“The intention is not to move the ball, rather to move the opposition.” Pep Guardiola.
Holding space is the result of good coaching. Players trust the coach enough to stay put despite what appears to be unfolding in front of them. And they trust each other to stay put because each knows what the other needs.
The space a youth coach holds for her players is less technical but no less important. Because in that space, is the collective doubt that it is not working. A collective of parents, kids, and the coach themselves.
This is why it makes no sense to me to have novice coaches working with young kids and inexperienced parents.
Good coaches hold the space in which kids need to work. Creating experiences that inform. Bad coaches move when the opposition moves.