I’m going to be treading on thin ice with this post…. Thin ice because, I think I sound a little like a dream killer with this post, and that is certainly NOT what my intentions are! One of the most important jobs we have as coaches is to build kids up, inspire and motivate them! We try to get them to work with passion towards being their best. But, I think words matter, and that it’s important to not use words or phrases with kids that will ultimately mislead them. The ‘big lie’ that I am referring to in the …
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If you recognize, and love, that quote from the movie Talladega Nights…. then, this post probably isn’t going to be what you’re expecting. Because, even as someone that considers himself a highly competitive person, that saying (more specifically, the mindset it represents) drives me nuts! I hate the concept of all that matters is winning. Make no mistake, that in no way means that I am one of those every one deserves a medal guy! To the victor goes the spoils! is what I believe. However, I do believe that there is actual value in the process of competing and …
Simply from a pure numbers standpoint, it’s easy to see how…of the 3 major U.S. sports…basketball has become the most individualistic. Football has 22 different starting positions….throw in special teams and it’s even more. Baseball has 10 different starting positions (except in the Natioanl League, with only 9). Basketball has only 5 starting positions!! Add in the fact that fans want someone to idolize, and the media is all about hyping ‘superstars’…..basketball too often slips down the slippery slope of an individual becoming bigger than the team. Case in point: the 2018 Cleveland Cavaliers. They have on their team, arguably …
Having been off of the sidelines for several years now, I realize that all jobs/professions/walks of life, have their own unique sets of hardships and difficulties. And, those difficulties are generally not understood by those outside of that profession. But honestly, coaching doesn’t really look all that hard does it? Kids grow up playing and watching the game (insert any sport here), surely you wouldn’t actually have to teach the intricacies of the sport. You’ve listened to the experts on TV analyze and talk about the game and it’s strategies ad nasuseam. So much so, that all those ‘in-game’ decisions sound pretty …
I’m just a simple old has-been coach that started this blog to share some coaching thoughts and experiences in order to hopefully give fellow coaches some things to think about. Unfortunately, politics have made their way into the sports arena again,so I thought I would share some thoughts on this subject. I have some hesitation in doing this because I don’t want what I’m saying to be misunderstood…..it is not my intent to add to the discourse. Personally, I applaud anyone that sees injustice and truly wants to do something about it. Our words and actions, are what they …
Old sayings become old sayings because there is a lot of truth to them. Like the one above….it means that doing something wrong in an attempt to ‘get back’ at someone that has done you wrong, isn’t the right thing to do. Solid advice for teams and life, for sure. Well, I would like to twist that old saying up a little and present it to you as an important message for any team: ‘Two rights, make a wrong’ That sounds stupid….but I think baseball is the easiest sport to give an example of how this could apply to a …