Thursday, October 22, 2020

Basketball: Coaches Anonymous, Who Seeks and Gives Help?

"Hi. My name is Ron and I'm a basketball coach." "Hi, Ron."

"Anonymous" help groups blanket society - AA, Al-Anon, and Alateen help people trapped in the vortex of alcoholism. Reality shows like "Bar Rescue" and "Hell and Back" give failing entrepreneurs second chances. 

Many experts praise mentoring, for example Atul Gawande, the surgeon-author who hired a coach. "Surgical mastery is about familiarity and judgment." Steve Kerr values mentoring as part of team-building strategies along with mindset and culture. 

But who's there for coaches who needs help? 


How do they come to coaching community attention? They're not sending out distress signals. One young coach insisted I address them as "Coach So-and-So" and not by first name. Seriously. As a doctor for forty years, I don't feel disrespected when patients call me, "Ron." Coach is a term of respect and endearment, more than a title. 

Sometimes, we all need an intervention and it's usually not because of X's and O's but communication, philosophy, identity, and culture. There are more bad players than bad coaches, but bad coaching causes more harm than limited players with restricted minutes and limited roles. 


What "red flags" pop up for programs adrift? 
  • Decreased participation. Strong programs create demand. 
  • Decreased community support. Fans vote with their feet. 
  • Lack of clarity. There can be no accountability without clarity of responsibilities. 
  • Low energy. Where's the buzz? 
  • Changing leadership and management. Organizational instability is telling. 
Influence links to "liking." If someone likes us, they may be receptive to our observations and even criticism. "What if" we spent more time on fundamentals, changed tempo, matched style of play to your team's athleticism? I'm not saying that a basketball whisperer can come in off the street and fix everything. But coaching is a nurturing profession and egoless peer support deserves more attention. 

Lagniappe: Be someone's hero. 


Lagniappe 2: Excerpt from Chris Dorsey, @GentsCoachD, Storm Offense


Lagniappe 3: From Slappin' Glass...creating separation 






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