Yesterday was my last day coaching the pre-season high school team.
After the final buzzer, we all sat together in the dressing room and I asked for feedback on the past 6 weeks.
What is the biggest thing you are taking away from my coaching?
Players raised their hands one by one and shared how things were going previous to my time with them and what they are moving forward with.
A couple of kids said the same version of this:
You gave us tools to reset after bad shifts, bad periods, and bad games. You let us speak and reflect on the issues we were having and then helped plan to attack those with us.
You didn’t just tell us we sucked and threw us back out there for the next period, you worked with us, like another teammate. Supportive and constructive, never destructive.
Last season we would get down 1 or 2 goals and the game was over. This year your attitude on the bench kept us upbeat and in games working to stop the opponent’s momentum.
Last year we would come in and argue and then quickly forget about the game, you encouraged us to reflect on what we were struggling with and attack it in the next period, next game, or next practice. We’re taking what we are doing out there more personally.
Give Them What They Need
They needed leadership. They didn’t just need it, they “craved” it.
So you can choose to write them off as a team that doesn’t get it, and ignore them between periods, and not lead. Which is what they got last year.
Or you can lead in a way they want to be led by asking them questions before you take over, during the season, and follow it up with getting feedback on how you did as a coach when it’s all over.
Find out what they crave, and then move the ball forward in that area.
Lead them, because deep down they want to be shown the way.
They’ll thank you for it when it’s all over.
Thanks for making me dig in and improve as a coach. Thanks for letting me lead you.
Give them the tools, let them work with them. when they are equipped…
Ask them to pass them on.