Influence for Today's Coaches

Are your players able to communicate on the field without talking? Can they look, nod, point or make eye contact and make their point. Why is that important? What are the benefits?

Do you assess player personalities? Are there drawbacks? Will it help or hinder their performance? What are the benefits?

Would you consider yourself an honest coach? Would your players say the same? Are your decisions based on honesty? What challenges have tested your honesty?

How do you train your coaches? your players? with respect to leadership and challenges? Who does the training? What is the setting? Are coaches leaving your school more often than you want?

Are you surprised that no one has previously taught your players character, values and integrity? If you don't teach them who will? Should you make it a priority?

Which player personalities can you better relate to? Which ones seem to be more challenging? How can you be fair to all personalities?

Will you play it safe with your career? Are you willing to be all in and go after your dreams? Have you thought about what's on the other side of possible for you? Is it time to go after that job or career? If not now, when?

How do you react during tough or joyous moments on the sideline? Do you take a moment to think about the perception of your emotions? Will you look back and regret some of those moments?

How will you respond or react to parents who doubt your ability or philosophy? Can you be prepared? What do parents want in a coach?

What's your demeanor when the game is on the line? What do your players see and hear? Are you in control at these moments?

How will you deal with a dismal season? What will you say at the banquet? How can you change your program's culture? What example will you set for your players?

Divisiveness can be a huge issue for your team. Where does it originate? Could you be the cause? How could that be? What can you do?

Do you rank your players? Why or why not? Is it a benefit and driving force for players to know where they rank with respect to teammates? What are the dangers in ranking players?

What do fans, other teams and coaches see when your team plays? What could possibly set your team apart from other teams? Where does that originate?

What are your personal guidelines for social media? Are they for players and parents as well? Have you ever been blasted on social media? How did you deal with it? What common sense expectations are needed?

Are your players driven? Do they have a clear understanding of what that means? Have you shown them examples or taken them to see what it looks like outside your sport?

Could your personality be holding your team back? How would you know? Have you cost your team a game through your demeanor and actions?

What do you need from your Athletic Director or Director of Coaching? Do they know? How best can they serve you?

Are you able to move on and let tough coaching moments go? Have you experienced depression from outcomes that weren't favorable for your team? How can you deal with those times?

Will this be the class that pushes your team to success? What do they need to know? Will others try to derail them? Can your environment promote their growth?

What makes up the bones of your program? What does the foundation represent? What allows it to shine when others see you play or do community service?

Ever observe your players after a season ending loss? Can you tell if it means anything to them? Do they deal with it better than you?

Do your expectations have some "must haves?" Could your team develop a list of "must haves" for teammates, coaches, and captains?

How can you put your team in a position to be successful against a seemingly unbeatable opponent? Is it possible?

Are there players in your area playing out of district? What is your school district's policies? Are they enforced? How can they tackle this issue?