The terms “on”, “around”, and “away” are used to describe three contact points a coach can use within a game or training session to provide support to a player, unit, or team.

Coaching On

This refers to the individual with the ball. Typically the first contact point within a training session, the coach must consider the individual’s technical execution and their decision-making process.

Firstly, consider what the individual is seeing. What key observation points are they searching for, teammates, space, and the opponent. How does each one impact the decision-making process of the individual?

Coaching Around

This refers to the teammates in the immediate vicinity of the ball carrier and should be the second contact within a training session.

It’s important to consider how the individual’s support the ball carrier. What positions do they take up? Are they at an appropriate distance? Positioned at an angle? What is their body shape? If one of the players is to receive the ball, the process will move to coaching “on”. Therefore, considering the individual’s technical execution and decision-making process?

Coaching Away

The final contact point for a coach, coaching away, considers the players who may not receive the ball in the immediate moments but should still be impacting the game.

The players in this area will typically be impacting the opponent or pitch by creating maximum structural height, width, or depth. It’s also important to consider how these individuals remain connected to the game. Are they scanning, observing, and assessing their surroundings to consider how they may impact the game or provide support to the teammates on and around the ball. Is the individual prepared to become active should the ball move?