What are those teams doing wrong?
In watching, coaching, and playing sports, we all know of those good teams who never become great. They can’t ever make the jump and win that big game. Why is that? What characteristics do they possess that prevent them from becoming champions? As a high school basketball coach, it took me 25 years to win my first Sectional Title. I then claimed titles in six of my final 11 years. What were the changes I made with my team? How could I turn it around and finish my career so successfully? In this weeks #CJJblog I give some tips on how to prepare your team for those big games.
- Paint a picture of success. Talk to your team about greatness. Teach them mental imagery and help them imagine themselves achieving success.
- Lead by example. Be the rock of your team. Try not to lose your cool in pressure situations. Your team needs to know you will be the voice of reason in times of chaos.
- Learn from the past. Don’t live in the past. Rather, learn from it. When you watch film or think back to your previous performances, think “how can we get better?’”
- Teach your team. Teach them best practices and consistency. The most important trait you can instill in your team is how to properly handle adversity. How do you teach your team new characteristic traits?
- Have spokespeople. The best way to get through to your team is to have a captain or manager to vouch for you. As the leader, you must have someone who can serve as a second voice. Do you have someone who can help preach your principles?
- Practice pressure. The harder your practices, the easier the actual games are. Put your team in stressful situations so they will be prepared during the game.
- Build relationships. Get to know your team on a personal level. Also help nurture interpersonal relationships among team members.
Did You Know? Coach Jim Johnson attended the Homesteads for Hope event on Thursday to help support autism and individuals with special needs. You can check out their great work at www.homesteadsforhope.com
Life Tip #78: Take time to reflect and prepare for the future
Deckard & Company