🏆 The Spark Plug

Winning teams often look the same. They have "Spark Plugs" to ignite their team.

Author

Greg Berge
October 26, 2023

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Here's what's coming:

  • Be a Spark Plug 🏆

  • Dean Smith GOLD 🥇

  • The 6 C’s of Great Teams 👏

  • Read Time ~ 5 minutes.

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💭 ONE THOUGHT
The Spark Plug

Winning teams always have similar characteristics. One of these is that of the energy players who bring positive energy to everyone.

These players are contagious.

They are the “Spark Plugs” for their team.

They know the team does not have time to wait for someone else to do it!

They know it only takes ONE spark to ignite a fire, and they provide this spark when needed.

What can players do to become spark plugs? Many things. But here is a starter list.

Here are 5 Ways to Be a Spark Plug for your Team:

1: BE VERBAL

Winning teams Communicate on the court or field!

“A quiet gym is a losing gym.”

Be verbal. Talk for your teammates. Communication is contagious. It builds energy and Fuels a team!

2: BRING THE EGBs

EGBs are Energy Giving Behaviors.

What are the EGBs in your sport? With both words and actions. In basketball, EGBs include diving for loose balls, hustle plays, drawing a charge in basketball, touches, and more.

The NBA once did a study on “touches,” a form of EGBs.

Steve Nash led the NBA in “touches” at 239 per game.

He was the MVP.

What are touches? High Fives, Fist Bumps, and Pats on the Back. Here is a great video from Alan Stein Jr. discussing the study.

His team WON. In the NBA that season, the teams that won the most had the MOST Touches! Spark your team with “touches.”

Spark plugs own the EGBs!

3: BE AN ENERGY GIVER

Similar to EGBs, spark plugs are energy givers.

Both verbal and non-verbal.

They bring “positive energy” to every practice and every game.

They are contagious.

These players are critical to team success. Be an energy giver and be a Spark Plug for your team!

4: ➕ BODY LANGUAGE

Body Language Screams! 😱

  • Listen with your eyes.

  • Sit up.

  • Be alert.

  • Nod in affirmation.

  • Smile.

  • Be confident.

Positive body language helps bring the spark! Positive body language is also contagious. So is negative body language.

Bring positive body language to your team and help create a winning culture.

5: CHALLENGE A TEAMMATE WHEN NEEDED

Sometimes, your teammates are not bringing any positive energy. Sometimes teammates bring negative energy.

They may not be playing hard. They may have bad body language. They may bad mouth other teammates or a coach.

Sometimes teammates need to be challenged.

Since spark plugs tend to those who often lead by example with their actions, they are in a great position to challenge teammates and hold them accountable when needed.

Be this type of leader.

Winning teams have them.

Be the one.

Summary:

Spark plugs are needed on great teams!

As a coach, it is critical that we encourage and emphasize the importance of spark plugs on our teams. Share these five thoughts as a starting point to develop your own spark plugs.

One more idea.

Celebrate your spark plugs! Remember, what gets emphasized becomes your culture. How can you do this?

One way is to use a product like My Postglow. What is My Postglow? Check out the AD at the beginning of this article. It is a great product to celebrate your athletes. Check it out.

Good luck!

📜 TWO QUOTES

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”

– Vince Lombardi

“What do you do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.”

– Dean Smith

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