My team doesn't listen

Anne-Marie CleggPlayer, England

Do you have any back up? What does your head coach or lead coach say about this? Does the team/club have a code of conduct that you can refer back to so you can reiterate how everyone in the club should be behaving? Respect should go both ways. Is there anything in particular they are doing while you are trying to explain things to them that means they aren`t listening e.g. bouncing balls etc? Depending on how many people are in your club it may be that you choose teams based on effort in training sessions to try and encourage quality training inbewteen games i.e. players are rewarded by playing in a match because they have put the most effort into training.

Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

I agree with everything Anne-Marie has mentioned. I would be asking about where your backup and support in this is. How old are you verses the age of the team. Are you similar in age and do they see you as `"one of them" rather than a coach. That doesnt mean that they shouldnt be listening to you, but if they dont respect your position then they wont listen. the head coach and you could try sitting them down and explaining to them that this will no longer be tolerated. you both have given up your free time to come down and help them be successful in this sport and you have something to offer them. Then explain to them what will occur from now on if they do not listen to either of you. if you make it about both of you, and have fair and consistent boundarys then you should be able to get through to them. Kids push boundarys, so dont think it is necessarily about you. it isnt personal. it is just what they like to do. doesnt make it right, and its up to you and the head coach to deal with this in a mature and respectful way. clear and consitant rules with clear and consistant consequences.