Influence for Today's Coaches

Will you sign or take a player with outstanding skill, but with less than favorable character? Have you encountered this situation before? What are three character traits you must have before a player joins your team? What challenges will a player with questionable character create for you and your players? Do you rate character as you observe a potential player in a game, or just their skill?

What pressures are your players working through today? Not just within the game or practice, how about outside pressure. How can some players seem so calm in tense moments? How can others fall apart? How did they get this way? Where does it originate? Can you help them? How have you dealt with this in the past? What worked? Here's our thoughts on doing all you can to help.

Have you dealt with conflicts between team leaders and teammates? Do you just deal with it one situation at a time? Do your team leaders know what you expect? Do you back them unconditionally? Have you trained your team leaders? What does that include? Here are some thoughts to consider.

What are your expectations of your assistant coaches? Are players confused by mixed messages from different coaches? Would your assistants be able to function without you? What are their responsibilities at practice and a game? What are your top three priorities when hiring an assistant coach?

What mentality do you expect from your players? Is it the same regardless of the position they play? Do they know what you expect? How can you help them develop the mindset needed? Are you able to convince them that a mistake doesn't define their intent or effort? Can they shake free from a bad game, a bad moment? Can you relate it to a career or professional job? Have you defined 3-5 mental traits they need for their position on the field?

Do you work to be relevant for your players? Is it a high priority? What would you include in the components of relevance? Is it trends, music, current events, technology and lingo? Should it include other areas? Do leadership components suffer at the expense of trying to be so relevant? Is that your focus? What would players say they expect and need from you most as a leader and coach? Could trying to be so relevant damage your credibility?

Do you feel the need to shout instructions continuously during a game? Is it for the players or does it help you? What if you weren't at the game, what would your players do? Are you able to let them work a situation out or make an independent decision? Could hinge on your team whether they're young or a veteran club, but at some point.........................

What adjustments will you make to your coaching plans, style and implementation with a pandemic? What will you expect from your players? What if your season is cancelled? What message will you share with your players? Will you be able to convince players to follow the health and safety guidelines?

What is essential in building a team? What challenges will you face as you grind through a season? What would your definition be of a coach who can finish. Of Builder, Grinder and Finisher, which one best describes you? Why?

Have you considered moving to another school? Is it your dream to coach at the highest level? Is it the right time? Why would you leave your current school? What challenges have you faced?
Will a move solve your problems? What new challenges might you face in a move? Have you considered many challenges have no boundaries based on level of play?