Advice from Coach Berge

Coach Berge has decades of experience and solid advice (feels like he's stealing my stuff :)). He posts a lengthy thread. 

I’ve been coaching for over 30 years.

Here are 25 coaching insights I wish I had known from the beginning:

[THREAD] 🧵

— Greg Berge (@gb1121) July 5, 2024

Coaching stability and excellence has helped propel MVB to longitudinal success for over twenty years.

My respect for Scott Celli and his staff is no secret as my twins and many of the basketball players I coached have played for them. Why? 

• Meritocracy. You will get chances. Make the most of them.
• Culture. There's a learning, positive, collaborative culture.
• Growth mindset. The team at season's end is better. 
• Positive expectations. Even young teams aren't rebuilding.  
• Continuity. This is who they are. That is how they play. 

Coaching is demanding. The hours are long, the pay low, and families see the action via "parents' eyes" not "coaches' eyes." You can only play six at time, regardless of how many players are on the club. "This is not a union job" and seniority doesn't mean superiority. A freshman can earn a spot. 

A parent emailed me years ago after I apologized about playing time. "There is no need to apologize about playing time.  You are the coach and you need to do what you have to in order to win.  She gets that and we get that.  She was disappointed in how she played yesterday but is motivated to do better.  I understand where parents are coming from with feeling bad for their child (we have been there many times with all 3 of our kids) but this is a part of life and kids need to learn to deal with disappointment sometimes." 

With potentially nine seniors returning, the coaching staff faces an unusual challenge. Nine can't start and it's unlikely that all can have a role. 

When one of my daughters was a sophomore basketball player, she got an injury start versus Melrose's archrival Reading. She had her best game of the season among defense, rebounding, sixteen points including 8 for 8 free throws in a four point road win. She played two minutes the next game when the starter was back. That's how it goes sometimes. It wasn't her time. 

Coach Berge's thoughts are worth digesting. 

Excerpt: 

19. Remember, leadership is a lifestyle. Be a servant leader. 20. Do not try to please anyone. It is impossible and will only cause problems. 21. Be incredibly honest with kids and parents. Do not sugarcoat anything. It gets you in trouble.

Lagniappe. Setter attacks.