Doing Your Best Work

Brad Stevens asks, "What does our team need now?" That summarizes coaching. 

Coaching is teaching. Teaching changes behaviors. Coaching changes behaviors.

Everyone talks about culture. What is that? Coaching shapes the entire "ecosystem" of a school, a classroom, a business, or a sports program. Coaches work to develop an ecosystem (environment) that allows both team and individuals to do their best work. 

Some may think, "Nine seniors graduated. How can we replace them?" That is the wrong question. 

Eight players return. Even more talent is coming. "How can MVB build on the scaffolding of current and new players?"

We don't know the roster size of MVB '25. And we know that the initial roster will be designed to perform at a high level. And excellent players will be on JVa, getting valuable experience to prepare to step up. 

History tells us that the Opening Day lineup will probably not be the lineup in the postseason. Last season Sadie Smith, Elise Marchais, and Ella Friedlaender all started the season on JV. They finished playing for the varsity, contributing in the postseason.  

True story. I tell people that I was selected for varsity baseball as a sophomore. About four games in, I asked to be put on JV to play (pitch). Next season, on a first varsity start as a junior on opening day in 1972, we lost 2-1 at Stoneham. That happened when our excellent centerfielder lost a ball in the sun in the sixth inning and two runs scored on their only hit. Stoneham later won the state championship. 

JV experience, player development, made that start possible. There's no prestige to sitting. 

We often don't control what happens to us but we always control how we respond to it. Never let ego get in the way of performance. 

Lagniappe. Coaching.