Berlin Rebels GFL Seniors: 7 Fragen an Head Coach Joshua Mandel!
Joshua Mandel 2018 (leider gabs 2020 nicht so viele Gelegenheiten für neue Fotos)- Foto Christian Goßlar
Das Jahr 2020 hat uns vor einige Herausforderungen gestellt und war eigentlich eher zum vergessen.
Auch für 2021 sind noch viele Fragen offen und keiner weiß so richtig was uns erwartet. Dennoch gehen wir positiv und voller Zuversicht ins kommende Jahr und sehen Licht am Ende des Tunnels.
Bei den Berlin Rebels wird hinter den Kulissen schon unermüdlich an der GFL Saison 2021 gearbeitet und die Planungen laufen auf Hochtouren.
Einer, der ganz vorne mit dabei ist und auch 2021 jeden noch so steinigen Weg mit uns gehen wird, ist HC Josh Mandel.
Und genau ihn haben wir gefragt was es positives aus dem Jahr 2020 zu ziehen gab, vor welchen Herausforderungen Coaches und Spieler standen, was die größte Challenge war und natürlich welche Pläne und Erwartungen es für 2021 es gibt.
Da Josh Amerikaner ist und wir keine seiner Antworten verfälschen wollen und wollten, folgt das Interview in der originalen englischen Version.
This first Season as a HC definitely wasn't how we all expected. What was the biggest challenge this year for you?
The biggest challenge we faced this year was keeping everyone motivated. This Covid situation has been tough on all of us. Ultimately, the approach we took, as a staff and as an organization was to provide our players with the best opportunity to get better, even if the information of the season being cancelled was not always clear. I had a coach in my high school days that always said “you can’t take out of the bank what you don’t put in.” We strived as a team to work and improve so when the opportunity to get back on the field comes we will better off because of the work we put in. We practiced; we ran meetings either outside or on video conference. I think we know now the character of our players and know who wants to work and who doesn’t. Character is built in the offseason and that desire to become better is shown to an extreme level when you face adversity and there is no doubt 2020 was an adverse situation.
What's the positive outcome of this year for you as a coach and team wise?
The positive outcome for us was discovering who we can rely on as players and coaches. We know who can handle adversity; we know who will put in the work and become better no matter what the situation. We have to come up with solutions not focus on the bad, we focused on getting better but there is much more work to be done.
We all are very positive that we´re able to play in 2021. Maybe not like usual but at least playing. So what are the plans for the Berlin Rebels GFL Seniors in 2021?
Our plan is to focus on the process of becoming a great football team. We have to focus on what our weaknesses are in order to improve. That honesty and truth coupled with hard work will improve our play and focus. This is a step by step process. Nothing will happen overnight. We must maintain our focus on the little things in order to build something great.
What are the coaches doing at the moment? How does an “off season” look like for the coaching staff?
Our coaches are working on communicating with the players, staying on top of focusing game plans and play books as well as recruiting. I truly believe we have a great organization as a whole and a staff that can coach. We are an organization that wants to build players from the youth programs, the right way, to ensure the stability of the older groups. We want players to be long term Rebels and understand our truth and honesty as an organization. Doing things the right way builds trust.
What are your goals for the Team in 2021?
Our goals for 2021 are a step by step process. We need to focus on one practice at a time and one game at time. We must create a great practice atmosphere with intensity that puts us in game like situations in order to make game day situations and decisions easier to handle. I want our players and coaches to be able to think in those high stress situations because we have practiced those scenarios and prepared for whatever comes our way. The result of that work will take care of itself, brick by brick!
What's our first step when we're allowed to go back to practice?
Get stronger! Unequivocally, we must be stronger and faster. Our team is relentless and physical and that is a trait that I never want to lose. Teams know when they face us they are in for a fight, physically and mentally. That determination and ruthlessness can only happen when we are physically in shape so we can compete at the highest level with our bodies and minds.
The Berlin Rebels in one word?
Nasty!
Wir danken Coach Josh für seine ehrlichen Worte und können es eigentlich kaum abwarten, bis man uns wieder aufs Trainings- und Spielfeld lässt.
#BeDifferent
Josh Mandel mit Yasin Issa beim TryOut 2019- Foto Christian Goßlar
Josh Mandel beim einzigen Saisonspiel der U19 2020- Foto Christian Goßlar