Dealing with the "God Complex"

[NOLA]

So i'm an assistant coach for a public high school team. We recently started practices this week and I can say we have some MAJOR work to do. More so on working as a unit/team then skill/training. It was like watching a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off.

The biggest problem is probably our star player. He's by far one of the more talented and skilled players i've seen. He's an ODP player and has been training with top clubs his whole life. But his attitude is overwhelming. He'll fuss and complain about someone else not doing their job instead of encouraging them. Also, our other top player, who sees the field like non other, shows no sign of giving a crap. Last year he'll show up to practice whenever he felt like it and complained when the coach would sit him for not following the team rules. We have a great core of talent and the potential is definitely there. It's just having your two top players constantly showing negative energy towards the effort is daunting.

Public high school's usually doesn't showcase the best of talent. Most of the kids who play soccer at top clubs are sent to top schools. Which leaves all the public schools with the remaining few top players and then we get the kids who come out just because they think soccer is easy and they want to be apart of something.

My main dilemma is trying to coach the kids who haven't had the proper training without the more skilled players putting their negative two cents in. And it's more frustrating because, i'm the assistant coach. The head coach will let them kind of do their thing and i'm the ***hole for demanding order.

So I'm asking if anybody has been in this position before and if so what's the best way I can go about communicating a positive influence towards our goals? This team really has a great shot of competing for district honors. But if we all aren't on the same page, it will be a loooong year.

[superdave]

It's hard to say without knowing your 2 "problem child superstars" personally, but you might consider challenging them to make the team great. IOW, try to get them to buy into them being responsible for team success.

I've seen it work with U-10s. While that's a whole 'nother game, maybe the basic psychology is the same.

[flamepruf]

Both of these kids are high school, so you should be able to speak with them "man to man" on these issues. (ie. a bit more straight forward than a 10 year old).

With your ODP, Feed his ego a bit. Tell him how GOOD of a player he is, what he does right..yada yada yada, but then tell him about how you want him to be a GREAT player and explain what you want to see.

I've got a young kid that is one of the fastest dribblers at speed I've seen, but he won't pass. And numerous coaches have talked to him about passing the ball off with no luck. I stroked his ego about how Good he was at getting to goal, but then let him know I wanted him to take that next step. Because the GREAT player knows when he just can't get past the last few defenders and tries to set someone else up while all the attention is focused on him. And in the last few games of the season I saw him making more of those decisions.

The whole team spirit thing works for a few, but any ego's usually kill off that kind of approach. Feeding him the bait, then letting him think it's his idea type of thing might work for ya.

The other player, Is there issues at home or elsewhere causing him to be flippant on showing up? Maybe he's got a load of other items off the pitch he's dealing with. Maybe no ride or other issues. If so...befriend him and go pick him up if you have to..etc.

[ranova]

... More so on working as a unit/team then skill/training. It was like watching a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off. The biggest problem is probably our star player....He'll fuss and complain about someone else not doing their job instead of encouraging them. Also, our other top player, who sees the field like non other...having your two top players constantly showing negative energy towards the effort is daunting.
...The head coach will let them kind of do their thing and i'm the ***hole for demanding order...But if we all aren't on the same page, it will be a loooong year....

I don't have applicable experience, but consulted with someone who does. He made two points. First, you should try talking with the players in adult fashion. Try to engage them as leaders on the practice field and during the matches. My friend's words were "use them as assistant coaches during practices." I would call it mentoring--giving the other less experienced players tips and encouragement. Second, you should discuss this with the head coach first and any action you take be consistent with the head coach's policy. Both coaches have to be "on the same page" and since you are the assistant it is his page. Team discipline starts with the coaches' perceived authority, meaning consistent fair enforcement of rules. Discussing the situation with the head coach in advance should avoid his undermining your authority later, as you are carrying out his policies.
Good luck.