Influence for Today's Coaches

Can you use the Women's World Cup to inspire your team? What ideas have you thought of? Have your players been influenced by what they saw? Will you be able to relate and compare similarities and differences?

What would a casual fan or observer see as your team experiences success or adversity? Does that matter? What characteristics drive those responses? Is it a reflection of their values or a reflection of what you're teaching them?

What drives you to still coach? Why do you coach? What motivated you to become a coach? Do you feel the need to be in control of every situation? What would you say is the key to reaching your players with your message?

What's your position on your players celebrating? How do you deal with a blowout loss during the game? Does it upset you when the opposition celebrates close to your bench? Do you have strong team leaders who will bring their teammates down to earth recognizing the perception of your team celebrating may not be positive?

Are you able to inspire your team? Not just for games, special events or occasions. Can you inspire just by the way you conduct yourself, your words and actions in everyday settings? Do you truly believe in your players? Have you told them? Can it help take them to greater heights, not only in the game, but in life? Never underestimate your influence to shape a life.

Why would your best player decline to lead? What challenges will ineffective leadership create? Do you have clear expectations for leaders? Do you or the team interview them? Are you asking to much of player leaders? What traits make true leaders special?

How do you react to fast moving storms within your team? Do players know they can talk with you concerning issues and challenges? What happens when players complain to other teammates? What was the climate of your team last year? Were there issues that were left unresolved? What will be different this season?

Do you have a sense of when your team isn't focused? How do you deal with it? How did they arrive at this point? How can this be avoided or prevented? What will you say? Could your words make it worse? What situations bring this on?

Do you make time to train your leaders? Are you able to role play situations for practical experience? What if you set up the training with a format similar to your field practice? Do you expect them to deal with issues with no formal training?

As a coach, what sets you apart? What characteristics are special about you? Why would a parent want their child to play for you? What would your players, colleagues and athletic director say your special gift is? Why does that matter?