Simon Hennig is a very good example of club loyalty. The flawless Nordlicht only knows changes of function. Even as a child, the 34-year-old was a member of the SG Flensburg-Handewitt. He embarked on a coaching career very early on and has been supporting head coach Aleš Pajović since last summer. This is the first time the SG has relied on a coach from "its own stable".
Simon, when do you start preparing for a game?
Simon Hennig: It varies a lot and depends on our calendar. If we have two games within 48 hours, I actually start with the video analysis of the second game first and compile the relevant scenes. Then I take care of the first game throughout and switch back to the second game once it's finished. In January, I also watched all of our first games again and picked out the relevant scenes - for the second games.
How can we imagine the exchange with Aleš Pajović? Is he a real boss or do you often have discussions?
Simon Hennig: I have a lot of trust in Pajo as to how I do my work and what I pay attention to. There are no restrictions. We then talk about tactics, with Ljubomir Vranjes also involved as sporting director. I see myself in an advisory role. Pajo has questions about how I see things. I also contribute tactical ideas. Ultimately, however, it's Pajo who decides what we do and communicates it to the team.
How are your tasks distributed during training?
Simon Hennig: We often only have one training session per game. It's then very tactical. I make sure that we control the attack and defense according to the opponent's profile. If I notice something as a whole, I talk to Pajo. I talk to individual players individually.
What is your normal daily routine for a home game?
Simon Hennig: I start quietly and do a bit of physical activity myself - be it in the gym or on the bike. Sometimes I also have appointments. I take two to three hours to watch videos of the opposition again so that I can put everything into my short-term memory and know as many moves as possible. I arrive at the GP JOULE Arena two hours before kick-off. I go through the tactics again with Pajo. I go to the technical meeting, pay attention to our team's schedule and speak briefly to some of the players if necessary. Then, when the lights go out, I relax and go to my seat.
And what do you do on the bench for the 60 minutes?
Simon Hennig: I observe our attacking concept and talk a lot with Blaž Blagotinšek, as he moves between the pitch and the bench the most of all the players. It's all about details. If Pajo wants to know something, he comes to me. I also keep in touch with the referees. During the break, we coaches talk to Ljubo - right before the team meeting.
What's it like after the game: are you then busy analyzing or are you already looking ahead to the next task?
Simon Hennig: I analyze every game. If time is too short, I sometimes go straight on to the next game and then do a double analysis later. In the DAIKIN HBL, this also involves evaluating the referees. This is usually better than before in the hall, where emotions and the reactions of the spectators also play a role. In Germany, we have a really high standard of refereeing.
