Excuses, keeping players from being their best

High school athletes have a hard time recognizing what they can control and what they can’t. Unfortunately we see a great deal of finger pointing and wishing other guys would “make the play.” This pattern is all too familiar for coaches. The message stays the same, worry about yourself; focus on how you could have made that decision successful. Players really are making excuses for themselves, and ultimately an excuse to not be the best player they can be. When athletes start to experience a slight change in their perspective, attitude is typically the first change for the better.

Not all athletes will experience this, as each athlete is an individual. For those that do, the process varies and timing is often different for each. Some will take it and be able to change, some will be resistant and take longer to comprehend it and some will never be able to make the adjustment. The whole issue comes back to accountability and maturation as an athlete and teenager. Typically players who are able to change are the ones who see more minutes, innings and plays, because they have can be counted on to make the right decision. These are the players that I love to coach because they want to get better and make their teammates better, unfortunately though not all will be able to take this step.

Players who make excuses have a hard time taking accountability for their actions and decision, practices often feel not as productive. As a coach these types of players are frustrating, take the high road and ultimately cut back the playing time. Doing this puts the ball in their court and puts the pressure on them to grow up and start to be more accountable. As the coach, I always have an “open-door” policy with players. Players who come and ask about how to earn more playing time get my full attention and support.
   

Right from the start, players know how they will see playing time. Playing time is like gold to teenagers. Coachability is big in my book; a players willingness to take coaching and get better is right at the top of the list. For players to be coachable, there needs to be accountability. When players understand there is a process to getting better and it takes time, hard work and does not happen over night. Coachable players are an asset for any team as they are dependable and can be counted on to make the play.

Part of it...be confident

Before each game I feel a great deal of nerves, nerves not knowing what will happen or how the game will go. In my mind I know that it will go well because of how well I prepare and how much attention to detail I put into the planning and preparation. I know the kids will compete and do their best. In the classroom if things go wrong, students will be okay and perhaps we can share a laugh.

I want to be the best I can at all times. I have always held myself to high and realistic standards. I expect to be the best I can in all that I do, in daily life, as a teacher or as a coach, why? Simple I take a great deal of pride in my work and I care a great deal about the kids. I am genuine and I hope the students and players are able to display how much time and effort we all put in.

The emotions come and go after the first few minutes or innings, once I have "settled in" and the element of the unknown has started to decrease. The important thing to remember is to maintain composure and try to anticipate any mishaps or places where flaws could happen. As a coach I care a great deal about my players. I want them to be in a place where they are able to succeed. If players are successful, then our team has a better chance of being successful.

Tony LaRussa, arguably the best manager in baseball ever, said if one does not feel nerves then one does not care. This was in reference to coming back to coach the All Star game in KC.

As a coach, I take a great deal of pride and care in my players and there development. Over the course of a season seeing a team, a group of boys, aspiring players transform into baseball players and young men, dealing with the unknown, a solid trade-off.

The Never Ending Challenge

What is the one thing every coach has to deal with all the way up to the pros? Playing time, no matter the team sport, no matter the level, playing time is always an issue. It comes from players, and all to often parents feel the need to give their unsolicited point as to why their player needs more time, innings, more minutes etc. I think you get my point because experiences like this are inevitable for any coach.

As players start to enter the more competitive ranks of sports where there are not rules concerning playing time it is important for coaches to take the time and explain how players will see minutes. I have this conversation early in the year and have it more then once. This way, there is no confusion amongst the players and there is a standard and clear expectation right from the start as to how one will get playing time. In the process this gives us as coaches more to lean on and refer back to when confronted by a parent. In addition it makes the player more accountable as to why they are getting the minutes they are.

There are a few ingredients I use to help determine playing time. The first is attendance at practice, can't play if you can't come to practice. Make the commitment and you will be rewarded. Attitude, one needs to have a good attitude while at practice, this plays into coachability which is equally as important. Attitude and coachability mean players are willing to listen and take the time to get better. Effort at practice goes a long way and playes into the two previous aspects. Players who never take a rep off and  practice at a high level throughout practice are able to play at a sustained high level come game time.

It is always a challenge to deal with playing time. I have found the ability to embrace the challenge because it is part of competitive sports, so it will follow me wherever I go. It helps with other aspects of team chemistry because it helps teens have perspective as well as mature as an athlete. Having clear expectations will help players understand how to get better and make the effort to do so. Clear expectations puts the accountability on the player to do their job in order to get playing time. Challenges are what make us grow as individuals, embrace them come up with a resolution and all will benefit, players coaches and parents.

Quality coaches wear many hats

In my last post I spoke of a conversation I had with a middle school principal regarding the importance of developing relationships with students and players. I whole heartily agree that success working with youth in any capacity begins with the relationship we as adults develop with our players, students, campers or whomever. Relationships are going to build the foundation for an environment where the kids are able to take risk, grow their confidence and be able to raise their level of achievement.

Having relationships with players and students that go beyond the sport or content covered in class will help students perform at a higher level because they do not want to let the coach or teacher down. This shows in student work or improvement from game to game, practice to practice or over the course of the semester. My experience is when my players feel like we have a positive relationship they are always eager to share stories or give evidence of what we were covering in practice.

Coaching high level athletics I see more from my players then I do students. My theory is that a roster of 12 or 18 players as oppose to 100 students makes for a more comfortable environment. Because sport manifests itself as competition, my experience that players feel a stronger need and sense of urgency to perform at a higher level. Perhaps it is irony, that amongst the sweat of competition and striving for superior performance, there seems to be a strong sense of comfort.

In my experience, building relationships with players and students I become more then a coach. I began to play mentor, confidant or counselor. I know that teenagers are less willing to take advice from parents at this age, they have come to me for guidance and support and seeking answers as they try and figure out life as a teenager. Maslow says that when people are safe they will be able to feel more comfortable trying new things and be more willing to step outside their comfort zone. There is no better example then coaching youth and teens.  

Where I've been, Experiences I've had

While I was attending Western Governors University to obtain my teaching certificate in secondary social studies I was unable to maintain this blog. I have since graduated and am looking forward to new opportunities, challenges and experiences that this post-baccalaureate degree will bring me. As I do so I intend to share my experiences and lessons in this blog. I feel as people we can share with others the most valuable experiences as we all try and navigate the game of life.

Last year I was the 8th grade basketball coach, I was offered a spot on the high school staff for this year. I was honored and privileged to be given this opportunity because this group of freshman are a special group; Incredibly athletic, high basketball IQ and hungry to get better. At the end of the 8th grade season I knew they were special, so having the chance to coach them again this year was an incredible opportunity. These three adjectives are a coaches dream so I knew immediately I wanted to home to the high school with them.

As an adult and as a coach, I am always looking to be better. I am ambitious with my career as well as with my personal characteristics. I have learned a great deal about coaching high school sports from these guys as well as have been reaffirmed that what I am doing things right. The boys are smiling, positive with each other at practice, we can joke with each other, it is really fun to be around them and to be together as a group. The other side is parents are happy as well, they are a supportive group and so knowing they are happy with whats happening is important for me as well the future success of our program. My contribution to this environment is making it fun as well as developing relationships that go beyond the X's and O's.

When I was done with my student teaching, the principal told me my ability to relate to students beyond the material, whether basketball or humanities will pay huge dividends for me over the course of my career. This was probably the greatest compliment for me because I have always felt this. To hear it from the principal reaffirms that I have chosen the right career and will be able to make it rewarding and enriching for me.

It is important to remember that all individuals have something to offer, youth and teens do as well. I like to think I am a "student of the game" part of that is realizing I can learn from my players just as they are learning from me.