In the first segment on team leadership, let’s look at how teams elect their leaders/captains. Being a captain is something that should be seen as a privilege and is earned; not something that someone is entitled to have.

Players Choose
In a typical sports setting, the coach gets nominations from players and then takes a secret vote to see who the top 2-3 vote-getters are. But who typically gets elected? Is it the team leader? Is it the best player? Most popular player? Generally, players choose the best players to be their captains. In some cases, it’s a right of passage to elect the best 2-3 players, regardless of leadership ability. Or they pick the player that has been on the team the longest; the player who made the team as freshmen. There is almost a sense of entitlement that these types of players are typically elected captains. However, experience, talent and ability don’t always equate into leadership.

Coach Choose

There are coaches who will bypass this election process and choose the players they feel are the leaders. The captains are chosen by the coach, not the players. The benefit of this process is that the leaders do become captains. The negatives is that the players’ opinions have been ignored, which can come back and undercut the efforts of the captains. Several years ago I ran into a new coach who took over a team which had already elected the captains who were the 3 best players. However, each was very quiet, introverted and had no ability to lead the team. After a disastrous season, the coach took it upon himself to elect the captains for the next year. He chose the 3 players who were hard workers, very talented and exhibited strong leadership. Sure enough some of the more talented players, (and their parents) felt slighted and the players felt some initial resentment that they didn’t have a say in who their captains were. Fortunately, the captains did their job and instilled a work ethic in the team that had been lacking and things settled down. In the long run, the coach picked the best leaders.

Other Methods

There are some other methods for choosing captains. According to Janssen’s book, The Team Captain’s Leadership Manual, 60% of teams have the players or the coach chose captains. Other teams have players nominate and then the coach makes the final decision. Some teams, like the Nebraska football teams under Tom Osborne, had a Team Council that was comprised of various segments of the team.
And there are programs/teams that don’t elect captains; they let the natural leaders “just happen.” Unfortunately, too many coaches want leadership to “just happen” and end up leaderless through the season.
Our next segment will be about how to create leadership opportunities for your captains and ways that coaches can help to develop their team leaders.

So what does it take to be ranked #1? Many of the top teams have been there year to year. For new programs, chances are that you might not get there for a few years as your program is established. Once you get into this elite company, however, what does it take to stay there?

Some observations from watching McDonogh play. First, McDonogh has the athletes and speed. Most of the core group have been playing together since 4th grade. Combine that with some excellent coaching, you have some of the parts for greatness. Lacrosse wise, the following also help!!!

• Controlling the draws,
• Tenacious defense,
• Solid goalie play
• Pinpoint Shooting
  
• Transition offense using speed

Granted RPCS is also an outstanding program as are the other teams in the IAAM. Right now, McDonogh’s athleticism and speed are overwhelming their opponents.

Ingredients for #1 from Kudda on Vimeo.

Coaching in these games is difficult because if you continue to score, you’ll embarrass your opponents by running the score up. Coaches try to prevent this by playing their bench or playing defenders on offense. Realize that if you empty your bench, they want to score as much as the others. And the defenders moving up to offense? They’re even worse about wanting to score!! In both cases, everyone wants to score! You still end up running up the score.
If you play keep-away, you embarrass the other team by “teasing” them.

We’ve seen some other “tactics” that actually embarrass the team more than if they just continued to run the score up.
For example, one of the prep schools here in Baltimore had an extremely big and fast RB at the middle school level. After giving the ball to this guy 4-5 times straight and having him run for touchdowns the coach decided to switch it up in an attempt to exhibit “good sportsmanship”. This star RB was also the 3rd string QB so the coach moved this stud to QB. OK, sounds like a nice gesture. Unfortunately, the coach called for QB draws and options which enabled this player to run for 2 more touchdowns. Basically they took the “handoff” out of the equation. When he was challenged by the opposing coach, the coach responded that this player was the 3rd string QB and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
Lesson here is to make sure that your intention is actually effective.

Coaching Strategies in a Blowout are sport specific. I’ve noted some of the basic strategies we’ve seen exhibited but would welcome more ideas from our viewers.
These are strategies for the dominating team.

Basketball:
Defense- go into a tight zone where every player has to keep one foot inside the lane. This will allow the other team to at least get to shoot.
Offensively, Have a 5 pass rule or “windshield wiper” rule. Players have to complete 5 passes or get the ball from one side baseline by the 3-point line to the other side. Or possibly limit their shots to ones off of backdoor cuts or from a pick and roll.

Lacrosse:
Defense, everyone has to have one foot in a zone (girls: be aware of the 3 second call for being in the 8M)
Play off-hand. Work on the weak hand. Try to get something productive out of the game. Possess the ball for either a certain number of passes or a certain length of time.

Soccer:
Play possession. Get the ball into the offensive zone and then switch fields while bringing the ball back to defenders Focus on changing the attack.
Avoid- Keeper Sweeper or playing with fewer players. These tend to embarrass the other team and make your team appear to be cocky.

Baseball:
Bring in your players who don’t pitch that much. Could be painful if they can’t find the plate.
Offensively: You don’t want to bunt… that’s just plain disrespectful. Have your players work on hitting to the opposite field.
What you can’t do a whole lot about:
If their pitcher can’t find the plate. You don’t want your players swinging at bad pitches and developing bad habits.
If their fielders can’t field. Your team puts the ball in play. As long as they’re not knocking it over the fence, really nothing you have to do. Just don’t bunt.

There’s a balance between running the score up and embarrassing the team by exhibiting certain strategies that actually backfire.
If you have the right attitude and approach, you could go up to the opposing coach and say, “Coach, I’m aware of the score and we don’t want to run it up. I’ve got my subs in and we’re going to work on switching the field, connecting 8-10 passes before we attack the goal. We’re still going to be working hard and I know your team is still going to work hard.” Maybe say this at halftime (certainly not after 2 minutes… that’s a little arrogant!) Hopefully you’ve already talked with the coach and have established some connection with them.

Kudda welcomes comments and other strategies/tactics that coaches can use in a blowout situation.

Ideally, in a perfect world you want to play at a level where your team goes .500. That reflects that you are winning some and losing some. You’re in the right league! Hopefully the games are also closer and more competitive. If you have a higher winning percentage, then you might have been better served playing at a higher level, and vice-versa. So how do you decide which level to play?

1) What are your goals? Is it to instill a winning tradition? Is winning the most important thing to you and the players? Does winning give you a lot of self-esteem at the office? Get to brag to your co-workers and the boss? Then by all means “sandbag“ at a lower level.
But if your goals as a coach is to challenge your players in a competitive atmosphere, teach them many of life’s lessons, such as losing and handling adversity, then you might play at a more competitive level.

2) Check your ego at the door. Take a step back and take a realistic look at the talent of your players. Think of “lipstick on a pig”. Just because you have them playing at the “A” level doesn’t make them “A” level players.

3) Use your experience. If you’ve been coaching the same team for a year or two, go back and look at your record and decide if they are ready to move up. If you’ve dominated the “C” level with this group of players, obviously move them up. If you’ve struggled, check the ego and move them down. Look at your players. Have you gained or lost the better players?

4) See what the leagues dictate. Often, the leagues will dictate what level you play. If your town has 4 or more teams, then the top teams have to play at the “A” level. If your town has only 2 teams, that’s when you may decide which level.

Big picture, make sure that you realize that it’s THEIR experience, not yours. Make the decision that will enable them to be in the most competitive league where they will experience some victories and some losses. There’s nothing wrong with going .500 if you’re in the right league.

With the start of games, comes the start of the “Pre-game” speeches. What do you say to your teams to get them in the best possible mental state of mind? Do you go over situations? Do you yell and scream and get them excited? Do you try to give a Knute Rockne speech?  Or how about an amazing motivational speech like Gene Hackman in Hoosiers?

Unfortunately, what we see in youth sports are coaches who try to do too much before the game. We see coaches who feel that they have to give the “Hoosiers” speech every game. It might work once but gets old real fast. We often see coaches who want to go through all of the possible situations that their 9-10 basketball team may face. After a few minutes, probably even seconds, their team isn’t listening or they are simply overwhelmed with the amount of information as well as the amount of energy and excitement.

Here are some Kudda- proven guideleines to make your “pre-game” talks more productive.

• Players are excited, and coaches are excited. Coaches need to be calm. Take a few deep breathes to settle down before addressing the troops.

• Keep them short and simple

• Location, location, location. Make sure there is nothing behind you as you talk, nothing that would distract your team. Therefore, don’t stand in front of your bench and talk while the other team is warming up behind you. Have your team turned away from the field when you talk with them.

• Prepare what you will say. Write it down and stick with it. All too often coaches try to “wing it” and go all over the place. Then they get too excited… see number 1.

• Give them 1 or 2 thoughts to focus on. Hopefully these are 1-2 areas that have been emphasized during the week.

• Give them something specific to focus on. Something for their extremely short-term memory.  “First shot, BOX out!!” “First ground ball is OURS at all costs!!” “Everyone touches the ball before we attack the goal”.

• Reinforce their strengths. Too often coaches remind players of their weaknesses right before games which defeats the purpose of getting them mentally fired up.

• Save the great motivational speeches for that one key game/moment of the season. Prepare that speech, write it out ahead of time and practice it. What sounds good in the shower, or in your commutes, may not sound as inspirational out loud.

1) Define a role for each player and communicate that with the player. One of the most important qualities of a coach is to be honest with their communications with a player. Let the player know that they will be getting a few minutes every game and that their job is to play great defense against the other teams’ leading scorer. Or possibly their role is to possess the ball and get it to another scorer. Need to communicate with that player and honestly let them know what their contribution to the team will be.

2) During practices, call out their names. This lets them know that you’re recognizing their efforts…and that you know their name! People like to hear their name being called.

3) Whenever possible, use their efforts as positive examples. Point out during practices what the player is doing well to the rest of the team. This gives them the recognition and satisfaction of knowing that the coach is noticing them.

4) Focus your “awards” to areas that bench players can excel. Many coaches give out daily, weekly or seasonal awards for various qualities. Rather than recognizing the MVP or the All-League players (the starters), choose awards for Hustle, Unselfish play, Effort and Sacrifice to the team. Maybe you recognize Spirit, Sportsmanship and Dedication. Focus on these types of awards and in your presentations, give those players their much deserved recognition.

5) In any communication, game summaries, school paper stories etc… give recognition to some of the bench players for the roles that they have. Give recognition to them for working hard as the scout team and that’s why the team was so well prepared. Again, give them recognition.

We’ve included more ideas from our video series on handling coaches from Coach Mac
<p>You need a browser that supports iframes and flash to view this content.</p> <p>

Handling the bench players:

• Takes a conscientious effort on the part of the coach
• Can help build great team chemistry
• Can make it a positive experience for all players, coaches and parents

As coaches begin their new season, they will be communicating their expectations to their parents and players. Often times, coaches will substitute or supplement their expectations with Team Rules. “Don’t do this… and Don’t do that…” Then the coach will spell out the consequences for violating the team rule. BIG MISTAKE!

Coaches, here is some friendly advice from the experts at Kudda.

When you spell out specific consequences to violations of specific team rules, you’re boxing yourself into a corner. What if your star player is 2 minutes late for practice? According to your Rules, he will not play in the next game. However, it appears that the player was late because his car broke down or the bus broke down. No what do you do? You’ve boxed your self into a corner with your RULES.

Unfortunately many coaches only relationship with their players is that as a Rules-enforcer. They will only talk with that player after that player has violated a rule. The entire coach-player relationship is predicated on rules. Not healthy.

Rather than spelling out specific rules and specific consequences, why not make positive statements? Explain what they SHOULD do.

• “Players WILL make good decisions in the best interest of the team”
• “Players WILL be positive citizens within the school community”

And if you feel the need to add consequences, make it simple

• “Failure to do so will be handled on a case by case basis”

You’ll still be able to handle the players in a consistent manner, which is very important, yet not be predicated to act based on a RULE.

Two thoughts to take with you;

1. Focus on developing a relationship based out of respect…not fear or enforcement of rules.
2. Avoid creating a set of consequences for violating rules.

Many of us are starting the Spring Season and this is just a quick reminder of different things that we coaches need to address.

1. Clearance to coach- make sure you have registered and have completed your background checks
2. Found a team mom/dad/manager to help organize snacks and other events for the team
3. Have 2-3 assistants lined up?
4. Take your assistants out for a “coaches meeting?” Make sure everyone is on the same page
5. Submitted your roster to the league?
6. Registered for end of season tournaments?
7. Made hotel arrangements for out of town tournaments- team mom
8. Create list of new coaching tactics, ideas that you want to tryout this season- Need Ideas?
9. Double checked your equipment bag?
10. Uniforms?
11. Pre-season parents meeting- see other blog article
12. Develop a coaching philosophy and stick with it? See previous Blog Post
13. Developed practice plans in preparation for first contest?
14. Developed contingency plans when practice is canceled?
15. Created/developed a TEAM WEBSITE that can help foster communication?
16. Make sure you have insurance!!! See link to K&K
17. Distribute the Practice and Game Calendar

Kudda HIGHLY recommends that coaches hold a Pre-season meeting with the parents. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with the parents and help them understand what to expect from you. Take the initiative and be PRO-ACTIVE.

Avoid these Common Mistakes coaches make in this meeting:

• On the field right after practice or game. Parents are not listening to you as they are more focused on getting out of there and on their way home.
• Don’t prepare for the meeting. Coaches attempt to wing it and talk at their parents for 20 minutes. Parents lose focus after 2-3 minutes and your message is not received. You also run the risk as appearing unorganized and this will cause the parents to wonder about how you organize practices and games.
• It‘s all about the Rules. “Don’t do this and Can’t do that.” Takes on a negative tone.
• Coach TALKS for the entire time. Again, very ineffective.

Here are some ideas of topics to cover and how to efficiently reach out to the parents

1) Have VISUAL PowerPoint… lots of pictures and Images rather than text. Use this as a guide and for the parents to see while they listen.

2) Have other handouts such as

• Expectations
• Philosophy
• Schedule both practices and games
• Contact info

3) It should be a requirement for all parents to attend and it should be held in a setting where there are little distractions. We suggest a separate room or a place where people can sit down. When people stand, they lose focus quickly.

4) Philosophy- here’s your chance to tell the parents what you’re all about as a coach. What do you value and what is important to you? Is it about winning the championship or to improve everyday?

5) Expectations- Kudda recommends that you give a handout of your expectations to the parents. Some coaches have both the parent and player sign this sheet. During the meeting, refer to it, mention 2-3 of the main ones and then move on. DON’T spend the entire meeting going over every expectation

6) Have the captains talk- give your captains the opportunity to exercise some leadership. Have them talk about why they love the sport and what they hope to accomplish this season.

7) Have team mom talk- Allow your parent liaison a few minutes to share their plans for the season. This allows them the time to get snacks and refreshment signups going as well as sharing any news about team events.

Review schedule- Give them a handout. Point out Key Dates only

9) Example of practice see examples

It should NOT be a RULES meeting. Be upbeat, let them get a sense of you as a coach/ person

With the beginnings of a new season, coaches are presented with the opportunity to positively influence another group of players.  As mentioned in previous posts, I’d highly recommend that coaches get the books by Jeff Janssen on coaching leadership. While you come to Kudda to help you become a more Competent coach, and you read Janssen books to help you develop leaders, there is still one major area that can make or break your season that you do have some influence on and that is Team Chemistry. There has been a lot of debate on Team Chemistry; can it be made or is it dependent on an act of nature? We all know that teams that have that tight chemistry, overachieve and tend to be much more successful than teams that are much more talented. So what can coaches do to help promote Team Chemistry?

Note that are various types of Team Chemistry. In the military, it’s called, “Pain-Retain”. Think back to all of the classic war movies where a group of soldiers go through basic training with the Drill Instructor. (I’m thinking Full Metal Jacket!!) At the end, that group becomes a cohesive unit. (minus Private Pyle) Well, that style probably no longer works in coaching as it may have 30-40 years ago. The successful coaches today are all about “relationship coaching”, creating a family type atmosphere. Here are some of the techniques and strategies that those coaches utilize to help promote and foster team unity and chemistry.

It all  starts with the coach clearly communicating their philosophy to the team. As discussed in an earlier post, the philosophy has to be something that the team can control while focused on the journey. Coaches also do a great job of letting their players know that they care about them. It could be the result of lots of sidebar conversations or scheduled weekly meetings. Coach John Wooden hand wrote notes and letters to each of his players.

Coaches are also all about keeping traditions. These traditions help to foster chemistry as players share some common experiences. For the UNC basketball teams under Dean Smith, traditions emerged that are now part of most programs. Simply standing for players as they come off the court or huddling up before free throws help build this sense of tradition.

My thoughts are that while the team chemistry really has to come from within the team, the coach can certainly create the structure and platform to promote this. It takes a conscientious effort on the coach, but when you realize the return on this additional investment in your team, it’s well worth taking time to help foster.