Anybody got any ideas on how to earn respect from teenage girls when your a first time coach?

LeroyCoach, South Africa

I started out my coaching career with 14 year old girls.. key to this is make sure they understand you thier coach and not thier friend>> NB DONT be friends with them it will cause you problems. 2nd of all incoperate fun drills and exercises they love it.

Hockey CoachCoach

I coach 13yo girls. Every week i have one of them come up with a drill, which they have to explain and demonstrate to the rest of the team and i participate in the drill with the team. I find this gets them thinking about the game rather than just participating, they also get to stand in my shoes as far as having to keep everyones attention. Most of all it builds self confidence. Every now and then we play a silly game like duck duck goose just to relax things a bit, i find this helps also. It helps balance training.

Hockey CoachCoach

I coach from age 13 to 35 and they are by far the toughest, so dont get dispondent. As Leroy said dont get to friendly with them. Dont make the exercised to long as they then loose concentration. As soon as one talks or disrupts the group they get "punished" by running around the field or doing situps or push ups. that keeps them quiet for a while :) take heart it gets better.

Hockey CoachCoach

i agree with all of the answers above. i am too a first time coach with u/13 girls one of which is my daughter. I have taught adults for over 20 years and this has been the hardest gig by far. I too try and get them to take some ownership of the game by running a drill and letting them set plays. i also think setting moves to music is a great tool as it can be used as a reward and also a motivational tool. I use music to get them to flow with the ball/quicken their steps when hitting passing. It does help but you spend alot of money on batteries!

Hockey CoachCoach

I agree with all that has been previously stated. There is one factor that you must be aware of and that is establishing a relationship with them first. I learned long ago ago that with women athletes, and other organizatons,everything revolves around the relationship. That goes for your team as well. I have been coaching female athletes for 30 years and it is the key factor to all success that you have as a coach and a team. The trick is not appear as a 1st year coach, your confidence is the energy that they will perceive immediately. Be consistent with all your expectations that means don't waiver on following through. Use humor as much as you can and allow them to be kids, which means that they will want to talk, so provide a time for that. Just let them know that you care about them right away. They will respond in kind. As a man, I have had to learn how to speak female, there is a difference! They will respond to you as long as they know you care. Don't be a friend, but you are a guide and a mentor. Time will teach you what works and doesn't, but understand that the dynamics of the team in it's relationship to you and each other can change with each team from year to year, even if only one new player joins the team. You are going to have one of the greatest thrills in your life and an experience that can be very frustrating. I have loved it! Sorry for the rambling, but there so much I could say so this, I hope will suffice. Don Dillingham, United States

Hockey CoachCoach

* Communication - be upfront and clear with your expectations of the individual and the team. * Commitment - make it clear that you are there to get the best out of the team (and the club) and not for your own personal glory. * Approachable - always be there to listen. And, never isolate an individual if they made a mistake. * Leasdership - lead by example by participation

Hockey CoachCoach

I have been coaching teenage girls for many years now. One thing I think that is important is to make a statement of what you expect from them, what you expect from their parents, what they should expect from you and what you are prepared to committ to as a coach. This covers all area from training, games and any fund raising that maybe required. What time you expect them to be ready by for training, gear that they need to bring etc. How soon you would like everyone together before the game for team talk and how long you want everyone to stay after the game to give out things player of the game, special mention to anyone who has played well. If you have had a loss an insite as to what you will be doing at the next training. Teenage girls are different to boys in that some need you to build their confidence by focussing on what they are doing well and how they are getting better at trapping for example. Others need a bomb under them and work well with high expectations from you. This will take a few weeks to work out. When using a situation that includes a player then let them know this is just an example and that others in the team do this also. Lets look at it as a team and see how we can solve this. I also agree the players love to be involved in planning part of the training. As a first time coach you could start off with something simple like the warm up and cool down. As you get more comfortable with the girls then they may like to help plan the attacking pc's. Hope this helps with along with all the other great advice.

Hockey CoachCoach

all this is great answers,really helps not only the one who asked,but i was going to ask the same , i'm going to lead women senior team with mixed ages , thanks for all advices

Hockey CoachCoach

yes thanks for all the great feedback. I think combined wisdom all all the above is very motivating. Keep it coming...

Hockey CoachCoach

I have been coaching teenagers for 20 years and agree with all the above, they need a firm well prepared coach, over plan sessions and when they loose interest onto something new. I have learnt best to run a nonstoppage 40mins and then give them a drink break, onc they stop the talking will start!!

SdACoach, Netherlands

A wealth of shared experience and quality answers are posted above. I have had success with coaching and training girls youth teams and my formula is simple; Be firm but fair - teenage girls respect this approach Plan your training sessions and be well prepared as a coach - Teenage girls are like Gremlins, if they see a crack in the structure they will force it open Be realistic in your objectives - If you set expectations for performance higher than the skill base of your girls they will shut down Give your girls some freedom to experiment - Training and playing set pieces is a must for any team but allow your girls the oportunity to exercise their instinctive hockey talents within the set piece or a game Respect for the trainer/coach is earnt and not to be demanded Above all else have fun with your girls - Hockey is not a chore and should be enjoyed. A team that does not enjoy themselves will not provide results. A coach/trainer who is not enjoying themself is easily identified by the aforementioned Gremlins and broken %3AO) Suki