Coaching reflections

What will you reflect on from your coaching from the last year?

Steph Savino: There has been so much to reflect on. USL W League teams continue to raise the bar and it is promising to think about our future.

 

I experienced some hurdles throughout 2023 that I reflect on most, including recruiting, the players’ experience, my game model evolution and completing my US Soccer A Senior License throughout it all.

 

Steph Meek: There are several markers. The first is milestones - did we achieve the targets we set out at the start of the year? Sometimes, other markers should be recognised.

 

For example, this year we did not meet the target I had set for the first five games, but we did achieve the furthest stage any women’s team at this club has reached in the Women’s FA Cup. We also remained undefeated at home and breezed through the first two rounds of the League Cup.

 

Another thing I will reflect on is player retention, progression and welfare. Are we providing the right environment where players are free to play with enjoyment and where their welfare is paramount? Are we safeguarding their mental health? Is the environment a safe, happy and enjoyable one? Do I have committed players turning up each week with smiles on their faces and enjoying the game? Do they pick one another up in defeat and are they a unit? 

 

Finally, I will reflect on everything that I set out to obtain beyond matches.

 

When I took over as manager in February, I wanted to build the bridge between the youth and the women but also the men and the women. I wanted to be visible and present for the youth, particularly the girls and give them role models, not only in myself but also within the first team.

Kate Jones: This was my first time in six years that I wasn’t juggling multiple coaching gigs and also school, so I felt a lot more at ease with myself without so much added stress to an already demanding job.

 

As I look back, I’m mostly proud of how I never lost sight of my ultimate goal in becoming a full-time coach and continued to work towards that. Now, at 25, I’m only just truly getting started and looking forward to what the future holds.

 

Kat Mertz: This past season we had a younger team that presented a variety of different scenarios to coach and manage. I will be reflecting on a few areas this off season.

 

Firstly, how did we integrate the newcomers to the current team? Did we do a good job of teaching our team culture and setting team expectations?

 

With the graduation of 10 players the previous season, did we do a good job of identifying the new leaders on the team and did we provide them with the tools necessary to lead a young team? 

 

On the soccer side, I will reflect on the following. Defensively, we gave up 21 goals - why and how did we give up these goals? Offensively, we scored 25 - where did our goals come from and what areas of the field did we create the most goalscoring opportunities?

 

Are there certain metrics you will use in your reflections?

SM: The obvious way to reflect on performance is to look at silverware and league positioning. It is a good benchmark to see how the team has performed and provides a relatively stable comparison year-to-year.

 

But I would also use player retention and progression as measures of achievement. If we have lost players, what is the reason for that? Is it something we can avoid in future? Or has the loss of players been for the greater benefit, as a result of a surge in talent and performance? We should also look at how many players have moved onto greater things.

 

A reflection that is less reliant on figures is looking at whether I reached my own personal goals.

 

How frequently did I make it to youth games? Have I provided a good number of opportunities for youth players to be involved in senior matchdays? Have I ensured the team are supported by the club where possible and have the equipment they need? Has support for the team increased with fans through the doors?

 

Finally, I will reflect on the team’s media presence and engagement and take advice. For example, a fan suggested that highlights are put on the club’s YouTube channel every week. This identified a need from supporters which we were able to fulfil.

 

SS: A lot of what I do is reflect on the goals the players set at the start of the season and ask if they worked towards them. 

 

This result [this time] was not as high as I would like it to be, so something I am factoring in next season’s training plan more specifically.

 

After going back-to-back Metropolitan champions, coaches are starting to catch on with how we play. I know, because they’ve told me.

 

While I view this as a compliment, this means adjustments need to be made. I’ll be working with my mentors and technical staff on where simple adjustments can seamlessly work, while making major changes on the pitch.

Completing my USSF A Senior License was a huge accomplishment and the workload was heavy. 

 

I’m currently using this time to ensure that the ideas and theories I’ve learned can be applied to my 2024 season.

 

Raising the bar is important to me, and perhaps I’ve given myself the answers through many of our assignments.

KM: On the team culture and leadership areas, we will conduct exit interviews and team meetings that focus on culture and leadership. 

 

We will also use outside recourses to work with the team and coaches this spring, focusing on leadership within the team. 

 

On the soccer side, I will create an attacking and defending analysis from the season.

 

I will then make note of the following: where on the field goals started; the types of goals scored (set piece/run of play/services into the box/transition); the times of the goals; plus any other trends.