Team sports are important
It is vital that children participate in some form of regular physical
activity, not just for their fitness levels but to be exposed to a
wide range of positive experiences and emotions. Organised sporting
activities engender an appreciation of hard work and working within
rules. Sport provides participants with an opportunity to feel great
about achievements. Sport is vital for nurturing life skills and self
confidence. Team sport is an important part of children's life education
as it develops an understanding of respect, teamwork, discipline and
is an opportunity for developing strong networks of friends outside
family and school.
Participation
At the Gungahlin Jets under 12s the primary emphasis is on participation
and enjoyment. Other areas which receive strong attention are fitness
and skill development and nurturing a broad understanding of Australian
Rules Football at junior and national levels - specifically: playing
all positions, techniques, health and nutrition, team play, game tactics
and general knowledge of the game. Training should be based on playing
demands. This means players will learn a skill, pressures will be
applied and drills will reflect game situations. Similarly, a key
component of training is fitness development as there is a clear relationship
in a game between possessions and workload - a higher intensity of
effort results in more possessions which leads to more scoring opportunities.
As the primary emphasis for the team is on participation and enjoyment,
strict player rotation processes apply so each player will be rotated
through all positions, including the interchange and playing for the
opposition team, where necessary. Game awards are rostered and other
incidental awards are determined on the basis of attitude and application,
not skill levels.
Achievement not
winning
The team is focused on achievement - individual results and team successes.
Achievement is not another word for winning, it is about improvement.
It is important for the team to concentrate on game processes. Competitiveness
and trying to win are important attributes for players, but winning
is not an important outcome for the team. "Winning isn't everything,
wanting to win is." Successful outcomes will happen when the
right processes are implemented - winning is almost incidental. At
under 12 level, it's important for the players to understand how to
play football, so we emphasise the use of skills and tactics in the
game and ignore the scoreboard. Scores are forgotten quickly but building
character and giving people skills will endure for a lifetime. "Persistance
prevails when all else fails."
No criticism for
mistakes
As players, coaches and parents we are all still learning how to do
things better. A child's enthusiasm for sport can so easily be switched
off by thoughtless criticism of his or her skill levels or decision-making
ability. Every single player should be encouraged and respected for
their participation. However, full dedication and 100% efforts are
required from all individuals at all times at training and games to
ensure the team makes the most of its learning opportunities. Players
can expect to be reminded by coaches to try their best.
Communicating not
dictating
Players need to understand why they are being asked to do certain
things in the team. Explaining the reasons for wanting a player to
do something is a better way of coaching than simply telling them
to do it. In the under 12s we do our best to explain situations to
the players and foster their understanding. Teaching is best done
with a mixture of visual tactile and aural approaches - so we use
a variety of communication tools to help us, including physical demonstrations,
whiteboards, handouts, and discussions.
Team Philosophy
Have fun and play fair.
Always help your team mates.
Respect your team mates, umpires, coaches, parents, supporters and
opposition.
Paul Reddacliff
Junior AFC
