🏆 You Can’t Coach Effort

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💭ONE THOUGHT
You Can’t Coach Effort

What is the secret to team success?

Hard Work.

It is not rocket science. There are no easy ways out. You must put in the time.

Hard Work Wins. That is why our program's mantra is “No Deposit—No Return.”

Effort is the cornerstone of athletic success. Can it be coached?

Many coaches say you cannot coach effort.

Here is Caitlin Clark talking about “coaching effort” in a post-game interview.

Coaches may not be able to “coach” effort, but they can develop players who give great effort as a part of their team culture.

In essence, we need to create a winning-effort mentality.

Coaching is what we allow, what we emphasize, and then doing this every day.

We can “Emphasize” hard work and effort. We must demand excellence and hard work. There are no shortcuts, and what we emphasize matters.

But how do you do it? How do you demand a standard of excellence in your team?

For me, I talk about a lot of things that allow us to “stack” the mentality of hard work into our culture. Here is what we emphasize day after day.

• “No Deposit - No Return” Philosophy

• “Everything is Earned” Mindset

• There are “No Shortcuts” to Success

• A “Lunch Bucket” Mentality

• “Blue Collar” Approach in ALL We Do

• And the list goes on…

In addition, we keep practices very competitive and short so that our players stay fresh and hungry.

I believe that if effort is a standard in our culture, then we will get great effort from our players.

So, how do you encourage hard work?

Here are 5 quick ways why effort is non-negotiable and how to foster it in your team:

1. Self-Motivation

Athletes need to find their drive and passion. Encouraging self-motivation helps them push through challenges and stay committed.

As Kobe Bryant said,

Kobe’s relentless drive and self-motivation showcased the incredible effort he put into winning.

Kobe loved the process. He loved the grind.

2. Accountability

Holding athletes accountable for their efforts ensures they take ownership of their performance. Set clear expectations and follow through consistently.

3. Lead by Example

Coaches must model the effort they expect. Demonstrating hard work and dedication inspires athletes to match your commitment.

4. Create a Competitive Environment

A competitive and supportive environment can boost effort levels. Foster healthy competition where athletes strive to improve and outdo their personal bests.

5. Reward Effort, Not Just Results

Recognize and reward effort. Celebrate the hard work that leads to progress, not just the outcomes. This reinforces the value of putting in the work.

Check out Geno Auriemma on great players and effort.

Summary:

Effort cannot be coached, but a coach can create a culture that emphasizes and rewards effort.

This culture becomes a norm or expectation that allows programs to excel.

Remember, building culture is the #1 job of a coach!

Are you looking for more on culture? It is one of my key modules in Better Coach OS.

Check it out!

📜 TWO QUOTES

THE TEAM LEADER OS

The Team Leader OS: The Ultimate Leadership Resource for Coaches. 

A practical and flexible leadership program for coaches to use with their teams.

Click here to learn more: The Team Leader OS.

🔗 LINKS OF THE WEEK

🎥 Video: Insane work ethic from Kobe Bryant

🎙️ Podcast: Coach Collins and I discuss the concept of Collective Leadership in this Basketball Leadership Podcast episode.

🆇 ICYMI: What do you find in great coaches? The same things. [Link]

What Practice Planning Software Do You Use? Check out Practice Planner LIVE! I have used it for 13 years - get a FREE 14-day trial.

𝐗 THREE POSTS FROM OTHERS

📚 BOOKS, COURSES, BUNDLES, & FREE RESOURCES

Bundles:

• The OS Bundle - Save $ when you get the Team Leader OS and Better Coach OS.

• Mega Bundle - Get ALL of my paid resources, save BIG $.

• Super Bundle - Bundle all four of my books and save $.

• Buy Two, Get One Free - My three most popular books.

• Culture Wins Book Bundle - Both books for a discount.

• ADs: Want site licenses for a school? Reply to this email for more.

Courses, Curriculum, and More:

• Team Leader OS - Develop your team leaders year after year.

• Better Coach OS - Masterclass course to be a better coach.

• Culture Wins Curriculum - Growing curriculum to use with a ‘Captain’s Council’ concept in your school.

• Pre-Season Playbook - 33 pages to prepare for your season.

• Off-Season Playbook - The season’s done, but the work is not.

Books:

• Culture Wins - 50 ways to build a winning culture.

• Culture Wins 2 - 50 MORE ways to build a winning culture.

• Coaching Gold - Winning insight and wisdom for coaches.

• Great Teams Better Leaders - Actionable ideas for coaches.

• Paperback books (AMAZON) - All of my books are on Amazon.

Free Resources:

• 300-Hour Club - Offseason program used by all sports.

• Pre-Season Perception Form - Use before the season begins.

• Motivation Playbook - 30 pages of my favorite messages.

• Coaching Wisdom - Wisdom gathered from over 300+ coaches.

• Team Handbook Template - A template for your handbook.

• Sports Parent Handbook - 20 commandments for sports parents.

• Team Leader Roadmap - Give team leaders a roadmap to lead.

• Great Teammate Rubric - What does a great teammate look like?

• 150 Coaching Acronyms - Gathered from my followers on X.

• 101 Coaching Phrases - Gathered from my followers on X.

• 100 Daily Doses of Culture - 100 phrases for coaches.

Find all FREE books and resources at gberge.gumroad.com.

👀 LOOKING FOR MORE?

1. Interested in Sponsoring an Issue? Reply to this email or click here: Sponsor Great Team Better Leaders.

2. Are you seeking a Culture or Leadership workshop for your team or school? Contact Greg for more information.

3. Interested in a 1:1 Coaching Call with Greg? Reply to this email to request more information.

Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]