Many coaches put significant emphasis on pre-game preparation and adopt a laissez-faire attitude during games, but the actions of a coach during a match can have a major impact on the outcome. Psychologists have long pointed out the drastic effects of encouraging phrases as well as positive rather than negative motivation. In other words, coaches who say “Make the goal” will be more effective than those who say “Don’t miss.”
Coaches who try to micro-manage the game often end up stifling the creativity and competitive instincts of their players. As a result, the team does not perform to its full potential. While coaches should encourage their players during the game, they must choose the right moment so as not to break concentration or become a distraction. A great way to motivate players without overwhelming them is to set goals and targets for smaller periods of time than the full game. For example, a coach could push for two more goals in the next 10 minutes rather than a much larger number of goals throughout the entire game.