As coaches, teachers, and leaders we become STEWARDS of our program. Our position charges us with overseeing the program, the team, and the individual players. We have a great opportunity to become positive (or negative) forces in young people's lives. But we need them to "buy in" by "adding value" in a way they can see.
Part of that task involves identifying problems and doing our homework to craft solutions. I like to use visuals to help players see the teaching points of who we are and how we play.
Former Navy SEAL Brian Hiner reminds us, "Good leadership usually brings good followership. Bad leadership will almost always destroy followership." Effective leadership doesn't just happen. Yes, some people have natural leadership traits, but we can cultivate communication skills (listening and speaking), learn to add move value in skill development, and study how leaders succeed or fail.
A good steward knows what her team needs and when. When players or your team struggles, bringing a "second helping" of correction, criticism, or something worse isn't 'creative engagement'. It usually feels like 'piling on' or 'adding insult to injury'. After a not-so-well-played victory, reminding players "what is unacceptable in defeat is unacceptable in victory" can sometimes be better absorbed and tolerated.
As organizational leaders, we make mistakes. Coach Mike Neighbors shares some here.
Here's an example:
I TRIED TO DO TOO MANY THINGS
This mistake shares a lot of crossover with the previous one we just talked about. It stemmed from years of observing and collecting ideas. I wanted to start this. And implement that. Wanted to have this and that. Wanted to promote our program in this way and that. I wanted us to travel this way and that. I wanted our locker room to have this and that. You get the picture.
Pictorially, it's this:
A good steward puts her people in the best position to succeed. That might mean playing a "system" and bringing in players to fit the system or adjusting how you play to the personnel available to you. From the opening practice, I've emphasized a few themes:
First, "we play fast." I'm selling it as "learn to fly." We're small and athletic and the running game gets everyone engaged.
Develop a culture where valuing each other matters.
Pace and Space
Basketball teaches a grand symmetry...get quality shots (offense) and give one bad shot (defense). Create separation (cutting and passing) and deny separation (ball pressure and denial).
The good steward makes it easy to create good followers.