what if my team dont want to train? what do i do?

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

if we are talking kids, then id be sitting them down and giving them a bit of a talking to about their attitude, and tell them that this is not a social club, but a netball team.  between training hours you are here to train your butts off if you want to actually become competitive.  if they wanted to join a social team, go find one, but for now they are in a club netball team, so its time they behaved like one.  their current results are a direct reflection of their effort, and im sorry to say, your coaching thus far.

to get them to train, start making a plan for the session.  circuits are a good way to keep them moving, relay races are a way to get that competitive streak racing, and interesting and relevent drills will keep them motivated.  obviously not all drills will be interesting, but that is where you keeping them focussed will be needed.  for boringn passing drills, i make it if someone drops the ball the team runs, or there is the first to finish the drill, doesnt have to do the fitness drill that follows (run/situps/purbees...ect).  

its time to get tough BJ and not take their bs anymore.  being a coach isnt about making popular or nice decisions, its about making learning skills fun and interesting, and creating a bond between players that would probably not normally socialise .

good luck.

Netball CoachCoach

No train, no game or half onlyLet them know that this is what you will be doing.If they are younger email parents re issue sometimes it comes as a surprise. As a coach you put a lot of time and effort into planning sessions for them. If they are younger and you are dreading the wrath of a netball mum I also track who is at training and court time all are aware if they don't come or participate then they will be on half game so when I get my daughter is having more half games than others or twice in a row puts it back into players and their parents court not mine.Only takes once to be an example for the change in attitude.

Netball CoachCoach

thanks Debbie and lee-anna thats great advice but im a coach at the age of 12 so i cant take that responsibility

Netball CoachCoach

Ok what you need to do BJ is ask everybody what their favourite warm up is and once they are moving on thier feet you can start to do drills and ad Debbie said no train no game.

Allie CollyerCoach, Australia

Tijana, what sort of support is your club giving you? I think it is very irresponsible for a club to put a 12 year old in charge of a team without backup. I would be asking a senior coach to come out with you for a few sessions (most would be glad to help) and get them to help you run a session. Make it clear that you are the coach but they are there to assist. 

Speak to your players about a set of team rules. get them all to have their input and then type them out and give them all a copy. Be clear that if they do not put in an effort at training it will affect their time on the court. 

I really feel for you. Can your parents speak to someone from the club about getting you some help?

Allie CollyerCoach, Australia

Sorry, i meant to address that to BJ not Tijana.

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

omg youre only 12? well good for you for stepping up and wanting to coach!!! and yes you need some support from the club.  it doesnt matter how amazing a coach you are, its unlikely kids will respond to another kid.  how old is your team btw?  

Netball CoachCoach

Well done BJ- my daughter 13 also started coaching one of her school teams who was coachless until someone came forward it was really hard as she umpired for them as well. I supported her at practice when asked but was just there to help and she allocated what she wanted me to do, so from the beginning it was clear she was the coach not me. She is a rather strong personality and her school co-ordinators backed her all the way.  Once she laid some ground rules she had more success with her players turning up for training than I had had the year before with her team.  It is hard but a skill that will take you a long way- have a meeting to discuss what your team rules are and consequences if not met. The girls will come up with everything you need don't you worry. Make it clear when you have this cap on you are their coach not their friend you have your job they have theirs. This way it will turn it around and be there issue if they are not in the head space at training a little bit of reverse peer pressure goes a long way. Some key tips and I am sure others will be able to add for you are%3A All drink bottles to be lined up at court no running off to fountains for ages- I use manager for all correspondence they are first call for parents if have queries. Your job is to coach not for complaints if they are not getting court time then they need to discuss reasons why with their daughters as they agreed on team rules. Again well done BJ not the easiest job in the world but so rewarding

Netball CoachCoach

HI BJ just went through your issue with my Ally who is home sick today but off soon to help me coach her sisters team at lunch. She suggests if one person sits down then the whole team has to do a fitness drill, everyone gets punished they are a team it doesn't take long for all the girls to get a bit fed up and start positively. If talking and not listening then all need to do burpees or sit ups. This works wonders for the team she plays in year 8 

Nicole ClarkeParent, Australia

HI BJ, how old are the kids that you are coaching? My daughter Isabella is 11 but coaches her sisters netta (avg age is 8) and does have issues with them mucking up. We ensure that there is an adult (usually Bella's dad or myself) available if things get too out of hand. Funnily reward (a treat or a drill that they love) and encouragement works really well. I am quite astounded that your club allows you at that age to be coaching a divisional team without any parent support. It is not fair on you! I also liked Debbie'a approach - of all for one and one for all when it comes to disciplin - burpees kill and if they are all having to do them they will soon get the idea - Good Luck and do not give up

Netball CoachCoach

Im guessing you are training girls younger then you so make it fun. Play games that are going to teach the girls something but they are still having fun doing it. We play a game called bombs away where we split the girls into 2 teams and one team is in either goal third. They then use 1 ball and have to try and throw it into the other third. If the ball bounces then the person in that third that is closest to the ball is out. This helps with their throwing and their catching but they dont realise because they are having fun doing it. I coach 14 year olds so if you have youger girls maybe just set out markers in the centre third and throw that distance as the whole third might be a bit hard.

Have fun and be confident because if they know they can get away with anything they will %3A) Good luck