What matters to you? When people discuss your program, what words and values arise?
In Bill George’s “Discover Your Truth North” he includes a profile of David Gergen who served four presidents - Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. He couldn’t believe the Watergate crimes because coworkers misled him. He learned the power of truth and transparency the hard way.
There’s no one “right” value. At the professional level, winning and money dominate. At lower levels we might choose effort, excellence, improvement, sacrifice, sportsmanship, teamwork. Toughness matters not only physically but emotionally as in resilience.
Bill Walsh’s “The Score Takes Care of Itself” is a study of excellence belonging on every teacher’s bookshelf.
Challenge arises to translate values into practice. Talk won’t necessarily work. Younger players may and do fear bigger, stronger players and contact. They may struggle with coaching sensing criticism over connection.
How do we make the distinction? My coach had an old school approach. “If I stop yelling, then I’ve given up on you.”
Rod Olson preaches “Speaking Greatness.” He shares “that was good BUT and that was good AND” are different. Review of Coach Wooden’s practices showed a majority of information quotes and “sandwiched correction” between positive remarks.
Let players know what we see as strengths and needs and what they can focus on to get more minutes and a bigger role. Dean Smith made it a habit to praise contributions to victory from reserves.
I want players and families to see the experience positively while developing resilience. If we’re playing the right level of competition we’re not going to dominate. If players improve individually and collectively and become worthy opponents, that works.
It won’t always translate at the local high school level because so many top players leave for prep and private schools.
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