GRIP, a self-assessment tool for coach education in Canada

As we saw during the FIFA Coach Development course (see below), it is not limited to the transmission of technical or tactical knowledge: it aims to develop individuals capable of reflecting, analysing their actions and progressing independently. It is with this in mind that the GRIP framework has emerged as an essential educational tool to support coaches in their professional development. But what does this acronym stand for? Goals (objectives), Reflection, Input (information) and Plan (plan of action), broken down as: setting objectives, reflecting on practice, integrating information and building a concrete plan for progress. Designed specifically for adults, GRIP is based on the fundamental principles of learning and allows coaches to better understand their strengths and areas for improvement, and to implement targeted changes in their coaching style.

An ideal tool for training adults

The application of GRIP in educator training is based on a three-step process: preparation, action, and reflection.

• Before the session: the coach sets specific objectives related to the skills they wish to develop or observe.

• During the session: they act with these objectives in mind, observing their own behaviour, their teaching choices, and the players' reactions.

• After the session: it's time for reflection during a discussion with the trainers about what they have just experienced, their objectives, etc. The session is reviewed through GRIP in an open conversation where the coach evaluates what went well, identifies areas for improvement, and develops their action plan for future sessions. The "P of Plan" is essential because it allows them to take concrete actions for the next session in order to continuously improve.

This approach not only makes it possible to give meaning to each experience lived in the field, but also to anchor it in a process of continuous improvement. Research in adult education shows that self-reflection is a powerful lever for learning. Adults learn better when they can make connections between their experiences, their objectives and the knowledge they acquire. GRIP therefore promotes this approach by offering a structured framework that allows everyone to take a step back from their practice, evaluate themselves honestly and project themselves towards concrete solutions.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement

During coach training programs, which last between six and eight months, the GRIP framework is used to guide post-session discussions, prompt in-depth reflection, and encourage peer exchange. This creates a culture of constructive questioning and mutual support. Trainers therefore play a crucial role in implementing the GRIP framework and support coaches in its adoption. They help them formulate realistic objectives, analyse situations experienced in the field, and transform this analysis into a concrete action plan. They also encourage the application of learning in real-life contexts: testing new approaches, adjusting coaching styles, and experimenting with different techniques depending on age groups or levels. The goal is to maintain a constant dynamic of personal and professional development.

For trainers, using the GRIP framework helps coaches in training identify and reduce performance gaps. The trainers use three key questions:

1) What are your goals?

2) What progress have you made?

3) What do you need to do to continue your progress?

What to do when the trainee isn't adopting the right approach?

The art of GRIP also involves taking the trainer out of their comfort zone: they are required to provide observations that can evolve between the end of the session and the beginning of the discussion, as well as the opportunities opened by the educator in front of them. The trainer must therefore know how to navigate this exchange to provide information. When the trainee isn't engaged in a process of questioning themselves, it can also be frustrating for the trainer to apply GRIP. So, what should be done in this type of case? If the adult can't put their ego aside, you must try to empower them with responsibility for their own learning, because only they can carry out this work of questioning themselves and be honest with themselves. This honesty in assessing their level allows them to set relevant objectives for steady progress. Through the use of GRIP, each training session becomes an opportunity to learn, challenge oneself, and evolve. This not only strengthens coaches' skills, but also their self-confidence and ability to adapt to the challenges of the field.

GRIP aligns with the experiential learning cycle, adapted for adults

Here is a document from FIFA's online training for trainers. Each step is important for integrating continuous improvement:

1. Concrete Experience (doing/gaining experience): Since the process is based on concrete experiences, the theory is that the coach educator allows participants to focus on a new activity or task.

2. Reflective Observation (evaluating the experience): Once the task is completed, trainees review and reflect on what they observed.

3. Active Experimentation (planning/trying out what was learned): Assuming that participants have learned something from the experience, they must be able to conceptualize a method to put into practice what they observed, understood, and felt.

4. Abstract Conceptualisation (learning from the experience): They must be able to prepare a plan and implement it based on the beliefs, concepts, and ideas they have internalized.

FIFA training for 80 Canadian coach educators

"We had the privilege of experiencing an exceptional week, rich in learning opportunities, in a professional, high-performance environment," said Montserrat Flores Maso, Head of Coach Education at Soccer Québec. For the fourth time, but the first in French, the FIFA Coach Development Pathway was held in Canada with 80 coach educators, including 20 female trainers. "This initiative represents an important step in our collective commitment to raising the standards of coach education for years to come. Together, we are shaping the future of soccer development and coach education," continued the trainer. For Branimir Ujevic, Head of Coach Development at FIFA, "the goal is to enable each member association to train its local coach educators." Former national team player John Limniatis, for his part, emphasized the importance of inspiration in coaching: "An environment that fosters the constant exchange of knowledge, information, suggestions, opinions, and experiences is essential. Collaboration and reflection are essential to maximize the development of everyone involved."