November/December 2021 - 10

COACHING FOR SIGNIFICANCE
ten traits of a successful
ATHLETIC PROGRAM
By Bruce Brown & Rob Miller, Proactive Coaching
As we travel our country to speak, we get the
opportunity to observe a lot of different high school and
college programs. We have also learned that the two main
places we get invited to are those schools that are very
successful and those that are really struggling. Those
who are struggling have a strong desire to change their
direction and success - at the college level, it is often
about keeping their job. Those who are very successful are
successful for many reasons but one of them is that they
are always trying to get better. They are always looking for
an edge to keep them ahead of the pack.
Here is the first part of the common traits of strong
programs we work with.
1
.. Consistent and Clear Standards and Values -
..Preset team values are the foundation or cornerstones
for every successful team. What is your team's identity?
What are your automatics? Great teams establish their
own culture with standards that clearly define what is
acceptable and what is not acceptable
in both performance standards and
relationship commitments. Their culture
both sets them apart and holds them
together. The clearer your standards
and the better your " why " the more likely
your athletes will rise to them.
One Application Idea - Every coach and every athlete
should be able to tell you and show you what their team
stands for. Bring in someone who you trust to observe
practice and see if they can see what your team stands for
based upon their actions.
2
..The Team Members Feel a Collective
..Responsibility To Learn and Follow The Team
Values - In other words, people commit to the team
values and live it in their actions. " This is the way we do
things around here " is something the team members are
proud to express. The feeling is that " we don't want to
do anything that would let down the coaches, the team,
and each other. " The first level of accountability is being
responsible for yourself. The second level of accountability
is to be accountable to each other and the team standards
and it is a good thing.
One Application Idea - Set up small accountability
groups within your team with a coach in each group as an
observer.
..Master Teachers - The first way coaches gain
..credibility, respect and trust are how much they
know and how well they can teach it. Successful coaches
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4
PART I
understand the game and their players and how to teach
both. The best teacher is " Creative Craftsmen. " In the best
programs, the coaches are as skilled as any teacher in the
school. In interviewing a Vanderbilt baseball player for an
upcoming book, his statement was, " I took a lot of great
classes at Vanderbilt and had a lot of great teachers, but the
best class and teacher was baseball and Coach Corbin. "
One Application Idea - Two book recommendations
for becoming a better teacher - " Practice Perfect " by Doug
Lemov and " Thank You, Coach " by Angus Reid.
..Positive Role Models - Leadership - Coaches
..must consistently live the team values in their actions.
The seniors should be the best examples of team values.
In these programs freshmen or sophomores can be told,
" If you are not sure how hard to work or how to act in any
situation, just watch our seniors and follow their lead. "
Your older players and most talented players must be your
best workers.
One Application Idea - A simple
question... Do your younger players want
to grow into who the seniors, coaches,
and team leaders are? Take the time
and effort to teach leadership to all
your athletes and then let your leaders
reveal themselves through their actions. Equip them with
knowledge and skills and then empower them to use and
grow those skills. Watch team leadership emerge and
perpetuate itself.
5
..All Roles Are Valued - When there is relationship-...
..based leadership everyone who contributes to the
team is shown value. Credit is shared. When all roles are
valued, players are more willing to accept roles and teams
are more successful. It is part of making gratitude part of
your culture.
One Application Idea - Identify every role necessary
for success on your team. Meet individually with athletes
to get role clarification for where they are now and then
ask the athlete what roles they would like to grow into;
be willing to assist in that goal.
In perpetually strong athletic programs, each of these
strengths is done with absolute intention and design.
EXCELLENCE IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT!
For support materials, go to our website -
www.proactivecoaching.info. For additional application
ideas email bruce@proactivecoaching.info. To bring a
Proactive Coaching speaker to your school or community
email rob@proactivecoaching.info.
http://www.proactivecoaching.info
November/December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2021
