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🙌 Are you ready for a new season?
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🙌 Are you ready for a new season?

In August and September, the vast majority lace up their handball shoes, and start the joint training sessions again. I get a lot of questions about what is important to think about as a coach before a new season. That is why I have chosen to make a small guide.

This is not a conclusion, but it is well thought out and covers most needs and challenges.

1. Put together a coaching team

‍ Item one on the to-do list is to find a coaching team. Many people make mistakes here. Because NO, you don't have to deal with this alone. All teams, regardless of the number of children, must have several coaches.

These are the tasks to be completed:
‍ •
Sending out (weekly) information to parents
• Set up different teams
• Driving to and from the match
• Training times
• Planning training sessions
• Implementation of training
• Battle management
• Find referees for matches for the youngest
• Timers in the hall
• Parents' meetings
• Conversations with the players
Etc. etc.

So no, you don't have to deal with this alone. It will be the beginning of the end for you as a handball coach. Get many people with you to cover the tasks mentioned above.

For example, for one of the teams I coach we are:
• Two head coaches
• Two coaches, who are also responsible for communication with parents
• Two assistant coaches
• Two backup coaches

2. Communication platform

‍ • Find a platform you want to communicate with the parents
• Inform about training times
• Find a time for the parents' meeting

3. What should we practice?

‍ Enter Learn Handball under the "Overview" page. Here we have listed the guidelines for your age group. Everything is based on the NHF and DHF's guidelines.
We at Learn Handball have created ready-made training plans for you, based on precisely these guidelines. I recommend adapting the exercises so that they are specially adapted to the group you are training for. You are the one who knows the players you train best, and some changes should always be made. I also make adjustments to the training plans every week, even though it is I who have prepared the training plans in Learn Handball. There will be various needs that you want to train on during a long season.

4. What type of coach should I be?

‍ Fortunately , the vast majority of coach types can do a good job as a handball coach. Both good pedagogues, good professional coaches, mood spreaders, young, old, etc., etc., will be able to master the role of handball coach.

Here are some tips from me:

Become a role model with personal strengths!
Find and write down your strengths as a coach. You must take these with you to every training session and match.
Ex. My strengths are:
• Present
• Credible
• The game
There isn't a single training session or match where I don't actively use this.

Create a goal or a vision that the whole team should work towards.
The dream scenario is that you create this together with the players.

Our vision last season was:
Everyone who comes to the first training must also come to the last training of the year. During the season we talked together about what is required of the group and each individual to achieve the vision.

Involve the players in drills and games.
Let the players take ownership of what you practice and how you play. This gives a great effect!

All players must be seen and heard every time they set foot inside a handball hall.
Set aside a few minutes before and after practice to get to know your players. The easiest way to influence and motivate is by being able to press the right buttons for each individual player. You can only do that by knowing the players well. The individual differences are enormous!

Quote Ulrik Wilbæk:
‍ "Remember that the biggest discrimination you can do is if you treat everyone the same!"

Inform parents/parents' meeting
Claim from me:
‍ Parents are the main reason why we lose handball coaches.

Parents can be one of the most challenging things we encounter as child trainers. As a long-standing national team player, and most likely relatively competent both academically and educationally, I also feel the pressure from my parents.

Tips for easier riding out the storm from challenging parents:
• Call for a parents' meeting - clearly explain your strategy.
• Use the club's strategy - if the club doesn't have a clear plan, ask for one!
• Inform parents about what you are doing. This will ease the pressure on you.
‍ Ex. From the children's school, I always receive a weekly schedule with an overview of what the children have done.
• Get the help of the sports director in the club to have conversations with challenging parents.

Dialogue with the players
It is recommended to create frameworks, set rules and make demands on the players. The vast majority find it very good to have something to relate to. If you are also consistent, it will be top notch. Set aside time for a talk with the players each season.

Tips for dialogue:
• Clarification of expectations. What do the players expect from the coaching staff, and what do the coaching staff expect from the players.
• A dream scenario is if you are also able to have individual conversations.
• Try to explain challenges and what motivates each individual.

Wishing you a fantastic handball season!
Get on, and hit the gas!
Etc. Bjarte

Published: 
August 1, 2022
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