Why your players keep asking for games

Playing games should never be a reward for good behaviour, nor should it be the last thing to do in every training session. We would love players to ask “What game are we playing?” Rather than “When are we playing a game?”. Follow these 3 top tips and you’ll be a game changing coach!

Because you don't start with games 

If you start training with a game every week we guarantee two things will happen 1) Your players will arrive on time every week and 2) Your players will become better decision makers. To get better at the game, you must play the game.

Set up 2 (or more!) pitches for players to jump straight into. The team numbers will change each time another player arrives; 1v2, 3v3, 4v3. Pick a #MatchPlayCard© that sets the theme of the session and leave one on each pitch, that both teams will play, this will engage players to begin making positive decisions.

There is no time or score challenge 

Combine a set of #MatchPlayCards© that represent a team you have played or a team you’re going to play and add them to your game. Try playing your game as a best of 3 series to allow for time huddles in the middle.

The game should sit at the centre of every training session (You’re preparing players to play the game, remember!). Try this! Start the next training session with the same game you finished with in the last, impact? Players know how to play the game and you’ve got a measure of learning as the coach.