Words To Coach By-

"I came up in a culture where you were never promised a job. We had to perform in order to keep our job. If you didn't do your job, The Boss would get rid of you. So every spring training, every offseason, I trained and prepared for the opportunity to win a job. I've done that every year. I never take anything for granted."

-Derek Jeter

HAVE FUN

Dad always told me “Have fun, kid.” Those words always ring out in adverse situations.

Coming from a man who was in public education for 52 years and taught, coached, drove the bus, mopped the locker room floors, mowed fields, marked fields, etc. those words always bring adverse situations into perspective.

NOTHING IS EVER AS GOOD AS IT SEEMS AND NOTHING IS EVER AS BAD AS IT SEEMS

Coaches learn quickly that an ‘even keel’ frame of mind plays a big part in their approach and preparation.

At times coaches and players become comfortable in where they are and what they’re doing, and with their results. Winning seems to solve many issues.

With this in mind, in sports, the tide can turn on a dime. Injuries occur-players move-grades, etc. There are always obstacles to overcome regardless of the number of wins you have.

It’s great when an athlete throwing 95 mph moves into your program. But what’s your plan if you lose your ace to injury or grades?

EVEN KEEL in your approach lets your players know that no matter what the situation, good or bad, the team/program will always move in the right direction and in the right, fair/proper way.

WHAT IS POPULAR ISN’T ALWAYS RIGHT AND WHAT IS RIGHT ISN’T ALWAYS POPULAR

It’s important to provide an environment in which players and coaches enjoy and can excel. Organization, dependability, trust and respect all play important roles in said environment.

Allowing things outside of your philosophical boundaries to occur without consequence can be detrimental to your program.

There is nothing easy about sitting a player who can help your team.

John Wooden always said, “Be more concerned with what is right rather than who is right”. So the conversation should never be about who, but rather what- the action and the consequence.

Making decisions based on what is right rather than what is popular allows you to keep your program fair and always moving in the right direction.

Wavering from philosophical boundaries leads to dissention among players and coaches.

Athletic programs are not the place for popularity contests. They are, however, outstanding formats to teach life lessons including dependability, trust and respect.

Always have fun, keep your team 'even keel' and keep your program moving in the right direction!