Most coaches reflect after matches
They think about substitutions
They replay key moments
They question decisions
Often, this happens in the car on the way home
Then it fades
But research consistently shows that structured post-match reflection is one of the most important drivers of coaching improvement
Not just reflecting on team performance
Reflecting on YOUR coaching
This article explores why
Reflection Accelerates Coaching Improvement
Experience alone does not create expert coaches.
It is experience combined with reflection that accelerates learning.
One of the most influential researchers in skill development, Anders Ericsson, identified deliberate practice as the key factor behind expertise. This involves intentionally reviewing performance and identifying areas for improvement.
Study:
Ericsson, Krampe & Tesch-Römer (1993)
The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-
In coaching specifically, Gilbert and Trudel (2001) found that coaches improve significantly through reflective practice, using past experiences to guide future decisions.
Study:
Gilbert & Trudel (2001) – Learning from Experience: Reflection in Coaching
https://journals.
Reflection allows coaches to move beyond simply accumulating experience and instead learn from experience.
A key part of the UEFA B license (for those looking to do or at least be prepared for) is reflecting on match day performance.
Reflections link to training and I have attached mine here for those interested.
Writing Reflections Down Is Far More Effective Than Thinking About Them
Most coaches reflect informally.
They think about the match briefly.
But thinking alone is unreliable.
Research from Harvard Business School found that individuals who wrote reflections after performing tasks improved performance by up to 23% more than those who did not reflect in writing.
Study:
Di Stefano, Gino, Pisano & Staats (2014)
Learning by Thinking: How Reflection Improves Performance
https://journals.aom.org/doi/
Writing helps coaches:
• Organise their thoughts
• Identify patterns
• Create clarity
• Improve long-term learning
Back when worked as a coach educator, I would leave it 24 hours before I spoke to the coach I was evaluating.
This was because my initial thoughts were initially influenced by emotions.
By heading home, reviewing my notes and recalling particular moments of the session and re-writing things, it lead to far more beneficial discussions with the coach.
Thinking is temporary.
Writing is permanent.
Writing allows reflection to influence future coaching.
Reflection Improves Future Decision-Making
Football moves fast!
With 10/14/18/22 players on the pitch at anyone time, it’s difficult to remember everything that happened in each and ever game.
It’s one of the reasons why the very elite rely on analysis and review
Donald Schön’s concept of the Reflective Practitioner highlights that professionals improve by analysing their own actions and decisions.
Study:
Schön (1983) – The Reflective Practitioner
https://books.google.com/
Reflection improves a coach’s ability to:
• Recognise patterns
• Anticipate problems
• Respond more effectively during matches
Over time, reflection strengthens what is often described as “game understanding” or “game intelligence”.
Cushion, Armour and Jones (2003) also identified reflective practice as central to coaching expertise.
Study:
Cushion, Armour & Jones (2003)
Coach Education and Continuing Professional Development
Reflection Helps Separate Team Performance from Coaching Performance
One of the most important roles of reflection is helping coaches distinguish between:
Team performance
and
Coaching performance
Sometimes teams perform poorly despite effective coaching.
Sometimes teams perform well despite ineffective coaching.
Reflection allows coaches to evaluate:
• Did my coaching help players solve problems?
• Were my interventions effective?
• Did I recognise the right moments to intervene?
• Did my session design prepare players effectively?
Knowles, Gilbourne, Borrie & Nevill (2001) found reflective practice helped coaches improve self-awareness and coaching effectiveness.
Study:
Knowles et al. (2001)
Developing the Reflective Sports Coach
https://doi.org/10.1080/
In my younger years, I was quick to look at the players.
“The players didn’t do this. The players didn’t do that.”
It was the wrong approach…after all, it was my job to help them!
It’s something I am very mindful of now.
The players are unable to perform – what I am saying? How am I behaving? How can I shape practice going forward to support them?
It makes for me being a better coach.
Reflection Improves Future Training Design
Post-match reflection directly influences future session planning.
It helps coaches identify:
• What players struggled with
• What players understood
• What needs reinforcing
• What problems need designing into training
This creates a clear link between:
Match → Reflection → Training → Match
This process is essential for long-term player development.
Reflection Turns Experience Into Learning
All coaches gain experience.
Not all coaches improve.
Reflection is what converts experience into improvement.
Without reflection, coaches risk repeating the same behaviours.
With reflection, coaches adapt and evolve.
How Foundation Age Coaching Supports Coach Reflection
At Foundation Age Coaching, we have developed a Match Reflection Tool designed specifically for grassroots coaches.
It helps coaches:
• Reflect on team performance
• Reflect on coaching performance
• Identify key learning points
• Plan future training more effectively
You can explore the Match Reflection Tool by clicking below