Influence for Today's Coaches

What distractions do your players deal with everyday? How can those distractions influence their performance? How can you as their coach impact those distractions? What traits do you possess that could be attributes in solving these distractions? What creative solutions have you tried?

What sets your team apart outside the lines? Is your team known for serving and helping the community? Do you recognize those players who rarely enter a game? Do you meet every player who attempts to make your team and thank them? Are you involved with youth clubs in your area? Is your team active with charitable organizations? Do players recognize or thank teachers in your school?

How will you deal with that season ending loss? Are there takeaways that can help us next season? Will you ask tough questions of yourself to improve? Were there decisions left unanswered? What will be different next season? How can you best serve your team? What do they need to buy into your team's culture?

What words or phrases do you use to challenge your players? Are they always receptive? Could they same words apply to you and your coaching career? Does your AD or DOC challenge you? What have you done to become a better coach? Do you have resources for coaching education?

What vision do you and your staff have for your team? What vision does the team have? Do you have a process to lead the team to a vision? Will players have input in forming the vision? Why is that important? What roles and responsibilities will be established by the team? Do you have a vision of what you want to accomplish in your career? Who can help?

Can you escape the demands of coaching? Can you find peace and solitude on the field long before a game? Will you play the game in your mind? What about in the locker room in the off season when all the players have gone home? Will you question words you spoke there before a game? Would you agree that a large percentage of games are won or lost in the locker room? Could it be because of what we say or fail to say?

Have you thought about how much influence you have with your players? Positive or Negative it will be carried with them long after they leave your program? If they shared the truth about that influence in a letter what would it say. Listen as we share a letter a player might write.

How did you finish last season? How would you like to finish this season? Are their steps you can take to lead your team toward a positive finish? Who's ideas, opinions and observations can you solicit? Should you? Do you have players yet to be game tested? Are there players ready to carry your team?

What pressure do you feel everyday as a coach? Where does it originate? How do you deal with it? What pressure are your players under? Are there ways for you to get away for a short time? Does your family sacrifice for the hours you devote to your team? We have a few suggestions that may help.

Why do you coach? What brings you back each day, each game, each practice? Who gave you the characteristics needed to coach? Can you still hear their voice? their advice? Are you the voice your players hear?