Although athleticism is something one can’t necessarily teach, it is very possible for a person to exceed expectations and defy odds when adequately driven. I have had the blessing of coaching some tenacious teams and developing players who previously had no idea they were endowed with gifts that make them so valuable in a team sport setting. I share this quick point to say that I look at talented adults in much the same manner. I know many incredibly talented adults who are scratching the surface of their impact on the world. Our metrics and our expectations shape our mindset. And sometimes you just need that one person to remind you to move the goalpost for yourself to truly make your overall vision achievable. Below I will share some findings based on my interactions with our incredibly resilient youth.
Losing
In my time as a coach, I have been blessed with new or developing programs where the objective is to teach students how to play cohesively without performance based pressure. Incremental gains are made game after game, a lot of reinforcement of the gameplan, and consistent effort until the clock drops down to zero. This year’s losses are learning experiences and have translated to a big turn around as players realize the importance of off-season training.
Culture
I, as I’m sure many other coaches at every level say “In the time that you are playing around at practice, another team is improving”. Jokes and silliness now translate to tears later. A unified commitment to hard work, trust and cohesion is imperative to the vitality of any
athleticsprogram.Self-Discipline/Motivation
Losing is hard. Practice is a major sacrifice. Corners are easy to cut, especially when you know no one is looking. Possessing integrity, showing restraint, shaking hands after you got stomped and to top it all off, the opposing team said some disrespectful comments to you during the game. A team that holds their emotions to the locker room or team huddle demonstrates a different, and arguably more important win… How we carry ourselves. The ability to come back and continue to give your best after a heartbreaking game, a losing streak, after being outplayed by a next level team or player. This is an important life lesson that the youth practice on the court or field before adulthood. Mastery of this internal control allows these individuals to confront pressure and overcome a myriad of situations throughout their lives.
Winning
The greatest feeling for a team is when they can put together a gameplan that scores more points than their opponents at the end of a game. One thing we all have to learn about winning is to start by keeping the wins small. Set quarter scoring objectives, celebrate effort and hustle, identify when players succeed. There are many wins happening around you, how many can you spot? How do we handle winning? Refer to #3.
Professionalism
One of the major benefits of joining a sports team is that if done correctly, it can be a major resume booster, especially for young people looking to add some much needed experience. Beyond the fact that you were on a team, getting more specific by adding the values and skill you gained from joining that team can give employers ease and confidence that a candidate can fulfill a role for them and will increase the likelihood of candidacy. Also, it can also be a great talking point for an interviewer as they get to know you. When someone can demonstrate professionalism in tough situations, it is surely noticed and respected. When someone handles themselves with a professional demeanor throughout the course of their lives, they are more often associated as winners and role models.
Role
As a coach, I have to build connections with every member of my team. A major part of the job is assigning roles. And you may think that it would be like casting for a school play- When young thespians see their part, there is an automatic feeling of joy or sadness depending on if they were cast as the lead, as an extra, or as a character they do not associate with. On a sports team, in my experience it’s a little different. The leads of our production are very visible. Their role is to lead the team by helping to set the tempo at practices, producing during games as well as carrying out the culture of the program. If the choice is reasonable in the eyes of the team, they will not refute strong leadership. I would not ask a novice player to play the part of their experienced captain. Although they hypothetically could be the same size and play the same position, they are two different people with two different skill sets. They have their own thing to do! Chances are developing players will get a simpler game plan and/or a different objective. As players increase in skill and experience the program internally will become more competitive. That means that the appointed leaders have to continue to show why they earned their spot. Everybody plays a role on the team and I find it really important to remind players of their roles when they inevitably forget. And players in a strong team culture shall hold each other accountable as well. Fulfilling a role is a trust based responsibility. The visible consequences for not rising up to your role are less playing time, diminishing responsibilities or removal from the team if necessary. Having a role establishes importance, and gives the players expectations to exceed.
So now, I turn this back to me… to you… all of us.
Take a moment, check in with the self. Out of the 6 aforementioned qualities, some good questions to ask are:
”How have I handled losses?” “What culture have I set/ What culture am I a part of?” “Do I carry myself with a sense of self-discipline/motivation?” “How often do I win? How do I handle my wins? Are there any wins that I am not acknowledging?” “What does professionalism mean to me?” “What is my role at my job? Among my loved ones? In life? Am I ready for more?"
Once all your questions have been properly answered, positive action can now be taken. Having these 6 things to focus on has given my teams and myself opportunities to hold ourselves to higher standards and continue raising the ceiling for growth. Please feel inclined to use some of these parallels and apply them where they feel most applicable for you on your journey to achievement. Congratulations in advance, champ in the making!
-Coach Midas