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Updated: SPEA Newsletter 2024 Issue No. 1 (June/July)
I have always believed that a coach/educator is one of the best and rewarding professions. It is a profession that is to be respected and taken seriously.
My approach towards football coaching/teaching is deep rooted and one that is inspired by my days playing professional football and learning the ropes from the many coaches, educators, peers and even players.
I believe that sport has the beautiful ability to build character and it helps to instil important life values. Life values that will remain firmly entrenched in the lives of the players and students whom we coach. The moment we step onto the pitch, we affect lives, we inspire, we create bonds, we motivate, we build teams and we lead by example.
“The mark of a true coach is not only winning championships but also leaving a positive legacy in the hearts of their players.” - Phil Jackson
I demand a lot from my players. This can only happen if I demand a lot from myself. I have to lead by example and walk the talk. Let me delve into the simple guiding principles of my sessions. I call them the Non-Negotiables. These have to work both ways - for the players and myself.
Turn-Up - ON TIME
There are days when you do not want to train, do not want to wake up early, do not feel like it……Turn up, on time anyway. It is not motivation that makes athletes successful, it is discipline. So turn up. Grind and hustle.
Hard Work
Simple. No cutting corners. No cheating. Go into every session giving your all. Cutting 5 meters in a session means cutting 20 meters in 4 sessions. 20 meters in a game of football or any other sport can make the difference between a win and a loss!
“Dedication sees dreams come true.” - Kobe Bryant
Train as You would Play the Game
Players tend to take it easy during training sessions. How would these players approach a match or behave in a match? Bad habits during training sessions need to be weeded out. Making mistakes and laughing about it is a No No.
The Big D
Discipline in every sense of the word. Literal behavioural discipline is so important in any sport. Poor discipline can eat into the team that you are building. And tactical discipline can prove to be the difference maker in a match. Playing to instructions is vital.
These are my expectations of my players but first of myself. Every session that I coach, these guiding Coaching Non-Negotiables (CNNs), have to be adhered to. These CNNs usually start off as mountains for the players, but as they get used to the training methods, they become little hills that they get to ride along on as WE, as a team set out to compete.
As a Coach/Educator, it is always nice to win games and championships. I have learnt to lose as well, the hard way. But to win championships and to witness players grow into fine individuals with the correct values - that’s a beautiful feeling that can never be replaced. I am grateful to have felt this when Team ITE clinched the Double - POL-ITE and Inter Varsity Tournaments 2 years ago. It was not only about winning those titles, but the manner in which we did it.
Lastly, I would like to take my hats off to the many dedicated coaches/educators who have been working tirelessly but more importantly, love what they do - because that’s what we do - Inspire with our actions.
Contributed by:
Mr Shasi Kumar, PE Teacher at ITE College East. He is also the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Coach Award in 2023.
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