Koach Karl - Here is an exchange I had with Coach Greg Wilson about the important concept of LISTENING…

Koach Karl,

I am sure you remember our conversation about Jeff. He is the boy who asked me why I ask him how he is doing?

Well, Saturday morning before our game I greeted him as he walked up (it was 7:30am). Then I asked him if he remembered asking me why I ask how he was? He said yes. I told him he threw me off asking me that. Then I explained that I was interested in how he was doing, if football practice (he plays flag in middle school) was going so I could adjust practice if needed and some other stuff like that.

Also, that it may sound corny but that I cared about the players on our team. We spoke back and forth for a few minutes and then I told him good luck today and go ahead and put it in the back of the net. We had a discussion about hitting the post and not being able to control the score last week. That he could only control how he played.

He played a great game! His goal went off the post and in. As he was jogging back to the middle for kickoff he looked over to me and yelled, :"there coach, I USED the post this time" with a big smile.

Thanks for reminding me to listen.

Thanks again,
Greg Wilson

Koach Karl: - I would like to 'thank' Greg Wilson for sending his question to me and am extremely happy that the advice worked. Readers, you will find the very first page of my book, "FUNdamental Soccer Practice of Champions" is entitled, "Get to Know Your Players." Here the coach is advised to make a conscientious effort to get to know each player on a personal basis by making all conversation 'two-way.' In other words, "Pose the questions and then LISTEN to your players response!"

Surely you realize that when you talk you will hear what you already know about the player. However, when you LISTEN you will find out what you do not know about the player.

LISTENING is a skill many of us have a difficult time applying. So, let this be my reminder to you. You too can succeed in reaching your players by practicing the LISTENING skill like coach Greg Wilson.