I know I'd have a next-to-impossible time sitting silent on the sidelines during a match while my team was playing. I've always felt that games are the best form of practice, and adjustments made in a true game situation are often the ones that are the most beneficial in the long run. I also personally feel that if there is a true bond between team and coach (and there should be, I think, for best performance), then hearing that voice out on the field helps to maintain that connection and reinforce the lessons learned during the week. Even if it's just a steady voice of encouragement rather than direct instruction, it can affect the way a team plays. From a player's perspective, I know I've heard criticism from players on several different teams I've coached about other coaches who simply sit on the bench the entire time the team is on the field. One of the most pointed was, "Well, if the coach doesn't care what they're doing on the field, why should they?"
