I know I can be a lazy coach sometimes and when I start to complain about how my team isn't focused during practice that week, it probably has more to do with me as a their coach then them as unfocused players!
What am I talking about? I'm talking about not being prepared or ready for practice every day to my full capacity.You know what I'm talking about…when you say to yourself, "I'll just wing it…I have it all in my head anyway."
Now, let's take an honest look at what happens when we "just wing it!"
First off, our players aren't stupid. They can tell when we are just winging it. How? Because lack of planning always turns into frustration. Frustration turns into yelling and nothing good comes from being the screamer coach all practice long. You remember when you were a player and your coach had a bad day? Unfortunately those days are probably burned into your memory.
So…instead of blaming our athletes for being unfocused all week long, lets plan a practice that makes them focus and grow as individual athletes every day.
Here are my "Six Steps To Refocus Your Team In One Week"
1. Tell your assistants about this weeks emphasis on focus and ask them to help you hold the team accountable. Emphasize that we are not punishing the team for lack of focus, rather we are setting a higher expectation. The differences is that we explain to them what we want and then if it is not acceptable, we repeat the process until it is. Then we give praise. Don't fall into the rut of giving burpees or pushup or whatever every time there is a screw up. It doesn't really build up team, it just makes the player at fault feel guilty and then fear failure. You don't want to promote fear of failure, you want mistakes to be acceptable as long as they are used as a learning tool. Football players who play without fear of failure play faster and better every time!
2. Tell you team about the week's emphasis on focus. I have a great resource on what being a Champion is all about and it covers essential motivational topics including key beliefs on how to focus as a team and individual.
Click HERE to get this incredible free motivational resource.
This is also a great way to enforce what you just told your assistants because if they are still thinking they want to do it their way, now they have to follow along because everybody is on the same page and knows what is going to happen.
3. Next, make sure you run practice on time efficiently. Make sure the players transition is focused. Keep segments from dragging on too much. Rotate players often to keep everyone involved. A written plan I have found is a great way to stay on track. Resist the temptation to run just "One more play!" Remember it is always better to end on a high note and with players wanting more! Then you know you have captured their focus.
4. In your coaching make sure you use progressions. Know that learning happens in stages and if a stage isn't completed properly you cannot advance to the next step. Start with the explaination, then the walk through and run through. Add in more variables and finally run the play at full speed.
5. Have a complete game plan set up for the week. Have your scout team cards done and all your scripts ready to go. Try to keep practice moving. Don't stop for long explanations unless the segment calls for it.
6. Finally, take time to reflect on practice immediately afterwards with assistants before walking off the field. It can be a very simple chat where you ask coaches how their segements went. Usually, this is all it takes because most coaches by their response to the question are already reflecting and you as a coach just have to be a good listener. Don't jump in right away and start telling your assistants what they need to change. Rather, offer them your help or better yet, time in the schedule the following day to make the improvements they would like to make.
Good luck with getting your focus reset this week! Don't forget to get this Free Motivational Resource on what it means to be a Champion!
