team

My experience growing up and how it has influenced me as a coach

31 January 2014 in Guest Post tagged Anthony Goss / coach / experience / football / influence / soccer / team

In today’s guest post football/soccer coach Anthony Goss reflects upon how his past influences his coaching now.

My experience growing up and how it has influenced me as a coach

I have never written a blog before. Here it goes. . .

Playing football when I young

I started late playing football, when I was 10/11 from what I remember. Most kids around me had started before me, therefore had couple or more years to develop the basic balance and co- ordination needed to play football.

This meant by the time I joined the local football club Totnes and Dartington (will be using T&D as short hand) I was behind. Looking back, I would say I was a late developer overall and this along with my late start in football meant I wasn’t very good compared to the other players in the team.

The manager/ coach was old fashioned. He only played the best players in their best positions. It was all about winning for him. This meant that I, along with several other players never got a chance to play in actual games for T&D against other teams. Even though I turned up every training session, in all weather conditions I wasn’t picked because I wasn’t considered good enough to play.

Now looking back, I didn’t think much of it at the time; I was happy just playing football and making new friends. I asked my Mum the other day what she thought of it though and she thought it was unfair how I always turned up but never played; she had a point.

When I did get my chance in the team (think it was the Under14s season and I would have been 13, nearly 14) I went along to the games but didn’t play that much, or at all. One time I was on the bench for an away game, travelled 14 miles to a pitch in the middle of nowhere on top of a hill and I didn’t even come on!! (We destroyed the other team and we knew we would but because we had 4 subs and at the time you could only use 3, I was the 4th sub)

I only started to improve when surprise, surprise I played started playing regularly (T&D created a ‘B Team’ for our age group). I was playing every week and looking back, this was the start of me becoming a better footballer. Don’t get me wrong I still wasn’t good but I was a lot better than when I started. This I’m sure was down to playing football against other teams.

Now as a coach

These events that happened when I was growing up have influenced the way I coach and manage my youth teams. The main I think about going into every game with my team (T&D Under13s) is how can I make it fair for my players?

I make sure that over the course of the season they all start on the bench equal amount of times.

During the game, they all spend time on the bench (rotate them around) (I think they are more crateful for this, this season as we have moved to 11 a side) and I make the time spent off the same for everybody.

I also rotate their positions around. This is mainly because the ‘defenders’ of the team have all said to me at one point “I don’t like playing in defence”. This is fair enough; I want to keep them happy so every now and then I play them in different positions.

This also gives me a chance to allow other players to experience playing in defensive. This hasn’t been easy though. Some players have not liked playing defence for the first time and I have had ‘strong discussions’ to convince them otherwise. I hope that when they look back they will truly understand why I have done what I have done.

Rotating players also allows players to learn about different positions. It will in the long term give them a better understanding, overall of playing football. This does make my job harder tactically but in the long run it will be worth it. They will hopefully be better players for it. I am very lucky as well that all the parents agree with what I am doing and are letting me get on with it.

I have managed my Under13s for nearly two years now and I like to think all the players have improved since I started. This would be down to the fact they have all played regularly and it’s been fairer for them then what it was me.

My motivation now

I sometimes wonder why I get so involved with T&D and local football. Currently I am coaching the Under8s (was their manager at the start of the season), coaching and managing the Under13s and helping with the Under15s. I could also at the time of writing this blog, about to start two after school clubs at local primary schools. Then the reason came to me. I get involved so much because I want to give the young players of today a better footballing upbringing than what I had. I feel that if I continue to learn and take ideas on board from other coaches (Twitter is brilliant for football coaching ideas) then I will improve and therefore, my coaching ability will improve.

About Anthony Goss

“My name is Anthony Goss. I am a 23 year old football coach from Totnes, Devon. I currently coach 3 age groups at my local club, Under8s, Under13s and Under15s. I manage the Under13s as well.”

Connect with Anthony via twitter: @AnthonyGoss23

5 Life Lessons to Teach Your Team 2

29 November 2013 in Guest Post tagged balance / hard work / James White / lesson / preparation / team

In today’s guest post former basketball coach James White shares a little of his approach to working with teams:

"5 Life Lessons to Teach Your Team" A guest post by James White

5 Life Lessons to Teach Your Team

by James White

Coaching a team is a multifaceted act of teaching. Not only do successful coaches teach their team the nuances of a particular sport or practice, but they also teach team members valuable lessons about life.

You see this type of duality in every great sports movie. Regardless of whether or not the team is successful in the end, the coach’s players walk away having learned invaluable life lessons. Given the authority and level of influence that coaches have on players, it is no surprise that they are looked upon as role models.

Whether you are coaching players in a traditional sport or leading a team in a business setting, here are five valuable life lessons that you can instill in those who look up to you:

1. Finding a Balance

One of the most important lessons that a coach can teach players is the importance of finding a balance in life. While it is a coach’s job to achieve excellence on the field, it is also a coach’s responsibility to ensure that people succeed in the classroom and serve as role models in the other facets of their lives. I usually combine this lesson with doing dribbling drills that take focus and balance to achieve. While they are doing the drill I talk about the importance of balance both in the game in their own lives.

2. Hard Work

The relationship between hard work and success is another concept that sports can help people understand. Sports serve as an excellent allegory for life in general, as they offer a set of standards for success and a designated path for achieving it. If a coach can manage to show players the correlation between hard work and success on the field, these players will understand the value of hard work in every other aspect of their lives as well.

3. Winning and Losing

Winning and losing are two occurrences that coaches will likely have to navigate their team through. Managing to teach your team to win and lose with grace is an invaluable lesson, according to Sports Feel Good Stories. Understanding how to handle these occurrences within the sporting world will help people to manage successes and failures later in life. Encourage your team to have a good attitude even when they lose.

4. Being a Team Player

Working well with others is not only a skill that is necessary for success on the field, it is also a skill that directly translates to a professional setting. Just as players must learn to play with their teammates, business professionals must cooperate with their fellow employees. Not only does this mean contributing to the team with your own talents, it also means doing your part to make those around you better.

One analogy that explains this life lesson is the wheel. Explain how each player represents a spoke and without all of them performing at their best a wheel will not work. Helping players recognize the importance of their team members is perhaps the most important lesson coaches can bestow upon their teams.

5. Preparation

Sports such as football, basketball and soccer require extensive studying and preparation. Teaching your players the value of being prepared for the big game is a realization that is applicable for other aspects of their lives, as well. Use the well-known phrases “Practice make perfect” and “No pain, no gain” to remind players why they need to practice hard.

Coaches have the opportunity to use sports and other team scenarios as mediums for teaching people important life lessons. A good coach isn’t necessarily the one with the winning team, but the coach whose players walk away as better people is always appreciated.

About James White

James White coached basketball for 3 years and is currently working on his business degree. Connect with James on Twitter at @JGtheSavage or read more articles from him on his personal blog Info Bros.

Leadership: Time to Revise the Sink or Swim Approach

16 August 2013 in Guest Post tagged Abraham Lincoln / Altruism / cooperation / Darwin / Fiona Rutherford / guest post / Herbert Spencer / Hubworking / leadership / survival / team

In today’s guest post Fiona Rutherford shares on the topic of leadership as she proposes:

Leadership: Time to Revise the Sink or Swim Approach

By Fiona Rutherford

‘The survival of the fittest’ is a phrase that gets thrown around quite a bit in conversations about great leadership, but do we understand its true meaning?

This cold, unsympathetic Darwinian concept is commonly applied to the workplace environment. For example, the ‘sink or swim’ approach is a method of leadership development used by several organisations. It involves throwing employees into the deep end as a way of differentiating between ‘The Sinkers’ (weaker employees who are unable to adapt to change) from ‘The Swimmers’ (stronger employees who are able to adapt and therefore are selected to be leaders).

There are also circumstances when the terms ‘the survival of the fittest’ and ‘every man for himself’ are used synonymously. Especially in our increasingly competitive society, both terms can be used as an excuse for selfish and brutal conduct within the workplace, between businesses and even in everyday life situations.

Although Charles Darwin is often credited with coining the phrase ‘the survival of the fittest’, it was actually coined by a Philosopher named Herbert Spencer. Its initial meaning had nothing to do with ‘sink or swim’ approaches and ‘every man for himself’ tactics. Quite the opposite, ‘survival of the fittest’ has everything to do with altruism, teamwork, cooperation, support and togetherness – the very last words typically associated with this phrase!

The word ‘fittest’ has created much confusion, since the modern use of the word ‘fit’ conjures up an image of a strong, agile and healthy individual. However, in evolutionary terms, it is more about being ‘fit’ for purpose.

Using the true meaning of ‘the survival of the fittest’ concept, below I’ve suggested 3 tips that could help expand your understanding of what makes a great leader.

1. Cooperation is everything!

Great leaders understand that everything in life is about cooperation. In basic biology, for example, we are taught that our organs must cooperate with one another and work together in order to function properly and survive. Darwin proposed that people tend to perform better as a group and consequently teamwork has spread throughout the population. With this idea in mind, in order to maximise group performance and success, a great leader will ensure that each team member has their own unique role, which is recognised, appreciated and valued.

2. Bonding with team members!

Having a close-knit team is crucial. A great leader will appreciate that within all groups, there will be conflicting ideas and opinions, therefore in order to achieve a common goal there needs to be a strong bond between all team members. For great leaders, bonding is also about connecting on a personal level, ensuring team members feel comfortable enough to express their thoughts and feelings.

Abraham Lincoln, thought to be one of the greatest leaders of all time, is a perfect example of this. He was known for surrounding himself with team members who would openly question his authority and who were unafraid of arguing with him. He would also make himself very available to his team members by holding regular office hours.

3. Altruism is fundamental!

Great leaders can be kind, caring and considerate, without being a pushover. It’s important to have a genuine care for each member of your team. Instead of leaving ‘The Sinkers’ to sink, it’s essential to encourage and assist them with developing any strengths and improving their weaknesses, as long as they’re willing to learn. Altruistic leaders can inspire team members to act in the same way, thereby creating an honest and pleasant working environment.

About Fiona Rutherford

Fiona holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Neuroscience and is embarking on a Masters Degree in Evolutionary Psychology. She is also working part time for Hubworking, contributing to their social media activity. (Find Hubworking on LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter or connect with Fiona and the rest of the Hubworking team on Facebook)

Sources:

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/misconceptions_faq.php

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13671-evolution-myths-survival-of-the-fittest-justifies-everyone-for-themselves.html#.UgjRJ5Wghby

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10750-why-altruism-paid-off-for-our-ancestors.html#.UgjQoZWghbx

Maximizing Team Ouput

1 March 2013 in Guest Post tagged BasketballHQ / business coach / business coaching / buy in / charging / clarity / client / clients / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching courses / coaching qualifications / coaching skills / coaching techniques / coaching training / direction / executive coach / indiviudal / Kyle Ohman / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / nlp coach / output / performance coaching / personal coach / personal development / Ritchie McKay / team

In today’s guest post Kyle Ohman shares his thoughts and experience in both business and in basketball coaching about:

Maximizing Team Ouput

by Kyle Ohman

As a leader or coach of a team one of your main responsibilities is to get the most out of each member of the group. If you can get every single person performing at their best and moving in the same direction there is no limit to what you can accomplish. This is easier said than done but if you can accomplish this then there is no telling what you are going to be able to accomplish.

My background is in sports but I have recently been fortunate enough to move into co-owning my own company BasketballHQ.com. The one thing that I quickly realized though is that there are so many parallels between a business and sports. A lot of the stuff that I have learned playing and coaching basketball I have been able to translate over into running a business. Here are 3 keys that every coach or boss can use to help maximize the output of their team.

Have a Clear Direction

You can’t expect everyone to be on the same page and moving to accomplish the team or companies goals if they don’t clearly know what they are. It is your job to make sure that each person knows what is trying to be accomplished and what is expected the group and of them individually. Only after this happens are you able to have accountability within your team.

To get your message across you need to have two levels of communication. You need to have group communication followed up with personal communication. If you have a large company then this means communicating with each department head to make sure that they clearly understand what is needed from them and the people under them. Only after you have done this can you hold people accountable.

Buying in is Key

It doesn’t matter how great the game plan is if you are not able to get everyone on the same page and moving in the same direction. If part of the group is trying to do it one way and the other part of the team is doing something different, you are just going to have conflict and never get anywhere.

In college my basketball coach Ritchie Mckay used the analogy of everyone being in a circle. He and stepped into the center circle at half court and then told each coach and player to give an honest evaluation of themselves on whether they were bought into what the team was trying to do. If you were all the way bought in you put both feet in, one foot in and one foot out represented partially bought in, and two feet out meant not at all. I am not saying that you should do this but it is an eye opener to see what people think of themselves.

Once you have figured out where everyone stands you can better assess what you need to do as far as individually getting people to buy in. Not everyone is going to agree with the way that you do things but it is important that you make it clear that they need to be bought in and doing their best to accomplish your plan. If they are unable to do this then you may need to let them go and bring someone else in.

Every Person is Important

We have all heard the analogy of a team only being as strong as its weakest link and it is so true. In your mind picture are really strong and sturdy chain. One end of the chain is securely wrapped around an old stump that needs to be pulled out of the ground. The other end is hooked up to a big powerful F-350 truck that will have no problem pulling the stump out of the ground.

Right before the truck begins to pull the stump out of the ground you look closely at the chain and one of the links in the chain has been replaced with a paper clip. The truck begins to move forward and as soon as the chain begins to get taught the paper clip snaps and the job is failed.

That one weak link compromised the whole thing. The rest of the chain couldn’t compensate for that one weak link and it is the same way with a team. If one person in your group doesn’t do their job on the presentation you aren’t going to get the client or if one player misses their defensive assignment at the end of the game the other team will score and you will lose the game. All that to say that you need to make sure that you maximizing each persons output. It is that important to make sure that every single person is firing on all cylinders.

“There is no measure or limit to what you can do when you get everyone on the same page and moving in the same direction.” – Ritchie McKay

About the author

Kyle Ohman has played basketball at both the collegiate and professional level and is now the co-owner of BasketballHQ.com. He has also coached high school basketball at the national level.

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