Coaching The Coaches

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28524, 1 March 1958, Page 5

Coaching The Coaches

wenty-four men sat in rapt ntion in the gymnasium at the < al New Zealand Air Force I on, Wigram, this week as an lishman in a pale blue track drew diagrams on a black'd. They were members of Christchurch soccer coaching se held by the new director oaching for the New Zealand ball Association (Mr Ken 1 strong). • one or two of the airmen looked in at the course it it have seemed strange that ral of Canterbury’s leading er players should be among pupils. The players were not, ’ ever, there to be coached—)ugh the sessions would probimprove their football—but |e shown how to coach. Armstrong’s select class reputed eight local clubs and the Jerbury Referees’ Association, coach of the lish Football Association, Mr istrong discussed theory and les on the blackboard with his I; tested his pupils’ knowje of the rules of the game {showed the men how to coach {fundamental skills of soccer, fi through the session he cast ritical eye over the pupils, sing their potential as soccer les. Those who show promise - later attend a national course g advanced coaching. ,■ ter the mental exercise supby the blackboard work, class practised trapping and ing. Mr Armstrong demon?d how such practice sessions d be slowed or accelerated ding to the ability of pupils. J Christchurch coaching e lasted a week; now Mr trong leaves to hold another e in another centre. The ing sessions are being held Lickland, Wellington, Christh. and Dunedin, and are part scheme to provide more and ; -qualified coaches to instruct :cer in this country. ! is the first year in which coaching scheme has been J ig.