1. Come late to training and show up late to games
This one is pretty obvious. It just throws things off for the coach, especially if they planned on a certain number of players being there. It also backfires for you because you feel that urge to rush into the exercise. If your coach is smart they will ask you to warm-up on your own first, but you will rush through that too to make up for lost time and thus put yourself at risk of injury.
In Southern California and I’m sure elsewhere, often times the games are far away. I’ve had kids show up when the 1st half already started. Good players too. As a disciplinary measure I would often not play those players until the second half if they missed the entire warm-up - that can put the result of the match in jeopardy. I also imagine the mental state of the player when he does go in - rushing in the car (not safe), arguing with the parents, feeling guilty, etc.
For you younger players I know it is easy to blame the parents, but talk to them and tell them why it is important to you to be on time. For example, you can say that being late sends a message to your teammates and the coach that the team is not a priority. And make no mistake, being late even one time is disrespectful. Many of the greats across a variety of sports from Kobe Bryant to Ronaldo have the reputation of being first ones there and last to leave. One of my favorite quotes is “When you are early, you’re never late”.
2. Half-assing training exercises
The dynamic warm up and injury prevention exercises only require 70% effort. That passing exercise before possession doesn’t require your full focus and attention. Just run kinda hard and speed up the time between your touches a little bit more when your coach asks for game speed. No. No. And no. A good coach should know when to tailor training for more relaxed efforts and will tell you. Otherwise, players should be switched on, especially at the start of a training session. Unless you are learning a brand-new skill where slowing down is important, training should involve speeds and pressures similar to what we encounter in a match. Even that passing exercise you’ve done 10 million times.
Coaches are also responsible for not making training repetitive and boring. That is a different topic. Do your part and stay switched on. Coaches notice and like it, but most importantly it is how you will develop a razor sharp focus and improve in a way that translates to the game.
3. Throw a tantrum when you are subbed off
I am as guilty of this as anyone. As competitors we want to stay on the pitch and loathe getting subbed off. We want to leave our mark on the game. We want to stay in the game to get more minutes, as that is how we become better players.
Coaches know that and want players who are hungry to play. However, coaches also have the constant pressure of keeping the entire roster happy and developing - not just you. There are a host of possible reason why coaches make substitutions. You could have been playing poorly, but you could have also been playing well and the coach just wants to give other players who have been working hard a chance. If the game is wrapped up with a lead and your coach takes you off, that could be a sign of intelligence on their part for giving your body some needed rest.
The situation in which you get subbed off will always be unique. Any soccer player with passion will be pissed off if it is a tight game with the clock winding down and your coach takes you out. It must feel like the coach doesn’t think your’e a key player who will win the game for the team. That could very well be true. As hard as it is in those situations, there is more to gain from being a good teammate and wishing your replacement luck and cheering for your team from the bench, then being dramatic and selfish. One game does not define you, but your attitude (over time) will. No one will remember you getting subbed off with 10 minutes left in the semi-final, but they will remember your pouting and self-centered behavior.
4. Get a red card, especially early in the match
We know all of the blind ref jokes, but it takes two to tango. Sure, referees will make bad decisions, but if you consistently get red cards you are a liability to your team. Bad fouling such as ugly tackles from behind or lunging in awkwardly are indicators of poor team and individual defending. It could be low levels of athleticism relative to the opponent, being out of position tactically, or bad technique. Usually red cards involve someone’s ego and emotions getting the best of them.
A lot of the top players have an edge to them and I’d hate to take away from that. Zidane’s infamous head butt. Zlatan’s outrageous retaliations. Sergio Ramos is known as one of the best defenders on Earth, but he is also quite impulsive with his antics sometimes. I’d argue that until you are on their level, modeling that type of behavior is better avoided. Want to retaliate or take out some frustration? Go hard, but go clean. Anything more and you jeopardize your team’s chance of success. Playing down a player for any length of time drastically lowers the chances of winning.
5. Brown nosing aka ass-kissing
We know all of the blind ref jokes, but it takes two to tango. Sure, referees will make bad decisions, but if you consistently get red cards you are a liability to your team. Bad fouling such as ugly tackles from behind or lunging in awkwardly are indicators of poor team and individual defending. It could be low levels of athleticism relative to the opponent, being out of position tactically, or bad technique. Usually red cards involve someone’s ego and emotions getting the best of them.
A lot of the top players have an edge to them and I’d hate to take away from that. Zidane’s infamous head butt. Zlatan’s outrageous retaliations. Sergio Ramos is known as one of the best defenders on Earth, but he is also quite impulsive with his antics sometimes. I’d argue that until you are on their level, modeling that type of behavior is better avoided. Want to retaliate or take out some frustration? Go hard, but go clean. Anything more and you jeopardize your team’s chance of success. Playing down a player for any length of time drastically lowers the chances of winning.
5. Brown nosing aka ass-kissing
Every coach loves players who work hard and help out by moving goals, picking up cones, and being a good team player. However, there are many players who start with good behavior in order to earn playing time or a starting spot who then stop once they either achieve the consistent starting position or consistently find themselves on the bench. In other words, these types of players aren’t helping out because they are so generous, they have an agenda. Once that agenda is either met or seems (subjectively) hopeless, they default to doing what they want. Of course there are rare exceptions to this and certain players do the “right thing” regardless of their role in the team. Whether a player is a star or role player, coaches notice that consistency and value it.
Another way of brown nosing or ass kissing is constantly asking the coach “what can I do better?” or “what do I need to work on?”. Every now and then it is great to ask for coaches’ feedback (ideally coaches meet and discuss with you regularly), but constantly asking others, including your teammates, is probably a sign of insecurity. Being insecure about how good you are or how well you played is normal, but your performance and sanity will likely improve when you start believing more in your own instincts and develop confidence around trusting yourself.
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