News

Tips

Profiles

Camps

Staff

Effective teaching is both an art and a science. Because of the complexity of the actual teaching process, teachers are constantly improvising as different situations arise in the classroom setting. For this reason, teaching takes on an artistic quality as teachers go with the flow and and handle the numerous situations that they are confronted with in the classroom. Teaching is also a science; through the use of educational research available, teachers are able to develop knowledge about teacher - pupil interactions that foster learning. The blending of the artistic and scientific are the hallmarks for effective teaching; one without the other makes makes for less effectiveness. To illustrate effective teaching, let's use Frans Hoek, goalkeeper coach for Ajax Amsterdam as a model.

Frans Hoek is considered by many to be the best coach and developer of young goalkeepers in the world, as he has produced numbers of professional class goalkeepers. The Ajax club in particular is regarded as having the finest youth system in the world. Many clubs have tried to produce an effective youth system, but have fallen short of the standards set by Ajax. The reason for this success at Ajax and by Hoek in particular is that they see themselves as educators and not just coaches. Many of the key personel on the Ajax staff have formal teaching backgrounds.

Hoek has a physical education degree and has taught in the Dutch school system. It is this teaching background and knowledge which make Hoek a successful coach particularily at the youth level. Professional teacher training gives Hoek the thoeretical knowledge about how teaching and learning take place.

The combination of excellent subject matter (goalkeeping) and the theoretical teaching knowledge give Hoek his edge. As mentioned earlier, other clubs have tried to match Hoek's success but have fallen short. These other clubs usually employ a former goalkeeping great to teach their young goalkeepers. It is here that the other clubs are missing the key to Hoek's success. Being a great player does not necessarily mean that you will be an excellent coach of youth players, just as being a math major does not mean you will be an excellent math teacher (there are many fine goalkeepers who have become excellent goalkeeper coaches and who probably could have been excellent teachers if not professional players.) . Teaching ability is the key to Hoek's success combined with his immense knowledge of goalkeeping.

Being able to empathize with the learner is critical for effective teaching to take place. Ahigh degree of empathy means the teacher will have the patience and understanding to break down the problem areas and facilate learning and improvement. Hoek's knowledge of the learning process in children combined with his knowledge of goalkeeping have allowed him to produce a successful method of instruction. Hoek's pupils are taught the skills of goalkeeping in a building block foundation that mirrors teaching in schools. Skills are taught and mastered in the basic form before they are presented in complex situations.
For example, catching high crossed balls in front of the goal, a very important skill in goalkeeping. To start, the young goalkeepers practice and master sound catching techniques. Next, the young player's are taught the proper footwork and take off for high balls. The next stage is done without the ball, the goalkeepers simply go through the jumping stages and master the proper technique. The third stage involves the coach tossing the balls up for the player's to jump and catch, bringing into play the skills of catching and jumping that have been previously mastered. The fourth stage involves the coach kicking in crossed balls from various distances, thus integrating the whole process of catching, footwork, jumping and timing together. Once Hoek has brought the goalkeeper's through these four stages and they have been sufficiently mastered, more complex situations are introduced that simulate game conditions. For example, trying to catch across while being pressured by to opponents, then opening with a throw to a teammate.

This whole process which I have explained would involve a learning to perfection of five to six years. The same building theory applies if you are teaching math for example. Years of math class are necessary to form a solid foundation before a complex math component such as calculas, can be mastered.

Along with subject matter and theoretical teaching knowledge is a third and perhaps most crucial intangible of effective teaching; "enthusiasm". Just as students can usually feel the teaching attitude around them , they are also very aware of the teacher or coaches attitude toward the subject matter. An unprepared or bored teacher conveys this attitude to the students and effects their performance. However, the teacher who is prepared and highly motivated gets the most out of his students as it is fun and exciting to be taught or coached by this individual.

Having witnessed my effective teaching model , Frans Hoek, in action, total preparation and enthusiasm are definite corner stones of his coaching.

To be an effective teacher is an ability to juggle both the artistic and the scientific. This combined with a high degree of organization, enthusiasm, educational theory and knowledge of subject matter allow for success in both teaching and coaching at the highest level.