By John O’Sullivan, founder of Change the Game Project

“My daughter and I had to miss her grandfather’s funeral when she was 12 for a cheerleading competition.”

I had to read that twice to be sure what I was reading. This was an actual comment we received recently on Facebook. We receive a lot of heartbreaking stories from readers, but this one sentence stopped me in my tracks. The mere thought that the funeral of a parent would play second fiddle to a 12-year-old cheerleading competition simply boggles the mind.

We hear incredible tales of missed family events, as well as coaches ordering players to skip siblings weddings and other life events. We hear of injuries that used to only occur in college age players now occurring weekly in kids as young as age 12. We hear about families forced to choose between supporting their child’s emotional and psychological well-being or allowing them to continue playing high-level sports for an unaccountable, bully coach. But missing a funeral took the cake.

“When will what we know change what we do?”

This was a question posed on a call the other day with the Quality Coaching Collective, a first of its kind group of dynamic authors, speakers, researchers and coaches from across the globe that I am honored to be a part of. All of us on the call work everyday to shift the paradigm in youth sports and physical literacy. We work with organizations to make the changes to their mission, values, coaching and accountability to make sports more user friendly for the kids involved. The question we all ask ourselves is this:

Why doesn’t science, research and coaching best practices drive our youth sports model?

Sadly, it’s because youth sports and physical movement education have become, in far too many cases, more about the needs of the business of sport than the needs of the child in sport. When over 70% of kids quit sports before high school, it is their way of telling us that this model is not working for them.

It is time for what we know to change how we do things in youth sports.

We know that playing multiple sports and getting adequate rest and time off is a key component to preventing injury and burnout.(click here for American Society for Sports Medicine position statement). We also know that in many sports less specialization prior to the teenage years is a greater predictor of elite level performance. Sadly, what we do is continually force children to specialize far too young, increasing the dropout rate and resulting in an up to 70-90% higher injury rate according to this recent study by Neeru Jayanthi.

What we know is that autonomy, enjoyment and intrinsic motivation are critical components of long-term sport performance, according to researcher Joe Baker, author of the critically acclaimed book Developing Sport Expertise. What we do, all too often, is take these away from kids. We limit a child’s ability to try many sports by forcing him or her to choose one far too early. We focus on outcomes (did you win?) instead of enjoyment (are you having fun?). As a result we prevent kids from developing the intrinsic motivation to continually improve, and to be driven to succeed without us having to even ask.

What we know is that a coach’s words can leave a lasting impact on a young athlete. A coach’s influence is never neutral! We must be intentional about everything we say and do with kids. Sadly, what we all too often do is allow coaches to treat young athletes in a way that we would never allow a teacher to treat a child. We allow poorly trained and behaved coaches to continue to work with kids, even after numerous incidents of poor behavior, because they win a few games. We allow coaches who are demeaning under the guise of being demanding. And, as author Jennifer Fraser found in her great book Teaching Bullies, we even ostracize the children and parents who try and stand up to coaches who treat others poorly.

What we know is that no young athlete says “I love it when I can hear my dad yelling at the officials.” We know that the vast majority of kids, when asked “what would you like your parents to say on the sideline of your games, emphatically say “NOTHING!” What we do is attend our children’s games, coach them on every play (“Pass, shoot, hustle!”) and disrespect officials, often over inconsequential calls. Then we become outraged when children disrespect other authority figures in their lives and ponder “where did they learn that?” Spend a weekend on the sports field. Kids hear what we say, but they imitate what we do.

What we know is that research says the #1 reason athletes play is “FUN!” Though an 8-year old might have a different definition of fun (learning new things, being with my friends) than an 18-year-old (being pushed to be my best, high-intensity competition), they still speak to the importance of enjoyment. What we do too often is take the “play” out of playing sports, and say “we are here to work.” Kids don’t work sports; they play them.

What we know is that randomized, games-based learning promotes creativity, decision making, assessment and more transferability to competition. What far too many coaches still do, unfortunately, is promote blocked/massed practice, endlessly repeating the same technique over and over to “get our touches in.” It’s not that this doesn’t have some effect, simply that it’s about the least effective way to make use of your limited team training time.

What we know is that clubs who follow a proper athletic development model, and craft a mission statement and values focused on developing the person, not simply the athlete, will create more loyalty and greater player retention than those who do not. What we often see are organizations that pay lip service to child development and values, and do not hold parents, coaches and athletes accountable for upholding those values. What a huge abdication of responsibility and lost opportunity to really make an impact on kids.

What we know is that sport development is all about the process and long term focus. There are no overnight successes. Failure and adversity are all part of the process and focus on excellence. Sadly, what we do is operate out of fear. We get caught up in short term outcomes (did we win this weekend?) vs the focus on continuous improvement (what did we learn from losing that will help us get better?).

Finally, and most importantly, what we know is that what our children need most, after a tough game, is something to eat and to know that we love watching them compete and play. They don’t need a critical recap on the ride home. They don’t need their coach’s decisions questioned, or teammates criticized. Just love them, unconditionally, and take into account their state of mind before you offer up your thoughts on how to get better.

When will what we know change what we do?

How long can we keep ignoring the research and evidence on sporting best practices?

Change will happen when great parents and coaches stand up and build youth sport organizations and school programs that serve the needs of the kids. Change will happen when the silent majority take a stand against the vocal minority of adults who care more about the bottom line than the welfare of children.

Change will only happen one family, one club and one town at a time. As author Carl Safina writes, “one doesn’t wait for a revolution. One becomes it.”

Let’s align what we know and what we do. Our kids deserve it.

Changing the Game Project  is a site that is your one stop shopping for  the latest and greatest information, research, and best practices regarding high performance, motivation, Long Term Athletic Development, fitness, nutrition, college recruiting, and more.

 

 

This article was sent to me by Dennis Hutter Coach Hutter is the Head Women’s Coach at Mayville State University. Dennis also has a coaching website. The URL is http://www.coachhutter.com/

I believe that the vast majority of these points can be applied to coaching any sports.

Six Ways to Create Culture Within an Organization – Andy Stanley

1. Name It – Create a name for it, easiest part – MSUWBB = “The Comet Way”
2. Brand It – Phrase, Idea, Terms, Slogans, Images
3. Wear It – “Model It” – Leader must be seen doing this DAILY
   People can see it in the leader, what the leader sees in them

4. Teach It – Have to teach it intentionally
   Talk about it enough to get ALL on the same page

5. Institutionalize It – Make it part of the “rhythm” of the organization, Schedule Daily
6. Recognize It – When you see something, say something

What is rewarded, will be repeated

Make sure you are always trying to find ways to praise your players, when you find or hear about them representing the team and the culture on a high level:

**What we try to do here at Mayville State WBB, is when we receive an email or a note, or a tweet about a player or players representing our program at a high level we will print off that note and hi lite their name and write a quick note saying ”thanks” and put into their locker room.**

Improvement creates momentum within a culture and organization.

Great organizations are always evaluating and always inspiring:

Evaluate what they are doing.

Inspire what others are doing.

“Pride of Ownership” – if we did not come up with the idea – we don’t want to look like we are copying or borrowing – A BIG REASON WHY SOME CULTURES DO NOT IMPROVE OR MOVE FORWARD.

We are not looking for our best ideas, we are looking for THE best ideas.

Improvement involves change – people are not always excited about change.

There is a big difference between a “personal commitment” to something and a culture of something.  Personal commitment means the person at the top is committed, but no one else it, a culture is an attitude throughout the entire organization.

Culture Defined – Organizational Culture is the personality of the organization “How things are done Here”

In great organizations culture is created, in bad organizations culture is inherited.

Eight Ways to Infuse Passion into Your Team – Cory Dobbs

1. Keep your fire burning
2. Take charge of your moods
3. Listen to teammates and players
4. Be there for others
5. Act with integrity
6. Be genuine
7. Refrain from excuse-making
8. Men broken fences

Coaches want players who serve to inspire those around them to do things that will make the team better – WE WANT MORE OF THESE PLAYERS

A fun energizing environment is much more productive than a routine and stale environment

Celebrate and get excited about the successes and accomplishments of your players and teammates

THE SUCCESS OF ANY ORGANIZATION, GROUP OR TEAM IS GROUNDED IN THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF LEADERSHIP – Cory Dobbs

“Arete Hoops” – How Process Praise Makes You More Resilient

Children who receive “process praise” (i.e. – the things within the child’s control:  hard work, effort, perseverance and diligence, etc….) were more likely to develop a resilient approach towards difficult challenges later in life

The children who received “process praise” when they were younger were more motivated learners and ended up doing better in math and reading compared to their peers, who were praised for their talents or innate abilities alone.

When we make it clear to our teams that a commitment to the process is the only key to success, we are giving them the tools to be successful both on the floor and in life

BEGIN TODAY TO HELP YOUR TEAM DEVELOP THE MENTAL TOUGHNESS IT NEEDS TO PUSH THROUGH THE UPS/DOWNS BOTH IN ATHLETICS AND IN LIFE

Are You Absolutely Positive??? – PGC Basketball

If a customer is within ten feet of you, you have ten seconds to speak to them and look to serve them in some capacity – IS THIS A DAILY OCURENCE WITHIN YOUR PROGRAM???

Whether one realizes it or not, each of us is selling something to those around us every day. We are either selling positive or negative – which is it for you????

DO WE CONTRIBUTE OR CONTAMINATE PRACTICE

Wake up every morning with one drive in mind – TO SERVE OTHERS

Set a goal to do something special for someone TODAY, who isn’t expecting it

Attention flows where energy goes

“Quit Being So Stinking Hard to Play For” – PGC Basketball

One coach will impact more people in one year, than the average person does in a lifetime – Billy Graham

Coaches should be passionate about changing the lives of young people every day

Desiring fair treatment – is the mindset of the mediocre

Far too often, our identity becomes wrapped up in our overall win/loss record

As coaches, we fall victim to the power-empower-power cycle

Power-Empower-Power Cycle – that is where coaches start out with the power, and then through trust and time, start to empower some of the players within the team.  Then when things are not going well or at some point, the coach takes the power back from the player(s).

Coaches – giving away our power is one of the greatest gifts we can give as a coach

If we fall into the power-empower-power cycle, the players will view us as the enemy rather than the ally.

When the pressure to win is prevalent, we as coaches, stop directing and start demanding

The best coaches around have the highest level of accountability

If players can discover how to pursue greatness on their own, it will become a life-long virtue

Does your “WHY” match up with your “WHAT”????

We should be in constant pursuit of being the coach that one day players reflect on as a hero!!!!!!

Mayville State Women’s Basketball Culture

Over the past six years we have developed, built and maintained our Program Culture – DAILY

We have branded our Culture as “The Comet Way” – this exemplifies everything we do within our Mayville State Women’s Basketball Culture

A lot of what we do today, was taken from the book “Leading with the Heart” by Mike Krzyzewski

Four “cornerstones” of our “The Comet Way” Culture are:

Academic Development

Leadership/Teammate Development

Player Development

Servant Leadership

Here are some of the ideas that we do within each cornerstone of our Culture:

Academic Development

“Basketball may have brought you here, but it is not why you are here” – getting your degree

Study Tables at least twice per week with players AND coaches

Progress Reports for players

Constant guidance to make sure players stay on track to graduate

Academic Planners

Player Notebooks

Program Weekly Schedule

Leadership/Teammate Development

Players will have a difficult time growing and developing if we don’t give them a chance to lead, have to give some our “power” as coaches away, and allow our players a chance to lead and grow.

Effort & Attitude – Have an “attitude of gratitude” – Have players write “thank you” notes to people/supporters/professors, etc……………….

We are trying to build strong relationships within our program – DAILY – player to player, coach to coach and coach to player.

Relationship Building Ideas:

Sign In Sheet Every day for Players

Personal Notes/Texts to Players praising positive traits

Individual Player Meetings:  Discuss Family, Classes, Basketball – IN THAT ORDER

Leadership Council for Players

Academic Involvement with the Players

Trust = Character + Competence – Character is who you are as a person, competence is your ability to do your job

Communication is the “glue” that keeps our Family together

Peer Coaching – Player to Player Coaching

Player led practice sessions

Post Workout/Practice Notes to players & staff

Player Notebooks

Team Meals

Player Development

“The single best way to improve the team, is to improve the individual skills of the players on that team”

When I get better, WE get better

Individual Development Workouts

Game/Practice Film Sessions

Player Notebooks

Tough Competitive Practices built around player/team improvement

Servant Leadership

Campus/Community Service Projects – Find a way to get players involved with campus/community

Be the “Helping Team” both on and off the floor

Vets/Rookies – Veterans helping the rookies become a part of our family

Summer Camps

Must read Books for Culture & Leadership

The Power of Positive Leadership……………………………………………….Jon Gordon

You Win in the Locker Room First……………………………………………….Jon Gordon & Mike Smith

The Hard Hat………………………………………………………………………………Jon Gordon

How Lucky You Can Be………………………………………………………………..Buster Olney & Don Meyer

Inside Out Coaching…………………………………………………………………….Joe Ehrmann

Relentless……………………………………………………………………………………Tim Grover

The Big Book of Belichick…………………………………………………………….Alex Kirby

The Legacy Builder………………………………………………………………………Rod Olson

By Ralph Isernia, Head Football Coach, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

I would like to thank you for inviting me to share an article with the readers. It is extremely humbling after 27 years of coaching and 8 different teams, someone is asking for advice in building a team. This article contains some of the keys that I believe are key components in building ‘Championship Culture and Team Excellence.’

“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle

All coaches know about the importance of creating a dynamic culture for their football team. In order to understand what it is we are trying to develop, start at the beginning and define what culture is, how we can develop it and how it can produce team excellence. I define culture in four aspects:

* The ideals that a particular group values as an expression of who they are.

* How the group implements and upholds those ideals.

* How the group works in concert with those ideals to achieve their ultimate goals.

* How those ideals and their importance are passed along to succeeding groups.

Coaches know the importance of team development as it is reflected in discipline, work ethic, competition, accountability, teamwork, trust, togetherness and love. As coaches, it is our responsibility to establish and develop the culture of our teams. We “engineer” that culture – as it refers to designing or building something, such as a machine or a structure. Our team culture is a living, breathing organism. It is a machine that grows and changes as our team’s dynamic changes. The five keys described here help engineer your culture to develop team excellence.

1) Start with You

If you follow the advice of sports psychologists and performance coaches, they would tell you to “start with the end in mind.” Examine yourself from another’s perspective. If your life were to end today, what would others say about you? How would you be rememberd? What impact would you have had on others’ lives? It is a morbid thought, for sure, but

one that deserves attention. If we desire a life that is fulfilling, rewarding, in the service to others, one that is dedicated to the ideals that we hold dear, then we need to live with intentionality and integrity in serving those ideals. So, start with you. Get clear with your vision. Your ultimate vision will forever drive you and your entire program. Once you have uncovered that vision, everything else will begin to fall into place. But first, get real with yourself.

Pursue the best version of yourself that you will ever be. Maslow said, “What a man can be, he must be.” So, you might as well do what you love, love what you do and do it your way. Stick to your vision, for it was forged from your character – who you truly are. Your character is the result of your values being habituated.

Self-discovery and introspection may take some time and deep reflection, but the results will be uniquely yours and deeply meaningful. What is your identity? What is your vision? Who are you and what are you here to do? Develop your Plan for Success – your 3 P’s: Purpose, Passion and Principles.

* Purpose: Who are you and what are you here to do?

* Passion: What are you excited about and why?

* Principles: What do you truly value in your life?

If you want more, you must become more. You must discover and define your Purpose, Passion and Principles in order to live a life of integrity; one that is in harmony with your true principles and values. Only then can you fully actualize your life. Start with “I” statements and just write, don’t over-think. Fire, ready, aim. Just get it down on paper, then refine and revise. Ultimately, you are asking yourself the questions, “What kind of coach do I want to be and what will it take to get there?” The answers will drive your philosophy and shape the culture of your program.

2) Mission Statement

The Mission Statement is the ultimate structure of your organization. It is derived from your vision and personal plan for success. Remember to lead within your style and beliefs because a team will always take on the personality of their coach.

Your mission statement will characterize how your plan for Success drives the fundamental core of your program. Be deliberate and detailed with the characteristics or your program. Do not ask your team to do that which you would not otherwise do yourself. Direct the behaviors that you want your team members to exhibit. It must be MEAN-ingful:

* M: Memorable

* E: Easy to teach & learn

* A: Accountability is demanded

* N: Never let up

I have found that a Mission Statement of 1-3 sentences is most effective. A 5-7 sentence statement can be used as long as there is some rhyme or rhythm to the text. This statement is a fundamental of your program. Just like football fundamental skills, it must be practiced over and over again. Demand commitment until automaticity. Team members and coaches should eventually be able to recite your statement on command. Memorize it, believe in it, and own it. Remember, thoughts become things and constant repetition and deliberate practice will ingrain the fundamentals of your program. Be deliberate with your teachings, direct your team and demand full accountability.

3) Buy-in

The “Buy-in” stage is the most important component of building your culture. It involves more moving parts than the previous ones. The members of your organization (players and coaches) must completely commit to the direction of the program. You will encounter three groups of people when implementing your plan:

* “One Guys”: They are with you from day one, they are your elite leaders, they yearn for change, committed to the cause, they want the discipline, structure and commitment. They believe in your vision and are aligned with your values.

* “Some Guys”: They will side with the view that is most popular or can give them the greatest reward, they are swaying with the breeze, they dare not go against the breeze for fear that they may break, so they bend to the side that has the least resistance. This may be the largest group, so the coaches and Bunker guys must get them to buy-in because it is right.

* “Un Guys”: Un-interested, un-reliable and un-caring. Use ultimatums, commit or quit. There may be some skilled players in this group or guys that could really help your team. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. You cannot compromise everything you believe in for short-term success. Committed members will see right through your intentions and view you and your ideals as a fraud. Remember, character counts.

Once your team is formed and full commitment is established, you must train every day. Ask the question, “What type of player do you want to be and what will it take to get there?” You have provided a blueprint for their success. All you need is their commitment to the team. Everyone must be speaking the same language in order for you to accomplish your goals. Members will feel that they are making sacrifices for the team. Get them to understand that they are making choice instead of sacrifices.

The result of their collective “buy-in” will be a force greater than any one individual alone. Synergy, where 1 + 1 = 3. The sum is greater than its parts. Where one board is strong by itself, two boards together are exponentially stronger. In engineering terms,

they are not only sharing the load, they are supporting each other at the same time. Synergy is hard to calculate or quantify, but you know it when you see it in your team.

4) Relationships

Your team will never care what you know until they know that you care. So, sail the right ships – relationships. Never overlook the opportunity for a “teaching moment.” This could be anywhere, on the field, in the office or in the hallway. Sometimes the most-meaningful interactions are the ones that are unexpected, unintentional and unscripted. Embrace positive coaching that emphasizes discipline, character, grit and togetherness. Coach and teach within your personality and your genuine care and love for your individual team members will shine through.

* What do you value in a player?

* How do you recognize it?

* How do you drill it?

* How do you reward it?

* Reward the behavior you want.

Every member of your organization has value and a voice. No one person is bigger than your program. Provide constant communication, evaluation and feedback. Be honest and compassionate. Give them a plan where they can see themselves having success. You must trust them and they must trust you. Trust is a must. Help them plan out their goals and ways they can strategically take small steps to achieve them. Help them cultivate willpower and determination knowing that their achievements will take time. Small, smart choices done consistently over time will produce amazing results. In order to become a vehicle of excellence, they must become a machine of routine.

5) Evolution

Every day, you are either growing or dying. You must evolve as a coach, teacher and mentor. Adopt a growth mindset, constantly learning new systems, paradigms, and dynamics that will enhance your program. If you grow, your team and players will grow with you. Understand that where your focus goes, your performance and energy go. As you keep moving forward, remember you can only control what you can control:

Your…

* Attitude: Solutions-based not problem-based. Proactive not reactive.

* Actions: Be true to yourself.

* Preparation: Have a plan, work the plan. The Process.

* Performance: Demand your best.

* Energy: “Bring it” every day. People will feed off your energy.

* Effort: If you are not working on culture every day, then you do not have one.

* Determination: “Unwavering commitment to finish the job, stay the course and never, ever quit.” – Mark Devine

We attend clinics, visit coaches, learn new schemes and examine football systems to win on the football field. We read books from Lombardi, Wooden, Bryant, Summit, Auriema, Sabah, Carroll, Meyer, Belicheck, Walsh, Dungy and Parcells. These people are icons in the coaching profession and we can glean a wealth of knowledge from their experiences. To help us grow in our relationships, build our teams and understand how to help others, we should study the works of Maslow, Erickson, Cuddy, Duckworth, Galloway, Dweck, Canfield, Locke, Hardy, Covey, Kight and Cain, among others. The lessons learned from these experts can help us grow as individuals and fully engineer our success.

This was designed to be used in a football program, but can be modified to use in any sport.

The best use of any post that I make is to put some sustained thought into editing it so that it becomes what you want to use in your program.

You can print it to a pdf or to paper by clicking the print icon from the sharing icons above. They are below the title of the article.

Athlete’s Pledge

Name:_____________________

To be a member of this team, I know it is an honor and a responsibility. I am no longer an individual; I am a part of a family. Within the family is a brotherhood/sisterhood. Being apart of this brotherhood/sisterhood has its costs and responsibilities. I make my commitment to uphold and protect the legacy of my family and my brotherhood/sisterhood.

I pledge the following:

I will give my very best effort towards receiving a quality education.

I will strive to be a complete player.

I will conduct myself in a manner that does not draw unwarranted attention to my family, my school, my team, and my position players.

I will when on campus and in the classroom, cause no problems for myself, my teammates and or my teachers.

I will be the best possible student that I can be and to make sure that my grades will not jeopardize my good academic standing. If grades are in doubt I will make every attempt to make all study hall sessions and get help from my teachers and attend all tutorials.

I will follow all rules and regulations laid out by the (fill in your sport) program.

I will treat others the way I would want to be treated.

I will work towards knowing all my assignments and become a student of the game.

I will play with Character – “Play as hard as I can, for as long as I can”.

I will play with Pride – “Know that I won’t quit when it gets tough”.

I will be mentally Tough – “Accept discomfort and coaching and learn to live with it”.

When I walk out onto the field/court/track I represent:

My School.
My Teammates.
My Family.
Myself.

I know that when I take the field I represent all those that came before me and that have worn the colors of my school and all those that will come after me.

Now it is my time in history. I pledge that before I leave, history will remember me as a champion both on and off the field of play.

I Promise To Follow These Vows:

Players Name: _________________________ Date: ___________

About the Author of this post:

Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.

This was written by Indiana University Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, Ed Schilling. Ed also has several years of experience coaching at the high school level. I believe that the lessons are applicable to any coaching situation and sport.

Exposing a Thief of Team and Individual Success

by Ed Schilling

One of my favorite things about athletics is the friendship and comradery that develops and strengthens throughout the course of a season. Memories from the really good teams that I have been a part of are not my statistics or minutes played. Those most meaningful memories are the brotherhood, the friendships, the good times in the locker room, and the joy of “going to war” together. Ask a professional athlete after he retires what he misses most, and he will probably tell you that he misses the relationships and putting on that uniform with his teammates and going to battle with those whom he has poured out blood, sweat and tears.

As great and fun as athletics can be, the joy can be stolen and the unique opportunity to form life-long friendships can be easily missed when the vision shifts from the “we” to the “me”. The goal in sharing insights from over three decades of my playing, coaching and parenting is to help max out the enjoyment, the recognition, the improvement and the winning and avoid the “thief” of these of athletic delights.

Enjoyment

“If you want to be miserable, all you have to do is be selfish.” –Joyce Meyer

“Happiness ends where selfishness begins” –John Wooden.

When playing high school basketball in Lebanon, IN, we had a team that had a blast together. We loved playing ball with each other, whether in the park in the summer or in the gym during the season. We trusted in each other and believed that we had each other’s best in mind. As a result of our trust, we became one of the best teams in the state. Although I later played on a Division 1 conference championship and NCAA tourney teams, I probably never had more fun and enjoyment than I did with that high school team. Perhaps the foundation of the positive experience laid in the fact that neither the players nor the parents had selfish agendas. We wanted to win and we cared about each other. I learned a significant lesson from that team—if one wants to really enjoy the experience, then value the others on the team.

By the way, those parents had a great experience too. They didn’t worry about the coaching, stats, newspaper articles, rankings or awards—they positively supported and encouraged instead of complaining and manipulating for their child’s “benefit”. I have come to the conclusion after many years in athletic, that an athlete cannot truly enjoy the experience if the parents are negative at home. Players listen and absorb what the parents say and carry the emotion of home into the practice and games. If the parents are “killing” the other players or the coach, the player cannot help but to be impacted. The negative impact steals the joy from the game, ultimately hurting the team. When the atmosphere is positive and encouraging those attitudes are reflected in the energy, enthusiasm and effectiveness of the players.

Recognition and Promotion

“As the tide rises all the boats rise.” –John F. Kennedy

A misconception is that individual stats get players opportunities to play at the next level.  The truth of the matter is that every team has a high scorer. Scoring a lot doesn’t make or break a player’s future opportunities.

 If a player can “play”, college coaches recognize it.  Playing well and helping the team win ultimately produces more recognition than getting big statistical numbers.

Yes, “as the tide rises all the boats rise.”

There are examples after examples of players getting attention and promotion because of team success.  On the other hand, if the team doesn’t win, chances are that college recruiters will be skeptical of a player’s ability.  Of course, one cannot promise that when players (and parents) channel their energies into making the TEAM the best it can be, regardless of the player’s role, that everything will work out perfectly.  However, one can just about guarantee that if players (and parents) focus on personal stats and selfish agendas, promotion and recognition will be thwarted.

After decades in the basketball business, I cannot recall a single example of when a player got upset and “concerned” over numbers or minutes played where proved to be helpful to the player or to the team.

Preparation

“If you STAY ready, then you don’t have to GET ready.” –-David Dawson

The players who don’t get to play in the game or don’t get a lot of minutes in the games are still almost always required to be at every practice and are expected to give their best effort at the practices.  This is a challenging part of athletics.   The attitude and effort given by that “bench player” in practice will significantly impact the team’s success.  Further, the attitude and effort will significantly impact the “bench player’s” potential to do well if, and when, he gets an opportunity in the game.

Unfortunately, I have seen the opposite happen so often when “bench players” lose their drive to practice with passion, then when their opportunity does come in the game, they perform poorly.  Further, staying focused and passionate on the bench during games is important. 

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” –Robert Frost

In every player’s career, he will often come face to face with the temptation to turn his focus toward himself and away from the team. What direction the player chooses at that “crossroad” will impact his future success, the team’s success, and also the quality of the player’s experience.

The decision to turn selfish can be prompted by a well-meaning family member, a peer looking to encourage, or even a sports agent trying to help make his client appear more marketable.

Subtle comments like, “you ought to be playing more minutes”, “you were open a lot and didn’t get the ball”, “you need to score more”, “don’t understand why so and so shoots so much”, “you are being played out of position”, “you need to show the scouts your shooting range”, etc., etc., can be the little spark that sets the forest of selfishness ablaze for the unsuspecting athlete.

The “disease of me” can affect the leading scorer or the player at the end of the bench. This can also impact a coaching staff member as well. An assistant coach who thinks his ideas need to be used more readily by the head coach can fall victim to the “sickness of selfishness” which could potentially weaken the team.

Cancer

One of Merriam-Webster Dictionary definitions for cancer: “something evil or malignant that spreads destructively”

When a team member (players and/or coaches) comes to the crossroad of moving his thoughts (which eventually will become actions) from what is best for the team to what is best personally, that negativity spreads on the basketball team and is detrimental force. It must be dealt with like cancer. Cancer treatment is often immediate, aggressive and fierce. To rid the body of cancer may require painful surgery or chemotherapy that uses strong chemical agents to kill the cancer cells. Perhaps you have heard of a player being referred to as “a cancer” on the team. A bad attitude acts like cancer to the body of a team. One player with a bad attitude has the potential of soon becoming two. Misery does love company.

The potential to be sucked into unhappiness is available to all who play. The “strong chemical agent” on a team is the head coach and it is often he who must recognize and diagnose the most appropriate treatment to rid the team of the cancer. However, the assistant coaches can be significant in helping cure the selfishness if it is caught in time. In many situations, a fellow teammate can see the “sickness” brewing and can try to save the player before he becomes too contagious.

Tornado Watch Vs. Tornado Warning: “A tornado watch is just to let folks know to be on the lookout for a possible tornado as conditions are favorable for one to occur in the area; whereas, a tornado warning is a notification that a tornado has been seen in the area.”

The key for a team is to understand that conditions are always right for a self-serving tornado to wreak havoc on the team and to be alert. And, if a selfish and bad attitude has been sighted, then urgent measures must be taken to protect the team from potential and pending disaster.

Protect What Matters Most

“Gentlemen, we will be successful this year, if you can focus on three things, and three things only: your family, your religion and the Green Bay Packers.” –Vince Lombardi

Athletes invest a lot of time into their abilities. Players put in at least the required two hours plus per day of practice in season, and additionally work out in the weight room. The time investment into a season is almost impossible to calculate. That time is wasted if a season is corrupted by selfishness and negative attitudes. The good times, the life long relationships, and exhilarating victories that are prevented by a team infected with the horrible “cancer of selfishness” are worse than lost for they never happen when selfishness invades a team.

A Final Warning

The wise coach, athlete and parent will be constantly aware of the dangers of the insidious “disease of selfishness,” the thief who has the potential to steal, kill and destroy the unsuspecting athlete and team. Alertness and protective actions facilitate the highly positive desirable by-products of being part of a team—incredible enjoyment, recognition, life long friendships and victories.