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🔗 LINKS OF THE WEEK

🎥 Video: The Car Ride Home - An important video on being a Sports Parent that all coaches and parents should watch. [LINK]

🎙️ Podcast: Coach Collins and I discuss Communication Strategies for Leaders on our weekly leadership podcast [LINK]

📖 On the Web: Check out the Challenges of Hiring and Retaining Coaches article published in Coach & AD [LINK]

💭 ONE THOUGHT
Put Me In, Coach!

In 1985, John Fogarty wrote the classic sports-themed song “Centerfield.” Click here to listen! John Fogarty's song, “Centerfield.” 

“Oh, put me in, coach; I’m ready to play today. Put me in coach. I’m ready to play today. Look at me, I can be, centerfield.”

Put me in Coach.

Playing time (PT) is hard for many: hard for athletes, hard for parents, and challenging for coaches.

• How do you determine playing time on a team?

• What do coaches look for?

• What can a player do to earn more time?

Team sports are so rewarding because of the great life lessons they teach. They can also be very challenging for those who may not get the playing time they want.

The fact of the matter is that very few people play as much as they would like, even those who may play a lot.

Before we dive too deep, playing time expectations should be clearly defined at each level.

Layout Expectations by Level

Here is what we do in our basketball program:

• Elementary Level: Quality playing time for all who commit to attending practices. Why the word “quality?” Because the word "equal is impossible." We want to ensure all kids get an opportunity to show and grow their skills. We usually only bring nine kids to a tournament and rotate who goes, which ensures quality PT for all.

• Middle School Level: We follow the exact expectations of the elementary level. Quality playing time for all who commit to attending practices. Boys are still developing, and we want kids to get opportunities at this level.

• C-Squad Level: This is usually grade 9 and below for us. We tell parents we start playing more to win at this level. We will try to play as many kids as possible each game (maybe 10-12 in a competitive game), but the coaches balance winning with PT.

• JV Level: For us, this is grade 11 and below. We are playing to win but trying to develop our players for the varsity team next season. We may play 9-11 in a competitive game.

• Varsity: The best team our school can put on the floor, regardless of grade level. We are playing to win within our expectations and guidelines, of course. We will play 7-9 kids per game in a typical competitive game.

Coaches want committed players. How do you develop committed players? You have to reward them along the way. We move kids up levels if they have put in the time and have earned it.

We believe in the theme, “No Deposit - No Return!” It is the mantra of our program.

We also share how kids can earn more playing time. I wrote about this a while back here.

Define Roles

Once you have defined expectations, it is important to define roles and ensure everyone knows and understands the role you see for them. It is also essential the players know that roles can change throughout a season.

In order for players to accept their roles, they have to know their roles.

This is important.

This is where too many coaches drop the ball, in my opinion. They either promise playing time, do not define roles, or do not communicate this to players.

Most kids can accept their role if it is well communicated to them.

As I discuss roles, I often say we want you to “Be Great at What You Are Good At!”

We use our pre-season self-perception form to help with this process. You can download it for free here.

The playing time discussion happens at the college level, too. Consider this great talk by Matt Painter of Purdue.

Make sure you are clear with the role definition of each player.

Constant Communication

Finally, once you define roles and expectations, your coaching job is not done.

Constant communication is critical.

This is how your culture builds or erodes. Remember, culture is every day.

If you stop talking about roles and do not address players through the season, it is easy to have “Bad Apples” develop. These “Bad Apples” can sabotage a team culture behind the scenes.

I wrote about Bad Apples a while back.

Summary:

Playing time is hard for everyone. What is important is how you address it as a coach. Follow these three steps to make it easier for you.

1. Clear expectations are shared with all.

2. Clearly define roles for everyone.

3. Constant communication with a focus on culture.

Good luck!

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Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]