Fast Five - Biggest Challenges in Modern Coaching

Some questions have imperfect and disputable answers. What big challenges confront coaches? 

Meet unreasonable expectations. Many expect coaches to win, teach their sport, develop character, and make players, families, and fans happy. Winning depends on many factors - talent, experience, schedule, coaching, luck. 

Part of winning depends on roster and game management...shorter rosters and uneven minutes and roles boost winning AND dissatisfaction. Some players and their families care about team but less than their situation. Understandable. For coaches, that means "dancing between the raindrops" of minutes and management.

Do more with less. Economics is the allocation of scarce resources. The amount and use of practice time challenges everyone. If we have twelve players and three hours a week and an opponent keeps eight players for eight hours of weekly practice, leveling the playing field is impossible. The most uneven situations involve talent and coaching.  

Player development. For young players, player development takes priority. Our record matters less than success of players at the next level. Unlike Bill Russell's, ego doesn't depend on the success of our team. 

Sport-specific athletes invest time in offseason practice that carries over to the season. 

Character not Characters. Coaches can model excellence and set examples of communication, effort, and sportsmanship. When players know how much coaches care, they are more likely to listen, buy in, and work hard. Getting buy-in with so many distractions in players' world gets harder. 

The Disease of Me. The dreaded S's - selfishness, sloth, and softness - undermine team play. ChatGPT summarizes:

Riley, a renowned basketball coach known for his success with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and other teams, coined this term to describe a situation where individual players become more focused on their own personal interests and achievements rather than on the success and goals of the team as a whole.

Here’s a breakdown of what the "Disease of Me" entails:

1. Ego Over Team Goals: Players or team members prioritize their personal accolades, stats, and recognition over the collective success of the team. This self-centered approach can undermine team cohesion and performance.

2. Conflict and Division: When players are more concerned with their individual roles and standings, it can lead to conflicts, jealousy, and a lack of unity within the team. This division can disrupt teamwork and collaboration.

3. Lack of Selflessness: The disease of me manifests as a lack of willingness to make sacrifices for the team, such as passing the ball, playing a less glamorous role, or accepting a reduced role for the greater good.

4. Impact on Performance: The focus on personal achievement can lead to poor team dynamics and reduced overall performance. When players are not aligned with team goals, it can result in less effective play and missed opportunities for success.

5. Leadership and Coaching Challenge: Addressing the disease of me requires strong leadership and effective coaching. Leaders need to foster a team-first mentality, manage egos, and ensure that everyone understands and embraces their role within the team.

Navigating all the challenges every season is impossible because everyone's goals are never fully aligned.