Paco Lobato

Interpersonal relationships are key to the proper management of a group of players. The factor of age difference between player and coach, which is standard, sharpens the difficulty of communication between the two sides. The coach is more accustomed to communicating with explanations of concepts are very abstract and not easily understood by the player. Using real match situations or graphic examples with a plain and direct language, would overcome that barrier and would improve the development of our game plan on game day.

We present a series of points that should fix our roadmap and we should not ignore when we consider connect with the players:

1. Adapted to the context: The "teachings" of the coach cannot be the same with each group or in different clubs. The good coach is one who knows how to modify and change his explanations based on the interests of the players, the characteristics of the club, the staff he has and the context that surrounds him ... there must be no immovable game plan. We must not be insensitive to these aspects since they are the ones that make a difference. That is why there are coaches who are brilliant in some teams and at the time they signs for a new club and that "magic" is destroyed, they fail loudly. The teachers take into account that factor because I guarantee that it cannot be taught the same in a school with high social class students than in another with more disadvantaged students.

2. Worrying about your problems: From our role as coach, we must not show ourselves insensitive to what surrounds football: parents, press, environment, personal situation of the players ... We are very harmed to give the image of a professional who comes to do their job and then leaves. We must have empathy with the human resources that we handle, talk a lot with the players, help with our advice, thank and assess the opinions they give us ... It helps a lot to adopt a close relationship with the players, using a lot of gestural league. In short, players should know that we are going to be there, that we are going to get involved and do our best to minimize their concerns.

3. Maintain our good relationsIt is very important to preserve the friendships we have with the players, even when they have ceased to be their coaches. It is the biggest indicator that we are not "pass" in the clubs. Establish a connection makes it last a lifetime. Reciprocity of this relationship makes these players speak well of us and our method and that if we need if we are training a player at another club, the players do not hesitate when joining our team.

4. Listening, not only to direct: Players can never think that their opinions are indifferent to the coach. A good coach must be an excellent communicator but not only that. We must ask the players for game situations that opinion have on the game plan. If they are the ones that target we should be assertive and always respect your opinion. It is essential to use moments of training to speak individually with players and ask them as they are or how they feel.

5. Prevent the injustices: Keeping a cold head and being consistent with your speech is perhaps the most important point to prevent the costumes from getting out of control and loses confidence in you. We cannot solve the same conflict in different ways throughout the same season. We must reflect on the code of conduct to apply and maintain our criteria without differentiating whether the player is a holder or substitute. Doubt your professionalism must be a red line. If the players see that the one who complains more, the one who speaks more with the coach plays or does not sanction the players who are “stars” of the team, we will lose the condition of being impartial and objectives. Our days in the club will be counted as soon as the results go wrong.

6. Learn to know the players wellEach "coach-players" relationship is a learning process for both sides, training our experience makes us easier to adapt to it. It is good to see things from a "pedestal" have to get to the level of the players who are the skin left on the field every day. Dialogue is good. We should not mind listen to ideas they have on certain aspects of the game plan. They should recognize and acknowledge when they have had a brilliant idea and we have strong arguments to rebut when you consider that your proposal is not the right one. Yes, always with respect and not contempt for the other party involved.

7. Make the rules more flexibles: It should not be the general trend, but we must listen to the player before sanctioning or reprimanding him for an attitude, no matter how guilty it may seem. Sometimes, there may be some external condition that justifies their lack of punctuality, respect or commitment to the team. We have to be very patient, the screams and fuss do not contribute to make the player react. In the event of making the rules more flexible with someone, we must explain the reason to the rest of the squad so as not to provoke gossip about alleged favoring of certain players.

8. Raise your self esteemAs coaches, our confidence on campus must be unlimited. Caring for the "emotional health" of our players is a priority. Everything we say or do has a consequence on the self-esteem of the players. It is key to avoid value judgments and constant criticism. If we consider that the team does everything wrong, you should select a series of points to emphasize and forget not say good things too. Use positive expressions as "I trust you", "I know you are going to achieve it" or "you can do" help more ferocious and destructive criticism.

9. Share a hobby or activity: It always helps maintain informal conversations with players about aspects of our personal lives. Players must also know the coach's tastes and hobbies. The factor of sharing certain musical or sports idols, attending events, love for some television series or practicing some activity such as cycling or running in our free time, helps to make a group. And we must not forget that the coach must also be part of that group although it should not be at the same level as the players always.

If we take care of each of these aspects, we will have many more options to make a good season as a club coach. Always be fair and objective is a task of extreme difficulty, so many trainers choose to train in short cycles each team. With perseverance and perseverance, sure conseguis purpose of forming your players and to make a name in the world of football as a benchmark for honesty and adaptability in each club to which you entrenéis.