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Developing Decision Makers:
Words of Praise
I really like the empowerment theory, mainly because I like to be treated as an intellectual athlete. Through years of playing and the people who influence you (players around you, coaches, friends, family) you do manage to learn a lot of things. It's nice to be asked, so you can start formulating your own ideas as well, if you don’t know the answer it is a chance to learn from your coach/coaches and the players around you.
Overall, it makes you a better thinker, which makes you, in my opinion, a better player. Also in the big scheme of life, it makes you a better coach, a better teacher, a better parent or whatever it is you strive to be.
- Anna Veronese
I think it [empowerment] is a way that coaches use to give players ownership or control over their actions in training. It’s also a way, in terms of Wayne, I see him using it, he always observes and stops, like the way the teachers use the style. He generates a lot of questions about situations or drills and asks players how they can improve. He is always asking for their feedback and solutions to a problem. So he never actually gives the right answer, or there may not be a right answer, but he is always generating the answer from the player… Certainly, I’d hate to have a coach who’s autocratic and players don’t have input. I believe … that all players have something to contribute to the team.
- Daryl Gibson
When Under 14 rugby players were asked about their coaches’ use of empowerment, they said,
"We had come on a long way and ended up playing with just the one goal and started playing together."
"We were positive and played more as one unit."
"It was good fun playing with cool team and cool coaches."
"Everyone was enjoying themselves."
"All working together and helping each other. Played good rugby."
I read the book and agree with every word. This is my style of coaching, and the emphasis I put on all coaching courses and Academies I have conducted over the last 6 years, both here in the USA and in Holland where I was Tech Director/Coach. Empowering the players has given me by the far the best results from the players. At first, players were reluctant to have input into the way we play - but as each gained more confidence peak performance was increased. It enhanced team culture and brought many players out of their shell - with a lot more respect being shown between player/player and player/coach.
- Geoff Old, Former Technical Director, USA Rugby
The value of what I learned hasn't been proven so much in my team's success, but rather in how they talk about my coaching style -- kids from national high school championship sides comment that they're genuinely learning to play rugby instead of simply learning sequences of plays as they do in other sports. By giving the kids free rein to start looking around the field and trusting each other, they grow together as a group.
- Dan Hattrup, coach of top 15 Collegiate Division II sides in the USA
I have just started my journey on becoming an Athlete-Centered Coach. I have just completed Your book Developing Decision Makers. I am currently reading Athlete-Centered Coaching and The Humnaistic Coach by Ben Lombardo. In your book athlete centered coaching I have just about highlighted the entire first page in chapter one.
Your book Developing Decision Makers may be one of the most practical coaching books that I have ever read. I am currently applying this Empowering knowledge when coaching a 12 year old youth soccer team. I am a prescriptive coach but I am very aware of what I am doing and not doing at practices and games when it concerns empowering athletes. I have discovered your books and this subject at an alomost perfect time in my coaching progression.
Just wanted to let you know that you have someone paying attention to your books and this subject in North Carolina.
- Hanie Cole III, Chocowinity, North Carolina
Reviews & Relevant Articles
- An empowerment approach to coaching.
By South African Sports Commission
Read the review at: South African Sports Commission website
- Developing Decision Makers - Are we or aren't we?
Empowering players vs. encouraging a coaching dependency.
By Fran Kulas
Director of Coach and Player Development,
Kentucky Youth Soccer Association
Read the review at: www.abbotsfordsoccer.com/Youth Articles/developing_decision_makers.htm
- A book review by Roby Stahl,
the OSYSA Director of Coaching and Soccer Education.
Read the review at: www.osysa.com/092101bookreview.html
- Soccer Savvy Players - Guided Discovery by Age Group.
An article by US Youth Soccer, which cites Lynn Kidman's work. "In the National Youth License course we are . . . . referring our coaches to Dr. Kidman’s work." Download it here (PDF, 148Kb)
