Without a doubt, all coaches want to win every contest in which they are involved. However, deciding not to focus on the outcome often leads to greater rewards of improved play, happier athletes and, ultimately, success. Concentrating on the process of performance, rather than the outcome, allows players to control their ability to succeed. Control leads to confidence, and confidence leads to better performance.
When planning training sessions keep the following tips in mind:
BAD IDEAS
Inappropriate exercises.
Unflowing sessions.
Too much talking by the coach.
Too much time spent on setting up or explaining the exercises.
GOOD IDEAS
Simple to complex development in exercises.
Flexible session to adopt to needs and abilities of players.
Painting clear concise pictures for the players to learn from.
Encouraging players to ask and answer questions.
Coaches have many responsibilities: their families, community and church, the athletes on their teams, and the students they teach. That role model responsibility is also an opportunity.
Handling Criticism
Every coach will receive criticism from parents, media, alumni, or fans at some point in the season. The way that you handle that criticism can be a strength or weakness in your public relations image. Suppose at a key point in a game, you make the wrong decision. It affects the outcome of the game. You might be able to get away with the error by blaming it on other factors, or your can tell the truth. The question arises: “Coach, why did you switch from man-to-man to zone with a five point lead and five minutes to go when the man defense had been helping you so much and had kept you in the game?”
How many times do you begin a season unable to recall certain plays, exercises, or practice you have used to teach a certain technique or philosophy? While the fall season is still fresh in your memory, write down:
1. Your best plays
2. Ideas for next year’s offense and defense.
3. Exercises you developed to teach your system
4. Areas of individual improvement to share with your players.
5. Ideas you picked up from other coaches and teams.
These ideas will pay big dividends next season!
The disease of bad language infects almost all of today’s youth and sports as a whole. Is your game immune from profane language? Unfortunately, no.
Becoming a good coach involves not only learning the principles of the game. The effective coach applies the knowledge by delivering it to the players at the right moment in a learning fashion. The teachable moment is the instant when you identify a mistake to correct by showing the players involved a preferred option or choice. The off-season can be especially valuable for teaching fundamentals and other integral parts of the game.
Giving handouts on occasion to the players and parents is a good idea to remind the group of important themes and re-invigorate the group to critical messages. Each group is tied together under one flag, behind one purpose - develop the players in a supportive, positive, disciplined, and challenging environment.
With extensive experience in sports marketing, I often see many connections between the business side of the game and the coaching side of the game. Think about the following business-model questions and how they apply to your role in teaching your players and elevating the game.
Hope springs eternal as you and the team begin a new season. The best part is starting over each player, coach, and team can get off on the right foot. To do this, a fresh and positive attitude needs to filter from the coach and through the players.