In every coaching guide or book that I have written, one central theme emerges: the importance of developing players to be as complete as possible. I picked up on the importance of developing complete players from my mentor, Diane Geppi-Aikes, the legendary coach of the Loyola Greyhounds from 1989 – 2003.
Developing a “complete” player is a holistic approach that equips athletes with well-rounded skill sets that prepare them to excel in various situations on the field and off.
For example, an attack player must be ready to step up and play defense when the opposing team has the ball – and she will be comfortable doing so having been exposed to defensive concepts during practice.
So coaches – making sure you teach your offensive players defensive skills and your defensive players offensive skills will go a long way!
Cultivating the intrinsic skill sets of a complete player is an important piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked. Talk with your players about their mindset; celebrate when they are displaying confidence, and highlight when they are being a great teammate.
This all goes into not only developing a complete player – but a healthy team culture. Take a look at the list below and be sure to talk about these things throughout your season.
A Complete PLAYER Is:
- Athletic – speedy and quick
- Tough – mentally and physically
- Ambidextrous – equally strong with both hands
- Balanced – balance equals body control
- Coachable – respectful and eager to try new things
- Student of the game – learns every day
- Ambitious – never satisfied and always looking to improve
- Fearless – an aggressive decision-maker who is not afraid to make mistakes
- Inclusive – welcoming of new teammates
- Healthy – conscientious about health and nutrition, respects her body, and understands what it takes to perform at a physical peak on a consistent basis
- Humble – values team success over individual accolades
- Vocal – not afraid to express herself and get her teammates fired up; understands the importance of communication on and off of the field
- Confident and self-assured – recognizes when she’s good, but knows there is always work to do
- Fundamentally sound – understands the importance of being able to execute fundamental skills – all the little things – well and consistently
- Responsive – uses criticism, comments and feedback constructively; makes changes rather than excuses
- Courageous – not only has physical courage, but the moral courage to do the right things under challenging circumstances
The Importance of Extra Effort
Complete players understand that to separate themselves from the competition, they must consistently do more than others.
It is not enough to hone in on one set of skills. Coaches want to reiterate that practice is where the TEAM gets better, but time spent outside of practice is where the INDIVIDUAL athlete gets better.
Coaches – in team meetings and practices, feel free to introduce the concept of a “complete player.” Talk about what that means to you. Encourage players to share their definitions of what it means to be complete.
Break your team into position-specific groups—attackers, midfielders, defenders, and goalies—and have each group list the qualities of a complete player for their respective positions. Review these lists as a team to foster discussion and reflection on individual and collective goals.
From these discussions, players can choose one or two qualities to focus on and improve as they strive to become more complete athletes.
Dedication to polishing their skill sets and attributes is what distinguishes a good attacker from a truly exceptional one.
Attributes of a Complete ATTACKER:
- Loves to score – wants to get to the cage and understands the importance of shot selection and accuracy.
- Is a disciplined shooter.
- Sets her teammates up – through ball and body movement.
- Dodges hard and smart – knows the difference between dodging to score and dodging to create.
- Rides hard – understands the importance of possession.
- Helps in the clear – puts herself in good passing lanes to receive the ball and move it up field.
- Is a quarterback – runs the show and has a “you can’t stop me attitude.”
- Has game sense – understands how to break down defenses and change the point of attack.
- Is a strong communicator – with coaches and teammates.
- Has a fearless and tough mindset.
- Uses deception to her advantage – knows how to fake out a defender and the goalie to get what she wants.
- Is consistent and reliable – does her job and works within the offensive system.
To learn how to coach Lacrosse effectively and implement best practices, check out my course, The Winning Mindset: Developing Team Culture and Resilience, available on the ISNation app. Taught by myself and legendary Lacrosse coach Julie Myers.
Attackers Who Ride are VALUABLE
While attack players are primarily responsible for setting up and scoring goals, they also play a crucial role in initiating their team’s defense. Once the opposing team gains possession of the ball, every player must quickly transition into defensive mode and work collectively to regain control of the ball. This is known as a “ride” which is akin to a full-court press in basketball, aimed at forcing turnovers as the opponents attempt to clear the ball.
Attackers who understand the importance of the ride and their role in it are incredibly valuable and stand out to coaches.
To effectively contribute in the ride and on defense, attack players want to master several key skills: strong communication, quick and shifty footwork, body positioning to slow down the ball, executing effective double-teams, checking safely, and actively hunting the ball.
These defensive capabilities not only help create a more complete attacker but also provide valuable insights into what defenders are trying to accomplish, ultimately enhancing the attacker’s ability to outsmart their opponent.
Coaches – add opportunities each week at practice for attackers to work on their defense! Make it something they come to expect!
Benefits of Teaching Defense to your Attackers
If you teach defensive skills and techniques to attack players, you can significantly boost their confidence.
This knowledge not only empowers them to hold their own during defensive plays and rides but also enhances their understanding of the defensive strategies used against them. It may sound simple, but many coaches completely overlook the importance of teaching defensive tactics to offensive players.
Consider dedicating a practice session to position-switching, where players take turns playing different roles on the field. Have attackers play defense and defenders play offense. Ask your midfielders to help. This cross-training experience not only broadens their conceptual understanding but also cultivates camaraderie and teamwork and an appreciation for the physical and mental demands of each position.
Encouraging Feedback and Collaboration
Building on that camaraderie and teamwork – encouraging your athletes to make each other better by sharing their knowledge and experiences in their respective positions fosters a healthy culture of communication and feedback.
Encourage players to discuss their performances and provide constructive feedback to one another during drills. Older players can take on mentorship roles, guiding younger teammates by sharing what has worked for them in the past. This interaction not only builds relationships but also enhances the learning experience for all players involved. Players are not coaching one another – they are providing feedback to one another.
Encouraging younger athletes to ask questions fosters a comfortable environment where they can interact with more experienced teammates. While players want to get comfortable supporting each other, it’s crucial to ensure that coaching remains the responsibility of the staff. By facilitating peer feedback, coaches can create a positive environment and dynamic where players make incremental improvements and strengthen their connections on and off the field.
Conclusion
Developing complete players is a key element of effective coaching. By instilling a sense of dual responsibility, encouraging extra effort, and fostering a culture of feedback and collaboration, coaches can empower their athletes to grow both individually and collectively. Ultimately, the journey of becoming a complete player not only enhances individual performance but also elevates the entire team. Embracing this holistic approach will lead to greater success and fulfillment on the field and off.
To learn more about the art of coaching, check out the ISNation app.
Our courses cover a variety of topics to help you grow as a coach, including:
- The Weight of Words: Speaking Life Over Your Child by Shedrick Elliott III, Assistant Track & Field Coach at John Hopkins University: Learn the power of positive communication in shaping athletes’ mindsets.
- The Answer-Based Mindset by coach Elliot Ptasnik, Assistant Head swimming coach at The Queens University of Charlotte: Gain insights on fostering a problem-solving attitude, tailoring your behavior to an athlete’s needs for performance under pressure.
The app also features free mental wellness tips for athletes, coaches, and parents.
