THE GROWTH MINDSETA Newsletter for Coaches |
Date: March 11th, 2023 Vol:2 Issue: 51 Formalizing your philosophy to bring clarity to your coaching.An important step in my evolution as a coach came when I read Seahawks coach Pete Carroll's excellent book "Win Forever: Live, Work and Play like a Champion" . In the book Carroll outlines how formalizing his coaching philosophy was the big change he made after getting fired by the Patriots in 1999. Carroll believes that all the success he had at USC and with the Seahawks is rooted in formalizing his coaching philosophy. Competition is the focal point of Carroll's entire philosophy. He wants everyone from trainers, coaches, front office employees, and players competing every minute they are at work. It is has clearly helped Carroll. It has also been very helpful in my coaching. Having a coaching philosophy that I have been able to share with my assistants, players and their parents has been a really effective tool in my toolbox. In times of conflict or difficulty it is great to have a philosophy to refer to. Most coaches have a philosophy but until it is put on paper it will be hard for it to truly guide the decisions of any coach. I share my philosophy with parents at our preseason meeting and it is included in our playbooks. My goal is that anyone affiliated with our team is aware of our core values & how we hope impact the lives of the people involved with our team. It is also a great activity to help show you what you really value as a coach. Pete Carroll is not alone in stressing the importance of formalizing a coaching philosophy. Research has shown that coaches who establish a clear coaching philosophy are more effective in leading their teams. In a study published in the Journal of Coaching Education, by DiCenso, Williams & Gould. Coaches who reported having a well-defined coaching philosophy were more likely to have positive coaching behaviors, such as providing feedback and setting goals for their athletes. This may be a chicken or the egg scenario but regardless it seems like good coaches have established philosophies. Additionally, athletes who played for coaches with a clear coaching philosophy reported higher levels of team cohesion and satisfaction with their coach. Overall, research suggests that establishing a coaching philosophy is essential for effective leadership and creating a positive team culture. It allows coaches to communicate their values and expectations to their athletes, which fosters a sense of shared purpose and direction. Steps to create your own philosophy If your are interested in creating your own philosophy I recommend taking some time to work through the following steps as recommended by Coach Carroll.
Once it is formalized, make sure to post it in places that everyone in your program has access as they need to understand it will impact just about every decision that you will make with your team, Resources exploring Pete Carroll & his philosophy
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Pete Carroll on Experts on Expert |
Flying Coach with Steve Kerr |
Peter Carroll on Finding Mastery |
Carroll's book "Win Forever, Live, Work & Play Like a Champion" is really excellent. It contains a lot of solid, actionable advice for coaches & leaders to build their philosophy.
It is the time of year when many teams are wrapping up their seasons.
It is a time to celebrate, acknowledge players who are moving on from the team and to reflect on what went well and what are areas to target for improvement next season. This is a process that both coaches and players should go through. It is important to remember a coach needs to provide constructive feedback to players and have a thick skin when players provide feedback that isn't what you hope to hear. Sometimes the truth hurts but it is better than not knowing at all.
Here are a few benefits to conducting exit interviews:
I believe that the more open and honest communication with athletes throughout the entire season, creates a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Pre-season, & midseason meetings, and finishing with exit interviews is all part of a solid practice of engaging athletes and coaches.
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My newsletter focused on the three pillars of peak performance; building high-performing athletes, creating championship cultures, and coaches who sustain excellence. In the newsletter, I provide frameworks and practical strategies that I have used during my 23-year career as a Varsity Boys Basketball coach and work as a Mental Performance Coach.
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