How to Prepare to Become a Successful Coach in Australian Rules Football

So he wants to be or has been asked to be a junior coach in Australian rules football. Below are some suggestions on how best to prepare and continue your development as a coach.

Obviously, you should have played the game at some level. You don’t need to be a talented or above average player. Less talented players often make excellent coaches because they understand what they need to do to be successful.

These are the ideas I think you should consider.
First, find yourself a mentor. It should be someone who has probably been your manager in the past or a respected figure in your club. It could be a parent involved with your team who has coached or played at a high level. You could start as an assistant coach and the team coach becomes your mentor.

Secondly, as soon as you are appointed to coach a team at school or at a club, sign up for the accredited Level 1 Australian rules football course with your local league. Once you have trained for about a year and are ready to advance your coaching accreditation, enroll in a Level 2 course. The Level 3 course is also available for those who wish to train at a higher level.

Third, create your own library of training books. When I started training, there were very few books available on how to train our game. They concentrated mainly on skills training. Today there are many more who analyze how the game is played. The first real book of its kind came out in 1978. It was called “The Coach” and detailed how Ron Barassi coached the North Melbourne team through 1977 to Premiership glory in the Victorian Football League.

Next, watch and listen to other trainers. Hear coaches talk about the game on TV, radio and other media. Sneak away to the ¼ and ¾ hour meetings at your local club to hear the coach’s instructions. Sit neatly on the bench to watch and listen to the coach’s instructions to the runner.

Fifth, watch TV shows that dissect gaming. This is, as far as my coaching career is concerned, a relatively new option. Early in my coaching career, the only television show that was available to me was ABC’s “The Winners” on Sunday nights. Once direct broadcasts started, this helped the development of all managers, especially in a minor footballing state like Queensland. In today’s world, a dedicated trainer would subscribe to Fox Footy to be able to watch not only every game every week, but also every show that runs after every game and throughout the week analyzing every aspect of every game.

Then transfer the new ideas you’ve learned to your team. When you hear a new idea, write it down and test it with your team as soon as possible. Don’t throw it away if it doesn’t work right away. You may need to choose the right time to introduce it.
Seventh, complete some basic first aid and strapping training, as you may need to become a backup for your club’s coach.

Learn to umpire even if it’s just for your team’s practice games. Should
has. Buy a rule book.
b. Be sure to read how each rule should be interpreted.
against Take at least one level one field referee course.
d. Referees practice games with their team as a starting point;
me. Watch experienced referees to gain experience on how the rules are applied.
F. Discuss new rules/interpretations with players early in season training.
gram. Watch scrimmages to see how these new rules are applied to coach your team.

Lastly, create your own training file. Must include:
• Copies of your team addresses, game break notes, etc.;
• Team selections and notes on the success and losses of the game;
• Notes on abilities and faults of your players;
• Characteristics of the players, game positions;
• Training tips;
• Tactics to use;
• Notes on motifs;
• A library of books on football;
• Notes on opposing teams; Y
• Video game tapes showing some tactic or skill at work.

You should constantly review your training file, especially at the start of the season and before any finals your team plays in, for ideas to improve your training and team development.

Conclusion:
It is important to remember that your coaching education does not have an end point. The rules and the way the game is played are constantly changing. Therefore, he must continue to think about the game and discuss ideas with other coaches in the club and his coaching mentor.