Coaching Techniques
The Stormers Way explains how we think. Coaching techniques are the practical habits that help us put those principles into action. Use these techniques throughout every practice, regardless of the age group or activity being taught.
Good coaching keeps players active, confident and learning.
Practical Habits for Every Practice
Show More. Talk Less.
Players learn more from seeing and doing than from long explanations.
Use:
- Give short demonstrations.
- Use simple language.
- Give one clear objective.
- Restart quickly after interruptions.
Avoid:
- Explaining every rule before play begins.
- Long speeches.
- Stopping the whole group to correct one player.
Reminder: Get them moving quickly. Coach while they play.
Coach One Thing at a Time
Players can only process a limited amount of information while moving.
Use:
- Choose one clear coaching point.
- Use simple words players can remember.
- Repeat the same cue across several activities.
- Give brief individual reminders.
Avoid:
- Correcting feet, hands, posture and vision all at once.
- Giving different instructions every minute.
- Expecting immediate technical perfection.
Reminder: Clear coaching creates confident players.
Ask Before You Tell
Questions help players notice, think and solve problems.
Use examples such as:
- “Who can you see?”
- “Where is the open space?”
- “Which hand keeps the ball farther from the defender?”
Avoid:
- Turning every activity into a discussion.
- Asking questions that are too complicated.
- Holding up play while waiting for a perfect answer.
Reminder: Help players find the answer, then let them play.
Reinforce Specifically
Players need to know exactly what they did well.
Use examples such as:
- “Great effort getting back.”
- “I liked how you encouraged your teammate.”
- “Good job looking up before you passed.”
- “You lost the ball and went straight after it.”
Avoid:
- Praising only successful outcomes.
- Using praise that is vague or insincere.
- Ignoring good effort because the attempt failed.
Reminder: Name the behaviour you want to see again.
Correct Calmly and Briefly
Mistakes are part of learning. Correction should help the player try again, not make them afraid of getting it wrong.
Use:
- Recognise the effort.
- Give one clear adjustment.
- Give the player another immediate opportunity to try.
- Correct individuals without stopping the whole group where possible.
Avoid:
- Public embarrassment.
- Sarcasm.
- Raising your voice because of a skill mistake.
- Repeatedly highlighting the same error.
Reminder: Correct the action without discouraging the player.
Use Names and Notice Everyone
Players respond when they know the coach sees them.
Use:
- Learn every player’s name.
- Notice players who avoid joining in.
- Notice players who struggle to find a partner.
- Notice quieter players who receive little attention.
- Make a deliberate effort to speak positively to every player.
Avoid:
- Giving most attention to the loudest or strongest players.
- Allowing a player to remain isolated.
- Assuming quiet players are not engaged.
Reminder: Every player should know that their coach noticed them.
Adjust the Challenge
The same activity may be too easy for one player and too difficult for another.
Use:
- Increase space, reduce pressure or allow more time to make an activity easier.
- Reduce space, add a defender or introduce a decision to make it harder.
- Pair and group players thoughtfully.
- Keep success possible, but not automatic.
Avoid:
- Making every activity difficult.
- Leaving a player repeatedly unsuccessful.
- Treating harder variations as a reward only for stronger players.
Reminder: Keep every player appropriately challenged.
Keep Feedback Positive and Honest
Positive coaching does not mean praising everything. Expectations should remain clear and feedback should remain genuine.
Use:
- Recognise what went well.
- Explain briefly what needs to improve.
- Give the player another chance.
- Be clear and consistent about effort, respect and participation.
Avoid:
- Empty praise.
- Harsh criticism.
- Changing expectations without a good reason.
Reminder: Be encouraging, clear and consistent.
Simple Coaching Creates Better Learning
Show more and talk less. Focus on one thing at a time. Ask useful questions, reinforce the behaviours you want and give players another chance to try.
The best coaching is clear enough for players to understand and positive enough for them to keep trying.