CAP II CLIPBOARD
this is complete, knowing, commitment to the team and the coach. The players follow the coach’s lead because it feels right to them. Principle-based relationships create level of trust that coaches should strive for. These relationships may take more time and work to develop, but will result in a fulfi ll- ing experience for everyone. To be truly effective as leaders we, as coaches, must lead with our heads and our hearts. As a leader, introspection is necessary while examining why someone would chose to follow you and listen to your instructions. In order to affect others, lead- ers must know themselves fi rst. In order to bring a positive change in others, the coach must be willing to change, or at least change their perspective fi rst.
As David O. McKay taught, “The great- est battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul.” As coaches, we face thousands of decisions each season as the team forms and prepares for play, deci- sions that require answers. The best answers to a leader’s toughest questions will be found by searching inwardly, instead of looking in a “quick fi x” book. Coaches should take time daily to fi nd the answers to those tough ques- tions by looking inwardly. The next answer to fi nd is what leaders must do.
First, accept the premise that you are both a leader and a follower, whether it is in the role of parent, child, sibling, friend, player or coach. Accept that all the emotional frailty of the human experience applies to both the coach and the players. Then, understand that your words have meaning to each of those players so it is important that you choose your words wisely. Take the time to explain, answer the “why we are doing this” question, and fi nally let them play. Practices should be something the kids are excited to come
BOND OF BROTHERS: Dylan Davis, left, and Maurice Torres of the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team embrace after a big point.
“As a team builder, helping others achieve success together is the goal.”
to, not dreading the event each day. The three major roles of a coach are a trailblazer, a team builder and a farmer. A trailblazer must have vision and show others the way. Additionally, a trailblazer will develop the ability to probe for the real needs of the individual and team alike and come up with a strategy that provides for both. The coach’s direction must come from within, from unarguable truths based on guiding principles. Have a reason why you teach techniques a certain way that is deeper than,
54 | VOLLEYBALLUSA
“this is the way we have always done it.” The trailblazer sets the pace and the example for others to match, always keeping in mind the goals for success and the welfare of the others on the trail. The coach sets the pace and tone of the practice, always ensuring that time spent in a particular drill will transfer to success in a match, and always mindful of the safety and well-being of each player. Next, as a team builder, helping others achieve success together is the goal. An important foundation in the strat- egy of building a team is creating a safe environ- ment for everyone to take chances in. Always ensure that a “zero-de- fect mentality” is not present on the team. A team builder will strive to use honest mistakes as teaching points. Always encourage players to push outside their comfort zone and never create an environment
where players believe they will be pulled from a game for making a mistake. Also know when to get out of the way, realizing that all of the best work gets accomplished when the coach is on the sidelines. Finally, the coach as a farmer recognizes that some of the greatest work takes place be- hind the scenes. For example, bringing crops to harvest requires preparation of the ground, removing barriers to success like stones and roots, planting the seeds, applying the right amounts of sun and water, and protecting
the crops from destructive pests. Leaders, as farmers, must ensure all the ingredients to success exist on the team and the right amount of time is spent in practice to bring success during the match. Coaches should also be aware of the barriers to success, such as destructive social cliques, like weeds, are removed. The coach needs to be able to detect what makes the team members work well together and ensure that support systems are in place and working, like a strong parent involvement in helping organize off-court ac- tivities for the team. The farmer coach must also be willing to let the seeds he or she has sown germinate and grow – realizing that one cannot speed farm.
Coaches acting in the roles of trailblazers, team builders and farmers can be summed up to coaches being servants. We create trust in the people around us by becoming their servants, by getting to know and understand them, and by always following through. Learning to lead comes from within. Attending training and reading books on coaching are important, but cannot replace the development of individual ideas on leadership.
The coaches today who only study the actions of great coaches from the past must realize that the recipe for success is incom- plete without considering the player and parent perspectives. The leaders who look inwardly to change fi rst will always draw others to them. Coaches should lead with their heads by providing players and parents a clear vision and leading with their hearts by listening and understanding players and searching inwardly for answers to the tough- est questions.
PHOTO: FIVB
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64