Top tips
Top tips: connecting with the technological generation
- Peter Augustine
- 31 July 2019
Young players have more access to devices, technology and information than ever before. Here, FA county coach developer, Peter Augustine, looks at the ways coaches can utilise technological changes to better engage with young players.
1. Image rich
Young people are the most ‘image rich’ generation ever. Having unlimited access to pictures and videos has a big impact on the way they see the world. Coaches should try to utilise this when communicating with young players. Phones, iPads and other technology, if used effectively, can be a great way of engaging with players in a way that they are comfortable with.
2. Sources of information
Young people have access to huge sources of information – particularly football content. It means their influences are far and wide. They probably know more than you think. Ask them about players, teams, tactics, formations and sessions and see what they can tell you. You never know what you might learn.
3. Speed of information
Given young people are used to accessing information immediately, think about the length of your own communication. Delivering clear, concise and quick messages is crucial when engaging with young players.
4. Dealing with mistakes
Comparison plays a big role in the digital world and most young people are aware of their online image and popularity. It's worth thinking about how young people will cope and react to mistakes in the football environment. Will they see it as failure and not being good enough? Having a ritual for managing mistakes is good practice. Engage the players as part of the process so they can input and know what to expect.
5. Problem solvers
Young people are used to solving problems online as well as at school. Similarly, young people are used to having a voice and an opinion. But who makes all the decisions in our coaching environments? Let the players have their say and work together to solve problems.
Peter Augustine is an FA county coach developer.
This article is based on a lecture by Theresa Beeckman at the 2019 United Soccer Coaches convention in Chicago.
