Teaching Defines Your Leadership

Intelligent and talented people who are motivated can learn how to become winners if they have someone who will teach them.
Leadership, at its best, is exactly that: teaching skills, attitudes and goals to individuals who are part of your organization. Most things in life require good teaching.

Bill Walsh On Handling Setbacks--Do's & Don'ts

I have always been impressed by the coaching and leadership of Bill Walsh. But the more I read and study about him the more impressive I become. The following are from his book, "The Score Takes Care Of Itself."

He talks about how when pursuing ambitious goals there are going to be setbacks. In order to reach those goals we have to learn how to manage those setbacks. Here are his suggestions:

Do's

1. Do expect defeat--it's a given. If you're surprised, you're dreaming and dreamers don't last long.
2. Do force yourself to stop looking backward and dwelling on the professional "train wreck" you have just been in.
3. Do allow yourself appropriate recovery--grieving time.
4. Do tell yourself, "I am going to stand and fight again," with the knowledge that often when things are at their worst you're closer than you can imagine to success.
5. Do begin planning for your next serious encounter.

Don'ts:

1. Don't ask, "Why me?"
2. Don't expect sympathy.
3. Don't bellyache.
4. Don't keep accepting condolences.
5. Don't blame others.

Passing Out Of A Trap

A few thoughts about passing out of a trap:

• Never throw over an athlete.
• Use the crackback.
• Pass around the trap.
• Fake a pass to make a pass.

Steps To Building A Successful Team

• Surround yourself with good people.
• Surround yourself with passionate people.
• Surround yourself with people who believe in servanthood.

The road to greatness says--> "I have very little

ability to finish anything on my own but

if we get together, we can accomplish much."

• Do not allow anyone to come in and break up the family unity of a TEAM must be protected and nurtured.

Internal Leadership

As we head into our Fall Workouts, one of the keys to our development is internal leadership. Here are a few thoughts:

1. First, we all must understand how important internal leadership is to our success.
2. If we don't have players who can lead internally, we'll have problems.
3. Veterans must teach our rookies.
4. We need echo yells.
5. Warren Buffet's 3 things he looks for when he hires: Work ethic, intelligence and character. The first two without the last one will kill you.

Wooden's Essentials For Internal Leadership

1. Less self, makes you selfless.
2. Don't draw attention to yourself. Don't be like the guy who coughs just before he puts his coin in the collection plate at church.

Making Sure Players Know What Is Expected

We want our players to play on automatic in games, not on manual. We believe that players will play on their heels unless they know what is expected of them. For example, we make sure they understand the reasons they come out of a game. Because, generally players feel they are being "yanked" for 1 mistake. So, we define and make sure they understand for example:

1. Multiple mistakes
2. Loaf
3. Match-ups
4. Hanging head, sulk, etc.
5. Fatigue
6. Fouls

Training The Everton Way

I'm the first to admit that I know very little about soccer. However, a recent article in ESPN magazine caught my attention. It is titled, "The Everton Way". It gives great insight into their teaching and player development. It is a great reminder for all of us as we are preparing for our fall IDW's.

"There are no secret mantras or exotic drills in the Everton Way; most of the training techniques are identical to those used at other major soccer academies around the world. The difference is in the details, or more precisely in the club's commitment to paying close attention to them.To the extent that the Everton Way has major tenets, they are as follows:

1. The best coaches should teach the youngest players, because lifelong habits are formed early;
2. All instructors should coach according to their expertise;
3. Winning doesn't matter until the kids are about 16; what does matter is TECHNIQUE and DEVELOPMENT.