The puck rimmed around the wall…
I skated from my position as the right-winger (protecting the middle of the ice) over to the far side wall, where the puck was headed…
On the way, I shoulder-checked to identify where my center was, and where the weak side defenseman was.
He was closing fast and trying to win the race to the puck as well, so I knew I’d have to make a quick play.
My center was timing his route so I had a play to the middle, but it was going to be “blind” in my coach’s definition because I wouldn’t have time to face him before making the pass.
I chipped the puck “blindly” through my legs into space in the dot lane, my center picked it up perfectly, exited the zone, and went down the ice on a 2v1. Being stationary and the last forward up the ice, I decided to go for a change.
Upon getting back to the bench, my coach looked displeased… Which was not abnormal.
“Why did you make that play?” He wasn’t expecting an answer but I gave him one anyway…
“It was the only play to make,” I replied.
“Well, you should have…”
I tuned him out immediately knowing my night was over…
I had heard this bit too many times before.
Sure enough, I didn’t play another shift.
User Experience
User experience is defined as “the overall experience of a person using a product such as a website or computer application, especially in terms of how easy or pleasing it is to use.”
An experience is created for: iPhone users, restaurant go-ers, and even the players that you coach.
Keep my above story in mind as you read the next quote.
“I was having so much fun playing this way. Sometimes the ref would blow the whistle for the full 90 and I would say to myself, “already?!” I didn’t want the games to end.”
-Thierry Henry on playing for Pep Guardiola
Compare Henry to me…
Which player had a better user experience?
Who had more fun playing the game?
I’d rather be Henry.
The User Experience of Playing for Pep
If you’ve seen Pep coach on “All or Nothing” or “Take the Ball, Pass the Ball”, you might think he’s a lunatic. Or a control freak.
But if you listen to his players talk about him on either documentary you’ll hear phrases like this:
“Sure we had a game plan, but at the end of the day we had to go out and create.”
60% gameplan, 40% creativity and improvisation
“ I love to use the golf analogy, as the coach, I am the caddie but I hand the golfer the club and he creates the shot.” -Pep
If you want control of every player, play Xbox
When I compare my experience to Pep’s guys, this is what I take away…
One way challenges a player to develop, the other way limits development.
One way makes him want to come back to the pitch/rink the next day, one doesn’t.
One way is exciting and engaging to the point he forgets he was playing, the other is so painfully boring that he remembers every minute of the game.
Ask the Players
What does it feel like to play for me?
How much autonomy do you feel you have as a player?
What do I say that might be limiting you?
Are you afraid to make a mistake playing for me?
Ask Yourself
Am I a better coach today than I was yesterday?
Am I a better communicator today than I was yesterday?
What evidence do I have to support my answers?