Friday, March 30, 2007

COACHING LESSONS FROM BROADCASTING

Keep it simple. We often complicate the game by over-analysis. We often complicate practices by having too many drills and rules. It is called the simple game for a reason. Broadcasters often over do it as well - Talk for the sake of talking instead of for painting a picture with a comment or an idea. In my openings to the matches it became obvious that this was something I already knew from coaching. Keep it simple and it works a lot better.

The view from the booth is better than from the field. The coaches have the worst seat in the house. When you are evaluating a game you must do it from above. We are always at midfield when we broadcast and high up. I have often seen the game differently than from the coaches below. It was something I always knew as a coach, but could never detach myself from the field to sit up high when my teams were playing. It might be a good thing to do once in a while. A knew perspective on the same picture. That is what broadcasting brought me.

Working as a team is better than as individuals. This is not a new concept, but it is so over spoken without backing it up. There has to be a leader (the producer – the coach). There has to be other important parts (cameramen, play by play guy, analyst, assistant coach, captain…). There has to be a lot of ‘workers’ (graphics, sound, cable men, starters, subs, trainers…) If each did there own thing, then the final product doesn’t play out. When everyone works together under a common direction, then everybody makes the show and team work best. The sum of the parts… We have heard it so many times – because it is so true.

My thanks tothe entire production crew - Sean Wheelock (play by play),Dave Bolton, the NSCAA with Pat Britx and Chris Wyche and Fox Soccer for showing that lessons from teamwork on the field carry to virtually everything off the field.

PS – Instant replays help too!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

as another broadcaster - agree totally. great web site too Keith