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RE: Overcoaching

Archie Graham — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:01:09 GMT

Outrageous sounds fantastic guys!

It obviously has some sound logic behind it and it resonates with me because it is a technique used in Life Coaching. When a client becomes bogged down in the limitations and restrictions they perceive to be all around them in the real world, I'll sometimes suggest a little game, which goes like this:

'Imagine that you are transported to a world where absolutely everything and anything you attempt is successful beyond your wildest dreams. Now, without thinking about it, tell me what would be the first thing you'd try?'

Magically they now seem able to articulate just what it is they'd really like to do with their lives. As with Outrageous, taking away the 'barriers' frees the player/client from the restrictions and conventions that previously held them back.

I coach a Ladies team and will certainly be trying this game in training.

Thanks again Kev.

RE: Overcoaching

coachkev — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:12:49 GMT

[quote][b]DirtyRed (21/11/2008)[/b][hr]CoachKev,

You sound like a fella who know's what he's doing! However, have you had any experience coaching a Ladies team and would your Outrageous game work as well with them? I'm trying to picture my girls having a go at it, some of them would relish the chance to practice and ultimately carry out such moves as a Cruyff turn but i also know that some just dont have the balance or stance to do such things at this time and would probably feel left behind. most are still getting to grips with basic passing. I've been teaching the bare basics (which is whats needed at this time) and have always included the cryuff turn when showing how to turn with the ball. To see the joy on their faces when they actually execute the move during a game,without thinking, makes it all worth while.

I guess I should try the outrageous game on them and see what happens, hey.

Any thoughts welcome.

DirtyRed[/quote]

DR, sorry its been a while getting back to you - had an EPL club to get out of the sh*t ha ha.

Anyway, as for girls playing 'Outrageous' - you have found even another benefit as it is non sexist. Both boys, girls AND adults can play it as it involves ONLY their imagination and courage to try.

Dont have ANY preconceived ideas as the OG means exactly that. Just observe the outrageous things players try and I dare you not to smile and gasp at players who you would NEVER dream of doing or trying certain things with the ball.

RE: Overcoaching

DirtyRed — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:07:41 GMT

CoachKev,

I guess I should try the outrageous game on them and see what happens, hey.

Any thoughts welcome.

DirtyRed

RE: Overcoaching

djasha68 — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:17:32 GMT

I have been using outrageous for several months, great game.

RE: Overcoaching

Gav — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:23:53 GMT

Really interesting topic...

coachkev - I love your "Outrageous" idea! I'm in the midst of putting together a coaching handbook (compendium of drills and practice plans)... How's that for overcoaching by the way? We're in our off season here in Canada and don't start up again until Spring so I'm taking the time to research and slowly put together something that either gives me the feeling I'm organised or at least creates the illusion I am!

I think I'll make note of this game and try it with my U8s. It may work nicely for me as I'm also working on doing something along the lines of a skills based program where I'll award kids through the season for performing/perfecting a certain skill or trick at our training sessions - ie; give me 5 juggles or do 3 perfect Cruyff turns. I have a coach from an academy coming to 3 of our early sessions and he's full of funky tricks my over 40s body can't do anymore! "Outrageous" may marry into that quite nicely.

RE: Overcoaching

coachkev — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:44:50 GMT

And...Just hold fire on any pre conceived ideas on this and just let the players play some activity for a while where EVERYTHING they do they try to be OUTRAGEOUS. It works.

Its NOT:

Age Limited
Time Limited
Player Limited
Rule Limited
Area Limited
Weather Limited
Response Limited
Just ask your players to play WITHOUT your coaching, just applauding the whackiness of some of the things they try.

You will notice the volume of their chatter rise to a high level of intensity as they will all want to 'show off'

RE: Overcoaching

coachkev — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:40:14 GMT

We all speak about giving the game back to the kids but how many actually DO something about it?

I want to share with you something I accidently developed out of curiosity and which currently seems to be succeding beyond my expectations.

I looked at the best of 4 disciplines and tried to see if I could integrate those best parts into one routine/game which would answer a lot of questions regarding the rigidly structured SSG format.

The 4 disciplines were:

1.PLAYGROUND FOOTBALL

2.HOMEWORK PRACTICE

3.PLAY

4.DEVELOPMENT

The best parts of playground football are:

* the absence of officials,

* very few aims (get the ball-try to score)

* complete and constant competitive action

* goals

The best parts of homework practice are:

* no fear of mistakes

* practice what YOU want

* achievement is personal

* creation of autonomy in progress

The best parts of play are:

* fun

* no fear

* no rules about numbers

* everyone can take part The best parts of development are:

* recognise aims/targets

* understanding of what is needed to develop

* progress can be measured and seen

* fulfilment of reaching a goal

I then experimented with different ideas and came up with something which I introduced to different teams, this being a game called "OUTRAGEOUS".

This is a normal game of football but where there are:

NO REFS

NO COACHING

NO WINNERS/LOSERS

NO SET NUMBERS FOR EITHER SIDE ( one team may have an extra one or two players)

NO SET AREA OF PLAY

NO OFFSIDES

NO TACKLING only interceptions of passes or mistakes by opponents

The only requirement is that EVERY pass, shot, cross, control, dribble, save, header MUST BE OUTRAGEOUS so no normal passes, every player is encouraged to try something outrageous ALL the time.

Now I began giving teams 15 minute games to see what would happen and it just exploded into something very special instantly.

The players played as if a weight were lifted from them.

They all began to try things that they were too afraid to before NOT because they were scared of getting shouted at, but because of the constant culture of telling players to PASS PASS PASS.

I even saw one lad of 12 try a bicycle kick near the corner flag which he caught absolutely perfect and it whistled into the top corner of the goal despite the heroics of the bemused keeper.

Even the GK's had to try and do outrageous saves.

Because of the NO WINNER/LOSER aspect, the fear evaporated form both sets of players and the things they were doing were unbelievable.

The manager and parents remarked that the boys wouldnt stop talking about it afterwards and the only thing they didnt like about it was that they wanted to carry on. The amount and quality of the goals that were scored was a real eye opener.

After this initial success I tried it with various age groups including a mens team and the SAME outcome appeared. Not only that but the REAL bonus was that the players took this new found confidence (or lack of fear) into their matches and performances climbed dramatically.

I feel that coaches can sometimes lose the magic of what its like to just play and how big a part this has in actual development. I have certainly added this to my armoury.

What coaches have to be aware of is that this type of activity is a 'trade off' of ideals.

For the experienced coach, they would like to see players keen to develop their skills and playing experience with a commitment and mental strength to withstand the pressure of competition and improve all round.
Kids just want to play and have fun

So, I will introduce this activity as a kind of reward for their endeavour and hard work in previous sessions/ routines and challenge them to know the difference in 'Outrageously Good & Outrageously bad'.

The players will readily accept hard work if its UNDERSTOOD by them (which is the coach's responsibility) and where that activity fits into their playing.

I have been evolving this to try and get a happy medium where the players retain the 'free of fear' attitude to play but also to see if development can be introduced.
What I have found is that we look at ONE aspect of play (i.e. Attack) and then we play a normal SSG but on Attack the players have to be OUTRAGEOUS in their play whereas defending and midfield play are(hopefully) to be less 'outrageous' except for a long attacking pass which CAN be part of an attack.
Counter Attack comes to mind here.

I have had positive feedback from players trying this as it seems to be a nice balance of (as topshot says) using both the creative AND logical parts of the brain in their decision making.

I have been approached by 8 clubs who have been to see this in my sessions and after talking to their players, want to set up a small 'league' between them where the players can play 'outrageous matches' where the scoreline is secondary to the fun factor, if a team collectively performs 'outrageous' moments of skill etc then an 'O' point is awarded. The team with the most 'O' points at the end of the allotted time (again no limit), then they get to have their picture taken as a group of THEIR choice (no mooning though)
In fact there was even a suggestion that extra 'points' could be awarded for an outrageous moment that leads DIRECTLY to a goal.
I'll let you all know how it progresses.
By the way. I HAVE registered this idea!!!:P

RE: Overcoaching

Noel — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:57:43 GMT

very interesting, I think I'll send that to all of my parents.

Overcoaching

Sharks — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:56:09 GMT

An interesting audio interview about overcoaching.

[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_6740000/newsid_6748900/6748901.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm#[/url]