Article reprinted with permission of the author: Coree Reuter
Coree grew up in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest, where she played in mud puddles, rode horses and kicked soccer balls throughout her childhood. After graduation from Centenary College (NJ) in 2008, she relocated to Virginia where she works as a journalist. Even as an adult, she combines her passion and zest for life with a determination to make a difference, seeks to inspire others and encourage young and old to dream big every day. Currently, she is pursuing a semi-professional career in soccer coaching, with hope that she can pass on the values and lessons she herself learned from The Beautiful Game. She’s also passionate about travel and is looking forward to spending three weeks in Europe with her family this December, as well as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2011 with her brother, Justin.
Two Hours With April
Seven years ago I sat in the stands, my face proudly splashed with the colors of our nation, as the United States’ Women’s Soccer Team took on Germany in the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals in my own backyard. I remember the excitement of that game. The way the fans rallied around those women and carried them despite the heartbreaking loss to the Germans. I remember standing in the bleachers just behind the corner flag and watching my idol Briana Scurry stalk her goal box. I remember the effortless grace of the women on the field, and how easy they made the game look. How
beautiful the game suddenly became.
And even though the women lost that day, the fans wouldn’t stop cheering for them. We chanted “USA!” for what felt like hours after the final whistle.
It was that moment that opened my eyes to how soccer is supposed to be played: with passion and grace, elegance, pride, strength, finesse, creativity, zest and heart. I suddenly understood what it really meant to leave your heart on the field.
Seven years ago I never imagined I’d be where I am now, and I certainly would have had a good chuckle if you would have told me I would end up being a soccer coach after college, and that I would taking a coaching clinic with April Heinrichs herself.
April was a guest lecturer at the Junior VI clinic this past weekend, and she was a wonderful addition to our coaching education. Her first lecture, “The Role Of The Coach” provided us with view of the many qualities and responsibilities we have as coaches. Her second lecture, on systems of play, gave us a fabulous history lesson on how the womens’ national team has evolved. At the beginning of the first lecture, she said that most of us know what a good coach is because we’ve either played for a good one, or a bad one who we never want to emulate.
She first discussed the difference between a manager and a coach — managers have subordinates; coaches have followers, managers tell; coaches show, managers are task oriented; coaches are people oriented. She also mentioned that more and more companies are utilizing coaching techniques in business, which i found really interesting and plan on reading up on the topic more. The main thing that stood out for me, though, is the idea that we aren’t just coaches, but that we are
leaders.
So what is a leader, anyway? A leader, by definition, isn’t very exciting, but leadership plays a huge role in team sports and in our lives. Leaders give us a direction and a goal, leaders show us how to accomplish our tasks, leaders encourage us, and drive us, and push us to be better even though we might not know they’re standing behind us. A leader is a “trusted adviser to help us reach our goals”.
Am I a leader?
It’s just another one of those parts of soccer (and life) that’s filled with many shades of gray, isn’t it? I think, though, that April can help us discover where we are in our coaching career with these key points of leadership.
VISION — see the end first, then explore how to get there. Set your goals for the end of the season and work backward for success. Setting goals is so important, not only in soccer, but in life, and April strongly encouraged us to have our players set personal goals, set team goals, and as a coach, set your own personal coaching goals.
TRUST — must be earned, especially with girls! Build a relationship with your players and show that your worth. Show that you are a positive role model on and off the field. Sometimes you have to get players to “buy in” to your program and get everyone on the same ship, rowing the same direction. This can take time and patience. You must be accountable and constantly evaluate yourself to make sure you’re setting positive examples.
COMMUNICATION — Must be two-way. Your players should have a clear understanding of the direction you want to go. You should give criticism the way you would want to receive it, and you should be honest and tactful.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE — always try and build up your players, not break them down. Teach them that they do have control of the game, and if you are giving criticism, sandwich it with positives. You should try to show your players unconditional support and belief in them as people and players.
PROBLEM SOLVER — Develop self-coaches, problem solvers and leaders. Encourage them to ask questions and be creative in their approach to the game and life. Soccer is the players’ game. Let them play it! Facilitate their growth, but don’t decapitate their decision making.
PREPARATION — Always have a plan, but be flexible. Provide your players a competitive and positive environment. April believes that there is no such thing as being too competitive, and that competitive spirit is what brings players to the field. “Soccer is a metaphor for life,” she said. “Don’t rationalize losing.” The players want structure and discipline in their sessions, but they don’t want dictators. Rule with flexibility.
“LESS IS MORE” — Find a training rhythm that works for you, and learn to take a step back. The American game is famous for having some of the hardest working players in the world. When we fail, we want to work harder. But sometimes, it’s better to take a step back, breath, and let the game be what it is … a game. Surprise your team on occasion. Let them decide what they want to do for part of practice. Freedom is so important in the game. Let them play. Let them love the game as often as possible.
STANDARDS — Set clear expectations and enforce them. Challenge them to become better every day. Set the bar, reach it, then raise it. But don’t cut corners. Don’t teach them that cutting corners is okay. Being the best is not about cutting corners.
BUILD CHEMISTRY — Find players that compliment each other. Build the chemistry between the players, players and the coaches, between the coaches. Your team and all the people involved with it should work seamlessly together.
CULTURE — How do we do things? What do we stand for? What are we about? What are our values? April spoke about the current women’s national team coach, Pia Sundhage, and how she comes to training with this air about her that says, “I love the game, do you love it as much as me? Let’s play!” What do you embody as a coach?
April finished her first lecture by asking two simple questions. We know what a coach is supposed to be, but do we embody it? We know what a coach is supposed to be, and can we grow?
Attending these coaching courses certainly provides you with an opportunity to grow, but will you embrace the lessons? You could pay all the money in the world, qualify for all the highest licenses out there, but if you are so rigid in your views and refuse to change, the game and it’s players will pass you by.
After April was finished, I personally thanked her for her advice, and spoke with her about how I could get my foot in the door. I asked her if a division III soccer player could ever find herself coaching at the highest levels of soccer. She smiled and reminded me of something I’ve always believed in.
“If you show you have something to offer, and you show your worth, then it doesn’t matter where you come from.”
Thank you, April Heinrichs, for inadvertently inspiring me all those years ago, and for giving me the confidence to keep pushing forward. I will never be able to play like my many idols, but maybe someday I can coach like one.
Also by Coree:
Am I an Ethical Coach?
was asked by VaSoccerNews for his reaction to the announcement of the new USWNT directors being named.
