The players we are currently coaching are from Generation Z. We as coaches, most of us are from Generation X or Generation Y, so Generation Z the players, they have completely different basic requirements. They grew up in another environment then we as coaches were growing up in.

For us as coaches it’s very important to understand that.

Each generation has its own characteristics

So, for example, the Generation Z grew up with, the cell phones, they are virtually networked, but they have also a global connection with Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok, etc.

So, in our opinion, it doesn’t make sense to forbid all that

No, we need to use the cell phone. We need to integrate it as a good possibility. For example, let them film each other. Let them cut a small video about serve variations and what you will realize as a coach is that they do it even better than we as Generation X or Generation Y.

The characteristics of the Generation Z is that they can find a self-fulfillment which is really something they are able to express. They want to express themselves. So, we need to give them tasks to do that

Further they need instant feedback. So, they do something, and we give them instant feedback. We can film something, and we give them direct feedback. They want to have this instant feedback. It’s no matter whether it’s strength training or practicing technique or tactics. They get instant feedback on Snapchat and Instagram, so that is what they are used to.

We as Coaches need to understand that we are from another generation. We need to understand the characteristics of their generation.

• They want to be flexible
• They have short term thinking
• They have non-bending ideas
• They have a very fast pace

So, they switch. They switch, they switch. That’s a characteristic.

We cannot change it, but we can deal with it. We can use it.

We can then ask ourselves if it’s the player that has to adapt to us or us as coachces that should adapt to the player?

We believe that it’s us as coaches who has to adapt to our customers and their needs

A lot of time we tried to forbid things because we think that players need to be or they need to have the same characteristics that we have, but we need to remember that they are completely different. I’m convinced the power of a generation is too big. So, we need to adapt to the present generation.

An example would be the NextGen tournament in Milano. It’s a completely different tournament. Music is around, new rules etc. Are there new rules? That’s something the new generations wants to have. They want to express themselves. Another example is that today Air BnB is bigger than all the hotel changes. Hilton Hotels. That’s something for the past. Today, Air BnB. That’s what’s going to happen in the future. That’s generation Z. So we need to adapt.

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