Is silence a powerful weapon for a coach? "On the touchline, the temptation is high to direct everything, to correct everything. The results-oriented culture leads us to believe that without instructions, without shouting, the team will collapse," says Pedro Marcet. However, it's often the opposite: "Educational noise stifles reflection, transforms players into executors, and hinders the development of their game intelligence." The Spanish training coach therefore advocates an "educational silence" based on a simple idea: developing players capable of deciding, not obeying. "By remaining silent, the coach leaves the player with the responsibility to observe, analyse, and act - essential cognitive skills at the highest level. Silence is not synonymous with self-effacement: it provides the necessary space for reflection, responsibility, and creativity." An interesting reminder.
As with a composed coach like Carlo Ancelotti, his "silence is not synonymous with self-effacement," recalls Pedro Marcet. / ©Icon Sport