In LHK’s match against Vipers in Kristiansand, we experienced a mob-like performance by Arne Senstad, head coach of Larvik Handball Club, just 4 minutes into the match. Then he took a timeout where he scolded the LHK girls in the worst imaginable way. TV conveyed everything he said. It was under any criticism and a coach unworthy.
It is not the first time Senstad scolds the girls. It seems that he believes that it is through intimidation, a culture of fear and discrimination that good performance is promoted.
LHK’s board and management should ask themselves whether this is the kind of culture LHK wants to have in the club.
For a club like LHK, it is, in my opinion, important to create a good reputation, where players gain trust, will come to the club and, above all, thrive in a healthy, good and inclusive environment. This again results in people wanting to come and see handball matches where the girls are bursting with joy and desire. Today, it seems that the culture of fear dominates. The girls become terrified of making mistakes and become insecure, which leads to more mistakes.
LHK currently has Norway’s best girls in both J18 and J20. These are girls that LHK must build on, and LHK must create an environment where players feel safe and motivated to learn and experiment. It’s important to give constructive feedback and encourage effort and improvement, even if they make a technical mistake or two.
I believe that Senstad’s mob-like behavior is completely contrary to good coaching practice. The home game against Vipers on 14 May should perhaps go without Senstad on the bench?
