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.

About 8 years ago I found myself in a very awkward position. As a lifelong baseball player and coach, I was being asked by my son’s recreation program director to help coach lacrosse. Seemed that the coach he had for the 7-8’s was a little too intense for those kids. Actually he was a little too intense for mankind. Picture the psycho coach from hell…on steroids! My son would come off the field in tears because this coach would be screaming at the kids… and this was during their pre-game stretching. Something had to be done.
Now you need to understand that a baseball coach even thinking about helping lacrosse is paramount to treason of the highest order. Yet, something inside told me to step in and help out. So the dilemma of possibly turning my back on the baseball world which I actually knew something about, and going into something I was completely unprepared for was very uncomfortable. Plus if I didn’t do it, some other poor schlep of a dad would’ve volunteered. And I figured that since I was a teacher and coach for 20 years I should be able to handle the challenge.
Making the decision easier was the fact that our program director was one of the finest lacrosse coaches in the country and he promised to take me under his wing. There were many occasions when I would meet w/ Jake Reed to get some new drills. I’d ask him for a ground ball drill and he would give me 4-5 of them. If I needed a man-up play that was easy, Jake would right it down, usually on a napkin. (Some of the greatest plays and drills in all of sports have originated on napkins!) Unfortunately, as I later looked at the napkin, all I saw were lines, x’s and arrows. I would have to really strain to figure out the order and sequence of the events… which is kind of important. (Just ask George Costanza when he was trying to do “Jerry’s Move.”)
I was extremely lucky to have Jake as a resource but it got me thinking of all of the other “volunteer” coaches who don’t have this resource. Most of those coaches are resigned to heading to the library and getting aged- books on the subject or worse, shelling out $50 for a 30 minute DVD. These coaches have the best of intentions and want to learn but there had to be a better way to help them.
Thus Kudda was created. We want to help all the coaches do a better job coaching and if we do a good job of that, ultimately it’s the kids who benefit. Kudda is dedicated to those coaches who want to be the very best.