Why asking questions can help players learn 👇 1. Watch before you jump in. A player misplaces a pass, do you stop and correct them? → Be honest Maybe they saw the right pass but couldn't execute or didn't notice another option or perhaps they made a reasonable decision that just didn't work out. You won't always know from watching it happen once. 2. Find out what the player actually saw. Instead of asking, "Why didn't you pass to Jack?", try, "What did you see there?" What looks obvious from the touchline isn't always obvious to someone playing, especially when they're under pressure. 3. Be careful you're not just looking for your own answer. We've probably all done this, asked a player a question, not liked the answer, then asked another until they eventually said what we wanted to hear. There's nothing wrong with helping players recognise another option, but give them a chance to explain why they made their original decision too. 4. Not every player needs the same question. One child might happily explain what they were thinking. Another might struggle to put it into words, even when they understand what happened. You could simplify the question, give them a couple of options or ask them to show you. Think about the individual, not just their age. 5. Give them a chance to answer. How often do we ask a question, wait a couple of seconds and then answer it ourselves? → Be honest Sometimes we need to be a little more patient. Silence doesn't automatically mean they don't understand. They might just need time to think and if they're still unsure, try making the question simpler. 6. Get them playing again. A player giving you the answer you're looking for doesn't necessarily mean they've learnt it. → Let them have another go. • Do they notice the same opportunity? • Do they make a different decision? • Can they recognise something similar later in the session? You might need to see it happen several times before you get a clearer picture. 7. Remember, there's nothing wrong with telling players either. Sometimes a clear explanation is exactly what they need. Other times a demonstration, a question or simply another opportunity to try will be more useful. You don't have to question every mistake or stop play whenever something goes wrong. Part of improving as a coach is learning to recognise when your involvement will help and when it might be better to let the game continue.