Planning backwards - and a look Ahead to this week

Part of what makes coaching so enjoyable is the competitive challenge that every year presents. Every team has different chemistry, vibe, talent, style, character, strengths and weaknesses.

Despite those differences, however, I attempt to consistently apply some principles across the different teams and years. In this first blog post of the year, I want to share some of those principles that I hope guide my coaching.

1. Have patience with a team. We do not enter the season a completed work. I try to think about where I hope the team can be in our last game of the season, and steadfastly work to get THERE. What do we need to improve today? Tomorrow? in a week? What are the strengths we want to utilize more of? What are the weaknesses we need to address?

2. Believe that every player is capable of improvement every day and specially over the course of a season. Focus on asking every player to improve and learn from mistakes and successes every day. While there are some mistakes I will have less patience with (there are some "Simply don't do that" examples), I want players to feel like they can just play their hardest, and fail or succeed spectacularly.  

3. "Concentrate on the Process and not the Result" - if we collectively and individually play well and up to our ability, that is the important part. I have learned not to say "we really need to win this game" but rather, "execute, play hard, play for each other, this is our game plan, Play well" and I think that is freeing to players, and indeed, leads to better results and to a can-do, never quit attitude. 

4. We all need to be accountable - players need to be demanding of each other, while also being encouraging, and...listen when you are given feedback by your fellow players and by your coaches. Evaluate individual and team performance, analyze where improvement is needed, and be OPEN to the idea that we always seek to improve. 

5. Be a selfless teammate - understand the role being asked of us, perform that role positively and to the best of our abilities. We all have a part to play, and everyone contributes to the team's overall performance. This goes for practices, and games, for coaches and players, for starters and reserves. We all contribute to the success of a team.   

6. Somehow teach intensity, competitiveness, and having FUN at the same time. 

When we apply those principles I think we will find ourselves:

• competing with, and even beating teams that are objectively better than us, or that we have previously lost to, or in hostile and challenging situations that require perseverance, toughness and togetherness.
• playing to a high standard when confronted with a team that is lower than our level of play.

WHAT A START TO THE SEASON THIS WEEK PROVIDES - Tuesday and Thursday we will play two of the best and most respected programs in the state - Windsor at home Tuesday evening, and then Northfield on the road Thursday. They should be great tests . Let's prepare, and then play our best, and LEARN from the games no matter the result.

Coach

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