7 ways to make better demos

Demonstrating a technique is a powerful coaching tool.

It is important your players understand what is being asked of them, to give them the best chance to learn the skill.

Here’s our seven top tips for coaching demos:

01 Sell before you start

Sell the idea to the players before the demonstration begins. Ask players for solutions to a problem or areas for improvement. Create a need.

02 Paint a picture prior to demonstrating

Outline what parts of the body will be key to the technique and how they might feel during the demonstration.

The main areas that players focus on are:

• Head position
• Eyes
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Hands
• Hips
• Knees
• Feet

Pick out two to focus on.

03 Demonstrate in the right place

You are almost ready to start the vital 30 seconds, so ensure that...

Everyone can see 

• Arrange players in a horseshoe, not a circle.

Everyone can focus 

• Make sure there are no distractions behind you, like other players training, or the sun.

Everyone is ready 

• Look at the players’ eyes and body language, listen for silence.

04 Demonstrate in slow motion only

You should demonstrate at half pace if possible.

Players need to see where you are moving or what you are doing, as they will be copying you. 

It will nearly always be something they have not done before. Therefore, you will want them to do it slowly, or at least deliberately, before increasing the intensity.

05 Demonstrate what you can do

A poor demonstration can mean a lack of trust, and bad outcomes when players try it for themselves. You must have practised your demonstration before training.

If you can’t demo it, you need to use another method: peer demonstration. Get a player, or players, to demonstrate with you, feeding back after they have completed it.

06 Don’t talk – do and do again

Do the demonstration without commentary. Then you can repeat it, perhaps with commentary this time – but let players see the flow, action or body shapes.

If you are moving and talking, it can reduce the effectiveness of the demonstration.

07 Check understanding

You can, at this stage, do two things: Let another player, or players, repeat what you have done, or let them try it out.

Don’t finish the demonstrations with the words: “Any questions?”. Either ask for direct feedback (and let another player repeat) or allow them to have a go.

Tip

Avoid tackling or full-speed contact when you are doing a demonstration. 

If you need to show those skills, use only experienced players. If you are using other players in your demonstration, speak to them clearly and directly about their roles.

Do you need to demo every skill?

Not every skill needs demonstrating. In fact, demonstrations can be counter-productive if there are too many in a session – stick to two at most.

If a player is struggling with a specific area, you should find time to work with them at another time.

Also, with younger players, be wary that you have vastly different skills to theirs. What might seem simple to you might be far more difficult for them, because they might not have the core strength or hand-eye co-ordination you have.

Catch-and-pass, especially, needs sympathy.