Category Archives: Coaches’ Corner
Coaching Tip #9: Is it time to Move?
Opportunity for change. Regardless of our present circumstance, a “grass is greener” perspective and appeal can be inherent to a new vision. Our heart deceives us as we escape the reality of our current issues. Wise counsel is available in the story of King Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25.
King Amaziah enjoys success in battle and contemplates a move. Visions fill his head of recent successes and anticipated future victories. Unfortunately for the King, he fails to recognize the reality of his current condition. Amaziah has abandoned the God who brought him triumph in favor of idols worshiped by his defeated opponent. Amaziah’s issue involves pride and humility. He is about to make a disastrous move.
God tries to convince Amaziah of impending destruction, first though an unnamed prophet and then through one of the his peers. In verse 19, King Jehoash of Israel tries to talk sense into his fellow king. “You (Amaziah) have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and you have become overconfident that you will get glory. Now stay at home. Why stir up such trouble so that you fall and Judah with you?”
Given opportunities to change, move, or transfer, our hearts often deceive us, blinding us to the true issues. God’s warns us in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Be sure to check your heart before making any significant move. In evaluating change, consider all the reasons for the appeal. If you are willing to face the truth, you may find Jehoash’s counsel wise: “Now stay at home.”
Coaching Tip #8: Discipline is a Must
Many are familiar with the old testament teaching which tells us not to withhold correction from a child. ”If you beat him with a rod, he will not die.” Prov 23:13
But perhaps a more staunch warning appears in Chapter 19. ”Discipline your son while there is hope. Don’t be intent on killing him.” Prov 19:18 The NIV translation reads, “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”
Not only will discipline not kill our children or spoil them…if we choose not to discipline them, we contribute to their death. God does the same for us. ”Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.” Rev 3:19
There are only two kinds of pain: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. One leads to victory and an abundant life. The other unfortunately, leads to death. Choose life for your children and your athletes!
Coaching Tip #7: Don’t Drink the Kool Aid
The “Saturation point.” If coaches are not careful, it can happen somewhere near the end of two-a-day practices. Players become difficult to reach, and coaches’ ability to inspire gets severely tested when players think they’ve learned all there is to know. Truth be known, we coaches often contribute to the problem. We watch the video of a practice or scrimmage and think privately, “We’re good.” In our walk, we communicate our confidence to our fellow staff members and players… sometimes without saying a word. The players assume they have arrived.
Is confidence a bad thing? Absolutely not. But confidence is not based on a snapshot. Confidence is a mode of operation rooted in continuous assessment, recalculation, revision, adjustment and recommitment. The industry leader can’t sit still, because number 2 wants to be number 1.
Our walk with God is similar. We must constantly look to grow in our understanding and knowledge of God. We can not become complacent, believing we have learned all there is to know. Matthew 12 teaches us to not only eradicate sin and clean our house, but to fill the space with Godliness. Failure to do so can result in the arrival of evil 7 times worse than what we experienced initially.
On the weekend of the first game, half the teams in the country – who thought they were ready – find out they had not judged themselves accurately. Those teams are disciplined by losing. Good coaches then make adjustments to insure losing ways don’t continue. Good coaches see their teams as they really are, and help their teams to likewise see the truth.
God tells us in 1 Cor 11: 31-32 to judge ourselves properly. Why? Because God loves us too much to let us live a lie. If we continue to deceive ourselves, God disciplines us so we won’t be condemned with the world. God sees our heart. So be careful not to let any one snapshot of your team… paint an inaccurate image of your progress. Don’t live a lie or let your team live a lie. In other words…Don’t drink the Kool Aid!
Coaching Tip #6: See It Again
Have you ever told your players to, “Practice till you get it right”? We’ve certainly all heard and perhaps said, “Practice makes perfect.” An outstanding football coach with whom I once worked had an expression central to his success. He used it everyday. It said he loved his players, and was committed to completing their development. It told his players they had not yet achieved perfection. The expression said he would not compromise the standard. It said we will keep working until the standard became the norm.
In Matthew 5:48 God gives us the standard: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.” Paul acknowledges we have work yet to do in Phil 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, tells us persistence will pay off. And Hebrews 13:5 insures God will stay with us until we are perfect: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
My coaching friend may not have been grammatically correct in his instruction, but he echoed the heart of God everytime he said to his players, “See it again!” His persistence let his players know – not only would they practice until they got it right – but together they would, “Practice till they can’t get it wrong.”
Coaching Tip #5: Focus on the Process
We live in a “bottom line” world. As a result, we often focus our attention there. Overseers are certainly concerned with the bottom line. Can you hear yours saying, “Don’t tell me how hard you worked, just tell me what you got done;” or “I don’t want to hear about the labor pains, just show me the baby”?
In competition, the objective is to win. Focusing too closely on the scoreboard however, is an ineffective and confusing approach. Some would ask whether focusing on winning is even possible. Winning as an objective is, in many ways… abstract. What is not abstract however, is being on time for a meeting, utilizing warm-up and stretch time to prepare muscles for practice or finishing through the line in a drill. Focusing on the process keeps us from missing opportunities right in front of us.
God encourages us in Matthew 6:34 to not look too far ahead. “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He also promises to instruct us on each and every step if we will go to His word. “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105.
Coaching Tip #4: Gaining Respect
Gaining players’ respect is every coaches’ goal. Respect insures players listen when coaches speak. Respect keeps players trusting when understanding is not complete. Respect sustains credibility when critics, doubters and neigh-sayers grow loud.
If respect is so valuable, how can we be sure to earn it? Following three biblical principals will help insure a coach earns player respect:
1. Show players you care about them as individuals separate from athletic potential or performance. (1 Samuel 16:7)
2. What you require of your athletes…never compromise. (1 Cor 11:31-32)
3. Outwork your players. (Proverbs 14:23)
Principal #1
I don’t imagine Jesus looked at the prostitute caught in the act, Peter as the rooster crowed or your receiver who dropped the critical pass… with eyes of condemnation. Jesus looked at their hearts. Players know by the treatment of talented players as compared with the less talented and peak performers as compared with “goats” if coaches care about them as individuals.
Principal #2
Once a standard is set, moving the line only serves to confuse. Decide what is required, and stay with the requirement. God said we are to judge ourselves properly. If we don’t measure up, He doesn’t lower the standard… He disciplines us. Why? So we won’t be condemned with the world. Don’t lower the bar. Help ‘em jump higher!
Principal #3
If you know Jesus you are saved by faith, you walk in grace and you are set free by the truth. But as we learn in James 2, faith without works is dead. Work unto the Lord. Paul tells us in Col 3;23 that grace leads to a work ethic. Our players work hard. Have a blue-collar mindset. As God’s word tells us, “there is profit in all hard work.” Outwork ‘em!
Coaching Tip #3: What is a Coach?
How would you describe a coach? Is he/she an instructor or a mentor? A manager or tutor?
A trainer or a guru? For those following Jesus, the role of “Coach” might be most clearly outlined in the fourth chapter of Ephesians. The calling has two elements both of which are listed in Ephesians 4:11 – that of pastor and that of teacher. Both parts are integral to a coaches’ performance. Looking at the teaching component of the calling, we find three necessary abilities:
Possession of Knowledge
Ability to Communicate
Ability to Inspire
Whether you coach young athletes, professional athletes or businessmen and woman, development as a teacher involves improvement in these areas. Those burdened to be great coaches constantly work to improve their knowledge base, their effectiveness in communicating and their intentional inspiration. Perhaps God’s promise in Proverbs can serve as our inspiration… Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men. (Proverbs 22:29)
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men. (Proverbs 22:29)
Coaching Tip #2: Let Them In
Guests come to our house, and our first thought is often, “What does it look like inside?” Before we consider opening the door, we calculate time needed to put the unsightly stuff away 
and dust off what remains. If we really want to impress, and all’s not in order, we suggest they return another time.
Wait until you’re ready for marriage, you may always be single. Wait until your life is a model of perfection before sharing, and you’ll miss the best part of coaching.
Don’t share all your sins and struggles with your players…but don’t pretend not to have them. Share your successes, your failures, your dreams and your fears. Live out the ideals you work so hard to impart. Share your life with your players.
A requisite characteristics of leadership is “keeping it real.” Players want relationships. Don’t keep them outside while you clean up inside. If you are victorious let them celebrate with you. As you fix what’s broken, players should see you renovate. Let them see how a Godly man does life. Let them in!
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) If you have been called to coach, God has provided opportunity to sow into the lives of your players. God loved us when we were unlovable…so can our players. Let them in!
Coaching Tip #1: Athletes “Talking Back”
What does it mean when an athlete talks back to his or her coach? Is he or she being insubordinate? What does talking back sound like…or look like? Is the communication always verbal?
At one point in my coaching career, a player talking back to a coach was viewed as an affront to authority. Bo Schembechler taught me long ago attacking a problem immediately and head on – if not the best option – was always better than avoiding the issue. The appropriate response was to put down the uprising.
Time and experience have revealed however, most often the insurrection represents the tip of an iceberg which has little to do with sport or your coaching. The outburst confirms the athlete’s recognition you love them. They are seeking your help with the “ice” lying beneath the surface.
Rolling eyes, sucking teeth or assuming a challenging body posture are usually similar pleas for engagement. Only by getting over ourselves and putting aside our own pride do we have a chance to get down to the heart of the matter with those over whom we have authority.
So put on the eyes of the Lord at practice. ”Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)