Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Big Talk, Small Talk

Coaches don't need to excel at small talk but must excel at "big talk." It's as easy to make a friend as an enemy. 

What counts as big talk? Big talk makes a difference. 

Be specific. Jargon doesn't help. Platitudes don't help. Cliches don't help. Give players drills, exercises, video critiques. When we get the special player, take care of her. Be an anteambulo. Find canvas for her to paint. 

“Great men have almost always shown themselves as ready to obey as they afterwards proved able to command.” –Lord Mahon

Be positive. Encourage players to work hard, to choose growth. Compete for varsity spots when hope and possibility exist. That doesn't mean to pump flat tires with holes in them. Don't throw a player under the bus. If one player is a better fit for a seat, do the right thing for the program. 

Help shape dreams. Offer aid. That might mean teaching, shagging balls, extra instruction, adding value in a thousand ways or sometimes just one.

Add perspective. Perspective should be truth. 'The truth needs three things: number one, you got to live it. Number two, you got to be able to tell it. And number three, you got to be able to take it.' - Kevin Eastman  That can mean speaking truth to power or empowering a player with the truth about her game. 

Network. Part of adding value is providing shoulders to stand on. Many aren't high so don't provide much visibility or lift. Mine don't. But when players earned a chance to follow their dream, do our best to help them.   

Lagniappe. 

Lagniappe 2. Make time to read. 

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