Motivation and Footy

[Ghost Dog]

I would really like to know some of the motivational techniques coaches like Brendan use to get their players to perform. Nothing top secret, but what sort of methods they subscribe to, how they get players to focus on 'effort over achievement especially'. how do you sort out players who are not performing to their potential?

It seems the younger generation lack a bit of ability to suffer pain and show some patience.
Any players, former players at any level, former coaches or parents like to comment on inspired coaching methods?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Motivation and Footy

Not specific to instantaneous motivation, but I accidentally took part in a session with Ray Maclean in 2006, and then bought his book - which is an easy read. Good value read to background leadership and motivation to succeed, IMO. But not your John Northey type ra-ra stuff.

[Twodogs]

Re: Motivation and Footy

How do you accidentally take part in a session?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Motivation and Footy

How do you accidentally take part in a session?

Long story, I got a scholarship for a Masters, and part of the course was these new trial 'nerdy' voluntary day courses. Being a little nerdy, I tried one. I turned up to a little room with 6 international students and they forked out for Leading Teams, including Ray Maclean! Being the most proficient in English and understanding of footy (and his offsider was a mad doggies member, and the LT rep at Richmond) and understanding the police (his other major client), we spent the day chatting between his teachings.

The 'accident' was I had NFI they were doing it, I thought it was going to be some half retired tenured professor going to lecture us, in how good they used to be... So happy I was wrong!

[jeemak]

Re: Motivation and Footy

I had a couple of sessions with Maclean when I was playing at the pointy end of the ammos in 2001, our coach at the time knew him (Maclean was at Collingwood at this stage).

A lot of it was based around changing the motivation away from pure self interest, and understanding that team first values being upheld would assist the individual in benefiting alongside the collective group. Be the best you can be (preparation, effort, knowing the system all adhere to and working within it to fulfill a specific role) as a cog, kind of similar to the way capitalism is supposed to work.

I got a lot out of it (being a socialist - with selfish tendencies at the time), though it was really something that would have needed to be continually drummed into the group for it to be effective long term.

Continuity through repetition would be key I think, at the highest level. Especially with all of the big egos around and the fact careers are on the line day in day out. For me, that's the challenge, and it's why a level of Group Think penetrates successful clubs over a number of years but can ultimately dwindle as players change-over and ability fades. It's hard to maintain when the talent and fitness within a group trends negatively.

One of the easiest things to forget about a club like Sydney, who's culture seems to be held in high regard is that they're a well run organisation and have talented coaches and players representing them. There's nothing better for a club's motivation than good management and talent.