Let younger athlete run BIG meets to learn how to lead.
I wrote this post a month ago, but never posted. During a Thursday night coaches social, we discussed leadership. The conversation inspired me to revisit this post.
Every good team has great leadership. No matter how great a coaching staff, a team needs peer leadership. In my years of coaching, I have had a mix of leadership ability and styles on my teams. Some leaders are great, others have caused issues. In my younger years, I let leadership happen. If an athlete (or a few) stepped into the role, then we had leaders; if athletes did not step into the role, we did not have leadership. In more recent years, I realize that a coach must work to build leaders. More often than not, a few, simple nudges can put athletes in a position to lead well. For the record, building leaders does not always have the outcome one would like, but it is something we need to try. Here are some great ways to build leadership.
Show your athletes what leadership is - Good leaders grow from good leaders. Model the leadership you want to see in your athletes. Also, tell them how good leaders behave and what you expect from leaders.
Have the conversation EVERY MINUTE - A Coach needs to define what your program needs in leadership every day and every minute. Immediately reward behavior that shows good leadership and use improper leadership as a teaching tool.
Consider running leadership classes - J.T. Ayers of Trabuco Hills track and field runs a weekly group before school. If that is a challenge, plan lessons in the summer or on vacations. I am working on one for CBA. I cannot wait to get it rolling. Find a way to give your athletes the skills to be good leaders.
Be patient - We as coaches are not perfect and should not expect our athletes to be perfect. Athletes will make mistakes so be patient with them. Everything they do is a lesson. Teach them through the good and the bad moments.
Never pick captains or maybe do... - This topic is controversial. I am passionate about my stance. I prefer leaders to make themselves known as opposed to athletes assigned a role. A coaches goal is to educate and create solid young adults. If we force athletes into roles, we may miss helping other athletes grow. To be clear, I think it is ok to recognize good leadership and leaders. I prefer to avoid labeling athletes.
Put GOOD pressure on athletes - Put your athletes in pressure situations from the very beginning of their career. Good leaders will shine in these situations. Present the pressure as a positive challenge. Put freshmen on relays with older athletes or in situations to score for the team. Sometimes, having younger athletes lead stretching from time to time is enough pressure. Older athletes may need some heavier pressure, but a coach can find it during championship season or a big invite.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
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