Team Selection

I have had a hectic week with a number of events and competitions. As a coach one of my schools caused me a huge problem, the reason team selection. How do you select a team as a coach, 22 eligible players but only allowed to enter a team of 12.

Three age groups under 14, 14 – 16, and 16 – 19 year olds, you could then have up to 3 players in a weight group. With a team comtpeition based on medal rankings so how do you pick the team?

Do you select the 12 players with the best chance of winning in a weight group? Or do you select the 12 players who have committed and turned up at training?

Do you have a policy that is open and people know what they need to do to get in, then select the top 12, or do you look at the event selecting suitable players – perhaps excluding good players because their chances in an age/weight group may be limited?

Judo is an individual sport but when you put a team together how important is team cohesion. Some sports like Netball may exclude some players at higher levels because they don’t fit the teams cohesion but may be better than players included.

In my case I took 18 players everyone available, not with other commitments or injuries, no-one was told of weights to make, they arrived and we weighed them, then selected the team. I know some where disappointed but as a team 8 out of 12 had podium places, we came 2nd in the team event But the best thing was though 12 fought we had a team of 18.

Everybody had a role and function during the day and there was no stars, every fight was watched and supported the good and the bad, no criticisms just strong support.

At the end of the day I came to a conclusion that a coach shouldn’t worry about selecting a team it is a coach’s job to build a team, the team is more than the individual player it is the essence of your club, its’ spirit. When you chose individuals to fight it is the spirit of the player and what it adds to the team reflecting its values is important.

I am a participation coach first and an elite coach second – perhaps that effects my judgement but your comments are appreciated.

Till next time.

Marc