Coach MikeMak.com shares leadership concepts from Clint Hurdle.
1. Leadership never takes a day off. Kevin Eastman reminds us "you can't fool kids, dogs, and basketball players." Coaches need to communicate, add value and bring energy every day.
2. Players have to trust you before you can coach them. Communication buys trust and trust creates loyalty. When players are unhappy with their role, they need to know what they can do to earn a bigger role.
3. Listen before you change anything. Bob Knight would say that you need your absolutes, but you should be flexible when issues arise (e.g. time of practice) that players care about.
4. Leading can be lonely. The coach's job is to make decisions in the best interest of the team. That can lead to "Sophie's Choice." Sometimes a coach will need to dismiss a player or players when they go off the program. Take the high ground.
5. Let voices be heard. Hurdle's idea of "three up, three down" is powerful. Players share what goes well and what doesn't. Life is often about doing more of what's working and less of what isn't.
6. Three encouragements for one negative. "Shout praise and whisper criticism." Players need positive voices, including the ones inside themselves. John Wooden preached the 'sandwich technique' mixing correction in between positives.
7. Confrontation is important. Players need teaching, correction, repetitions, feedback, and refinement. Remember a core concept that "basketball is a game of mistakes." Good players don't habitually repeat the same physical or mental mistakes.
8. Fear has a short shelf life. My Dad would say, "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar." When coaches add value, treat players fairly, and with respect, there's a good chance that players will play hard and together. My daughters had an AAU coach who would remind players, "that's not how we play." Teams need to learn who they are and how they will play and treat each other.
