Four P's of Successful Coaching - Passion

 Four P's of Successful Coaching - Passion

I absolutely love the game of basketball. I  love coaching the game of basketball. I love the preparation, practices, film study, and battle of the minds between coaches. I am always excited to learn new things on how to improve my coaching ability and understanding of the game. I always say that "The Grind Never Stops" for our basketball teams. This is how I want to be as a basketball coach. I never want to stop learning new ideas and concepts. It is so important to me to listen and learn. Sometimes, you can be surprised where you can learn new ideas from. They can come in the most unique or unexpected places. 

“I just love the game of basketball so much. The game! I don’t need the 18,000 people screaming and all the peripheral things. To me, the most enjoyable part is the practice and preparation” – Bob Knight

While I have a passion for basketball I also have a passion for coaching in general. There is no better feeling than seeing a kid understand a concept, get better, and grow as a person and athlete. It is difficult to describe the feeling that comes with coaching. It is absolutely a feeling of accomplishment, pride, and satisfaction. Knowing that what you are doing is working and you can visibly see the improvement is incredible. The hardest part with coaching is the work done outside of the game that is not seen. Parents, friends, and fans do not see the interactions that occur during practices and on bus rides in between games. The players are always learning and working to get better. Whether it be a better attitude or physical ability on the floor, we must always get better. 

I know, you are thinking that you HAVE to love the game to coach that sport. While I agree that you should always love the game in which you coach, it isn't always that simple. Some may do it just for a check and some may just do it due to lack of applicants (Necessity). Having that passion for the game can, hopefully, rub off on your players in a positive manner. Obviously, the opposite can have a negative effect on players much longer than just one season. The spread of negativity on an athlete can cause much more damage over the long haul. I have worked with and played for coaches that may be passionate about basketball but have a difficult time expressing it to their players. I, at times, can struggle with this as well. There is time when I do not practice patience and it can interrupt my passion for basketball. Just ask my wife, or any spouse of a coach, there are days that you may come home with a blank look on your face and a thought of what the hell did I get myself into. It happens! Trust me, it happens! You have to make sure the good out weighs the bad. If the bad is more prominent, that is not a good situation for you or the players. For me, the good seems to always outweigh the bad. Of course, there are situations that are worse than expected... but honestly, I believe it makes me a better coach and a better influence when I learn how to deal with difficult situations. 

IF IT WAS EASY EVERYONE WOULD DO IT!

As a sub-varsity coach, I learned early that a lot of the problems can be dumped on you. Players that take issue with the head coach, playing time, their performance, game plans, and just about any issue tend to voice their issues with an assistant opposed to speaking with the Head Coach. In a sort of different way it gives me a sense of pride that they are willing to come and speak to me and air the frustrations. Our team can grow and mature at a much better rate when issues are kept in house and dealt with. 

I will be the first to admit that during my senior year of high school, I allowed my passion to get in the way. I played for a coach that I didn't always see eye to eye with. I believe this plagued my entire season. I regret it more than anything from high school as it was and is my favorite sport. I know now, as a coach, the disruption that can happen between a team and its coach when one player takes issue with the coaching. I never thought I would be that type of player and its never the type of player I want to have. Having an open line of communication between myself and my team is critically important when it comes to success. If something just isn't working I want as much input as possible. It has (Somehow) been 9 years since I graduated high school and I always regret how that season went. It took me so long as a coach to realize the importance of BALANCING the players and my passion. It is so easy to interpret others love for the game as negative because it is different than yours.  

“Failure is good, it’s fertilizer. Everything I’ve learned about coaching, I’ve learned from making mistakes." -Rick Pitino

For any players out there that read this... Keep that child-like love of the game. Keep it fun and continue to grow. You must remember that if you have a dream of success you must work extremely hard for it. Kevin Durant once said "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” Our goal as a team is always to win championships. Championships are won in February and March, this doesn't signify that we can only work hard those two months. It's the time in between seasons and leading up to tournament time. Help spread your passion to get better to your teammates that may not have the same drive as you. 

Do you remember growing up and you had that one dream job?? A firefighter, a police officer, etc. I never wanted to stop being a part of the game of basketball. I wanted to be involved in some aspect of it. I played the game, I took up officiating games for a short while, but I LOVE COACHING! Being a part of the Leslie Basketball program for the last 9 years has been a life changer. Its not always easy and its not always fun (Losing, losing is never ever fun!) but it is what I love to do. Most people live their whole life without fulfilling a dream... while my dream as a Varsity coach has not been reached... I am too damn close to stop now! 

Go out and fulfill your dream and do what you are passionate about!