at hand. At the worst, it can be a scene of rampant chaos… where the coach feels more like a traffic cop during rush hour! Recently, I was most impressed when I was asked to observe a game, and I found myself standing by the bench listening to a group of U12 girls engaged in a conversation about the qualities of some of the players on the other team. Honestly, I heard things like, “That guy has a really good first touch, look how he always keeps the ball!” “That guy is good at passing the ball back to the keeper”. Needless to say, I told the coach that I was quite impressed. Obviously, this ‘expectation’ had been modeled by the coach. In fact, as I listened more intently, I heard the coach doing the same thing with the players as they came off the field for their break. All was not serious, as the players had a good natured laugh when mistakes were made, and they roared with approval when a teammate pulled off a particularly good play. They were totally focused in the game, and fun was the by-product!

At worst, players are having water fights, complaining about the referee, yelling at their teammates to “boot it in the corner”, or nagging the coach about when they will be getting back on to the field.

The conversation with the coach inspired me to go home and look up something I put together a few years ago about maintaining order. Many of the comments below deal with the practice environment, but I also feel that they are useful for game time as well. Having a “clear picture” in our mind, before we deal with the players, is always a good thing.

I hope that you find the following to be helpful.
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Team discipline is crucial to the overall success of any team endeavor. Not only do disciplined teams perform well on the field, but, if teams are able to maintain good discipline both on and off the field, the overall soccer experience is more positive for all involved, parents, players, coaches and administrators.

In fact, maintaining team discipline is one of the biggest fears or challenges for beginning coaches. Often, coaches are lost or ineffective because they are unable to maintain order and discipline with their team.

Towards this end, I have included several brief suggestions on what I have found to be successful in maintaining good team discipline. Hopefully, you have developed your own “list” of what works for you. If not, let this serve as inspiration to come up with your own system.

PLAN AHEAD: The single most important thing that can help is the coach’s organization. Here, if it is obvious to the players that practices are conducted in an orderly manner, with clear goals and objectives, they are more likely to treat both the coach and the training time seriously. If practices flow easily from one activity to the other with minimal “down time”, the players are able to stay focused on the task at hand. By making training meaningful, and educational, the players will be motivated to pay attention and keep focused.

CHOOSE YOUR ACTIVITIES CAREFULLY: There is nothing worse than putting players through “boring” drills that are inappropriate to their playing ability either by being too difficult or too easy. Activities should be fun, challenging, and replicate the demands of the game itself. In this way, the players sense that their time is not being wasted. Having activities be competitive motivates them to play their best. Keep the players moving and engaged. Make sure that there are plenty of balls at hand so that taking unnecessary time out to chase the ball does not interrupt a good activity. Even young players will engage themselves in a great game. Remember that your parents will appreciate the fact that their young player comes home and sleeps through the night because they have tired themselves out in healthy, engaging, fun activities!

HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE IN YOUR MIND OF WHAT APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR LOOKS LIKE: If you know what the players will look like when they are playing the game, you will be able to recognize when they are not playing the game correctly, or not behaving appropriately. This will enable you to step in immediately when inappropriate behavior is seen. As soon as you see it, you must deal with it. Having this clear picture in your mind will allow you to be decisive. Then, you should also have a clear picture in mind of how you are going to deal with a situation. Having players do push-ups or run laps as punishment is inappropriate, especially for younger players. Removing them from an activity is more effective. Their primary desire is to be involved with their peer group. Therefore, removing them from the activity is an effective way to deal with problems that occur. As one coach has said, “Don’t be afraid to use the bench!”

INVOLVE THE PARENTS: Especially with the younger players, having the parent’s support to reinforce your discipline policies is crucial. Your expectations for player behavior should be clearly stated during the pre-season parent meeting. Enlist their support. It has been my experience that they will be glad to do so.

REMEMBER, YOU ARE THE ROLE MODEL: It is always good to remember that our actions are speaking so loudly that the players can not hear what we are saying. If we ask for respect, but show that we don’t respect others (This includes the referee during game time), then, we are asking for problems. If we expect that players are kind to each other, but are not kind ourselves, then expect the worst. Model appropriate behavior and get it in return.

RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN ACTS OF DEFIANCE AND CHILDHOOD IRRESPONSIBILITY: “Kids will be kids” is great phrase that both excuses a lot of inappropriate behavior, on one hand, and reminds us all that kids make mistakes on the other. When players openly defy, and act inappropriately, then swift, appropriate action is called for. However, when players momentarily forget themselves, and do not show any malicious intent, then a gentle reminder is perhaps more appropriate. Just remember that youngsters are often quite skillful at disguising the two types of behavior. We all have to be sharp in recognizing the difference so that we can act appropriately.

FINALLY, BE SURE TO PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES: If we can remember what it is like to be at a fun practice that is both enjoyable as well as educational, we will be better off. Always ask yourself “What would I like to do if I were at this practice and needed to work on my passing?” This will enable you to avoid a lot of possible challenges.