Times have changed that is for sure and they will continue to change that is also for sure. But one thing I feel is certain to have success and that is there has to be one leader who is willing to take charge. Now this leader doesn’t have to make all the decisions but they have to be accountable for all decisions that are made. Not pass the buck as I often see coaches in particular do. As a coach at the end of the day the buck stops with you – that is the cold hard truth. A great coach is able to get everybody working towards a common goal and have everybody accountable for each of his or her duties (whatever they may be). I feel in today’s world in particular it has become increasingly difficult to micro-manage all aspects of a team. Thus it is important to have good people around you that are willing to be accountable for their areas. If there is an unwillingness to be accountable then that person must go, regardless of their stature within an organisation.
This brings me to my title, when I was coming through as a junior we followed what the coach said or else you didn’t make the team or didn’t get any court time. It was a simple system that worked if the coach was knowledgeable or if the team was talented. Today young players have been taught to ask why, not how high? However I think as a coach you still have to have standards and guidelines that must be followed or otherwise – to use an old cliché – “The prisoners will run the prison.” Thus I feel it is fine to have input from the players but once all is decided then that is what is done. I know as a person I can be very outspoken at times and certainly love nothing more than a good robust discussion, however, once a decision has been made whether I agree or not then that is what I will follow if we all agree it is for the best. It is frustrating when you have a team meeting asking for input from all quarters and team members do not have the courage to talk and then will become recalcitrant.
What do I mean by that final statement. I hate it as a coach when players will not follow what has been decided and then they say in an individual meeting that they didn’t agree with the decision. My response is well you should have be willing to debate the issue at the time.
Let’s put the shoe on the other foot, how bad is it when a leader passes the buck. I hate when a coaches are not willing to take responsibility. It is hard work to be a coach. It takes a lot of sacrifice and hard work not just at training but also in preparation. Trying to wing it will not get the job done. I have found quite a few coaches say they could do the job better if they were full time etc. Well all I say is that you find a way; you get the right people to help you. There is always a way if you are willing to look hard enough and long enough. Interestingly while being full time helps it is not the total answer. You still have to address the issues that face a leader and be willing to make those decisions. Being full time may allow for more time to cover certain aspects but in the end you still have to be accountable as you accepted the position in the first place.
As I said I love robust discussion and I hope this article gets people talking, as I am sure not all will agree me but that is okay. Feel free to give some feedback on this. At the Hawks we welcome different ideas.
With energy
Shawn Dennis
