Gaining the Trust of Your Team

 As a coach you need to know how to do many things.  You need to know X's and O's.  You need to understand game situations.  You need to understand different styles of play.  You need to be able to scout and opponent and how to self scout honestly and openly.  You need to be unbiased in your decision making and make sure you select the best players to make your team.  The one thing that is most important to do is to have your players trust you.  To be a good coach you need to be able to say things to your players and they need to believe what comes out of your mouth.  How do you do that?  How can you, as a coach, lay down a plan and then have your kids believe that what you say is what they need to try to do?  There are 7 ways you can do this.

  1. Be prepared for practice and games - Don't ever seem disorganized.  Always plan.  The old adage that if you fail to plan you plan to fail is valid here.
  2. Prepare your team for as many contingencies as possible in practice - The old adage that luck is where preparation meets opportunity is valid here.  Prepare your team for as many scenarios as possible.  What are you going to play against a specific zone?  What happens if they switch zones?  What if they play man?  Press?  What do you do at end of games when you are winning?  Losing?  What if nothing is working?  Who is the player on your team that you can turn to to help carry you thru tough patches?  Cover as much as you can.
  3. Show that you know your stuff - In practice show the players what you want them to do but also show them why you want them to do them.  This will show to players that you know what your doing.
  4. Talk to your players - Don't be afraid to talk to your players about various things including how school is going and what other things they get involved with. Be careful not to get too personal but show them you care.  I like to go around the gym at the beginning of practice and speak with as many of them as possible.  Do not go to the same group everyday.  You need to make sure that you show no favoritism.  Talk to all of your players.  Show the team that you care for everyone.
  5. Never embarrass your players in front of their teammates - never show players up in front of teammates.  If they make a mistake pull them to the side and talk to them.  You don't need to make an example of them in front of everyone.
  6. Encourage and interact with your players - Give high fives and fist bumps.  Be encouraging if things are going bad for them.  Fight for them if you feel they are being wronged.  Show them that you are on their side.
  7. Plan a party instead of a practice - Surprise the team with some pizza during a practice and have them enjoy.

The list above is the a small yet valid list of ways to gain trust of your team.


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