Find a better way to coach collaboratively. Twenty minds should outperform one, the "get a lifeline" approach. It's not "my way or the highway" or "only I can solve this." We're all in this together. Usually, there's untapped local talent and experience available.
How would you "on-board" local coaches (imagine the combined boys and girls hoop coaches in your community)? An all-hands meeting called by someone with no authority? It could even be virtual (Zoom). Who "moderates" and what is the agreed upon agenda?
What is your shared vision? Mine would be a better basketball experience at every level and more success for the high school teams. Ask each coach to bring ONE or TWO IDEAS ("I've got two things for you") and the coaches discuss the ideas (don't make it personal).
What it isn't?
- Not a primarily social gathering
- Not a grievance session about facilities and resources
- Not networking to 'sell something'
- Not a hatchet job on existing high school coaches or athletic director (not implying an existing problem)
- Not a full-on coaching clinic
- Not a fundraising vehicle
What are primary goals?
- Improve the "player experience" at each level
- Improve the basketball integration between youth and high school
- Make retention of elite players more likely (a major issue)
- Pooling coaching resources (setting up teaching clinics and coaching clinics)
- What do "legacy program" models look like?
- Basketball curriculum from youth to high school
- Off-season programs at community facilities
- Off-season strength and conditioning opportunities
- Collaboration to unify philosophies across the system
- Problem solving (e.g. Zoom sessions)
- Building momentum for change in a community
- What makes sustainable competitive advantage?
- Improving access without high costs
