Today we dive into a conversation with author and professor John McCarthy at Montclair State University. Coach McCarthy teaches Principles and Problems of Coaching at MSU, and is involved with Dr. Rob Gilbert in the sports psychology department there. He is the author of What Would Yogi Do? Guidelines for Athletes, Coaches and Parents Who Love Sports. In this episode we talk about:

His challenges of not knowing anything about coaching when he first started, and proving his competency early in his career

The benefits of being organized and importance of having a structured practice

Coaches win practice, players win games, and your player’s preparation, reactions to mistakes, and ability to play the game well is a sign of your competency as a coach

Players don’t make mistakes on purpose, so the younger the level you coach, the more patience you need to have. If you’re not patient, you’re going to criticize, and very infrequently that’s what your players need

75% of kids drop out of sports by age 13, and they do so because it’s not fun, because coaches focus so much on winning, and practices are military-style instead of fun

Staying calm and being patient is a mindset

We can only control our preparation and our effort

Having a ‘next play’ mentality and playing for your teammates, who drudge through practices and long bus rides with you

How you must be consistent as a coach. You need to show up as the same person, day in and day out, so your players know what to expect from you.

People grow at different rates, and you can’t force your kids to grow, you must take time to find out what’s going on in their lives and sympathize with them

Emphasizing that players need to develop their own critical thinking skills

Telling the kids ‘why’ drills and situations are important

Teaching ‘bounce-back-ability’ through stories, like this example of Evan Ruggiero

It’s not what I know, it’s what my kids learn

Having 1 rule: “Be in the right place, at the right time, and do the right thing”

I can tell you what, and i can teach you how, but if you don’t understand WHY, you’re not going to buy in

This was a tremendously insightful episode. Coach McCarthy recommends these resources to continue learning and improving your craft as a coach: 

Getting To Us by Seth Davis & Mark Deakins

Above The Line Urban Meyer

Sum It Up By Pat Summit

Toughness by Jay Bilas

What Would Yogi Do? Guidelines for Athletes, Coaches and Parents Who Love Sports by Professor John McCarthy

MSU Professor John McCarthy Has A Plan To Save Youth Sports