top of page
279897789_754665032581046_8763565104575930231_n.jpg

Time to Reflect - Lewis Craig

Writer's picture: BFCNBFCN

Time to Reflect...

This blog will focus on being a reflection of the past season as I look back on some huge areas of

realisation and development this year as I continue on the everlasting journey of improving my

coaching practice and all the other facets that come with the day to day challenges that come

with working full time in sport. Here are my three main areas of reflection this season...


Leading from the shadows...

Having been a lead coach for 99% of my coaching career, this has been my first full year as an

assistant and safe to say it’s been a huge eye-opener and a massive learning curve, which I have

loved and which I needed in the past, I must admit, that ego has taken over at times in a lead role

to want to do everything on my own, or for myself. This new role has further uncovered my

appreciation for the staff around me and the contrast in types of people and personalities. Others

can add value in places where you naturally can’t and you have to be ok with that, and now, I feel

that I am. Maybe I have just grown up more to and matured. But I also feel that experiences in the last season have opened my eyes to this as well as reflecting on past season in more depth,

which, at the time I didn’t have the ability or maybe the correct mindset to use them experiences,

especially the negative ones, as instant opportunities to reflect and learn. I think, too often, I

buried them.


Helping the ‘penny to drop’

This is the hardest but most rewarding process of coaching. With some players it can be an

instant connection and just works from day one, and with other the process can take a little

longer, or potentially even longer than that as I have found out. The penny may drop with some

players years after you have coached them but I feel that I am experiences now to undertone that the process differs. I was watching the Netflix series ‘Last Chance U’ recently as I seem to do this when out of season. This is a must watch along with Coach Carter, Moneyball, The Last Dance Documentary, The Playbook and anything else that involved sport, working towards success, innovation and how champions live their lives. These programmes all have great lessons and messages. In Last Chance U, Coach Brown makes a statement to his players when try to get across why he endeavours to push them every day: ‘Hate me now, love me later.’ I believe this is a great way of looking at things and can help coaches to go the little bit further in trusting the process that we can all get caught up in at times sometimes lose a little faith. Every ounce of energy that we are putting in to helping a player will go somewhat further to helping the ‘penny drop.'


Find somewhere that you are appreciated...

Lastly, opportunities came to the for this year in the form of new job opportunities and these were tempting. So tempting that the decision to stay or go became a huge stress and burden at times as you go back and forth over ‘what is the right decision?’

In the end the decision cam from past experiences and having an understanding and an

appreciation of my current role, and also the environment I am in. The pull of another job and

people showing a want and a need for you skill set to move to another place of work and impact

them can massage your ego really well, and I will admit, it was a really nice feeling to be offered a job and was ever increasingly pulling me towards making the move. However, in the end, the

overpowering emotion and feeling of belonging helped me and persuaded me to stay. I enjoy

where I work, I’m appreciated and I enjoy going into work every day. Is that what everyone wants?


115 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


© 2017-2023 Britishfootballcoaches also known as British Football Coaches Network and BFCN is part of Azteca Football LTD. All content and selected images are property of Azteca Football LTD.

Email: admin@britishfootballcoaches.com

​

  • Monthly

    4.42£
    Every month
    Monthly payments to gain access to the jobs board.
     
    • Members area access to view the jobs and BFCN discounts.
  • Female Coach

    2£
    Every month
    Monthly plan exclusively for female coaches.
     
    • Discounted access to BFCN for the first 20 to register.
  • First Month Free

    4.42£
    Every month
    New members joining BFCN can have a month for free.
     30 day free trial
    • Free access to the jobs board and member benefits.
  • One Week

    2£
     
    One week of access to BFCN.
    Valid for one week
    • Looking for something quick? Purchase seven days of access.
  • Annually

    39.99£
    Every year
    Annual payments to gain access to the jobs board.
     
    • Members area access to view the jobs and BFCN discounts.
  • Student Monthly

    2.50£
    Every month
    Monthly payments to gain access to the jobs board.
     
    • Members area access to view the jobs and BFCN discounts.
bottom of page