Coaches Corner | Coach Interview: CALVIN MAYE
ETS would like to introduce you to CALVIN MAYE (Coach Of Oxford Utd u/16). We are very excited to have coach Calvin on the blog as Calvin was recently out in SA sharing his vast experience with the ETS coaches and players. This week on THE COACHES CORNER, Coach CALVIN shares some insight into his coaching journey so far.
Q: CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE US A BRIEF INTRO ABOUT YOURSELF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE:
A: I played from a very early age and was released by Reading & Wycombe Wanderers at 16 and went to play U18 football at local non league clubs.. soon progressed to playing Senior football at these clubs. Early 20s I tried again at higher level but juggling work and football was tough so dropped to play with my mates. Followed in Ryan's footsteps of coaching around 24 and obtained my UEFA B Licence and began coaching at Reading FC Development Centre before taking on Non League first Team Coaching positions at Slough Town, Didcot Town, Burnham and Lastly Holyport. My goal was to to work with a professional Academy set up and 3 years ago the opportunity arose at Oxford United. I also work at St George's Park home of England when I can delivering community sessions to grass roots teams from around the country. Really enjoy the hard work and being responsible for young players growing as people and players towards a first team contract. I recently obtained my QTLS Teaching qualification meaning I am now a fully qualified teacher. I start my FA Advanced Youth Award Level 4 in September and hopefully with this and my coaching & Teaching background a full time position within a Football club would be the dream in the future!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR PHILOSOPHY?
A: My coaching philosophy is build an environment fit for learning where players want to be there not have to be, then ensure that everything is player centred. On the pitch I set my teams up to be able to defend and stop goals, work hard as individuals and as a team. From That base we can then attack, I feel if you ask any kid any age to score a goal they can creatively do so own their own, not always the same for defending...
Q: IN YOUR OPINION WHAT IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL SKILL FOR A PLAYER/COACH TO MASTER?
A: Dealing with failure! This is tough mentally but if not understood or individual strategies to deal with can affect you physically and socially...
Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE NEW COACHES STARTING THEIR COACHING JOURNEY?
A: Plan, prepare, evaluate, reflect.... start again.... explore and try things but always evaluate and reflect...
Q: HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE DIFFERENT ABILITIES OF PLAYERS WITHIN YOUR SQUADS?
A: Player centred sessions, individual loads or challenges for players... you need to fully know your players and what aspects of the game you can challenge them. Try ghost coaching with a mate, one lead the other effect and challenge individuals through the session.
Q: HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH SET BACKS (POOR PERFORMANCES, INJURIES, LOSING, ETC)?
A: Good reflection, you can only controlSo much, reflect and analyse why, re plan and go again... do not dwell on things that have gin bad to much, ensure you have reflected, evaluated replanted and try try again....
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST LIFE LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM FOOTBALL?
A: The best lesson is to listen! To many times I've partially listened without fully listening... this includes coaches, managers, players, parents alike! you may not like or agree with everything someone says but by taking bits and appreciating others, building strong relationships will help you as football is a strange place sometimes not what you know but who you know... don't be afraid to try new things and open your horizons to new things....
Q: WHICH COACH/MANAGER INSPIRES YOU?
A: I look up to managers who creat an environment where players want to play for the manager/coach want to go the extra mile for them... such as Jurgan Klopp at Liverpool Mauricio potachino at spurs... you can see the positive relationship they have with their players...
