by Mike Davenport, Coaching Sports Today
I’ve noticed many coaches (especially myself) have a few coaching tricks we hold on to.
Honestly, I’ve tried many of the new, latest-and-greatest tricks. Especially when it comes to using the newest technology whiz-bang gizmo. But seldom do I find new ones that work as well as my current tricks, so I keep coming back to just a few tricks I can count on.
A few special ones that really work for me.
I keep my coaching tricks in a bag that is never far from hand, just like the cartoon character Felix the Cat.
That’s the way most old coaches are. We hold on dearly to what works and keep them close by. And I do consider myself an old coach (with around four decades of coaching experience).
After all those years there are two things I have learned
First, OLD coaches can learn NEW tricks. Certainly.
But second, and more importantly. . .
YOUNG coaches can (and should) learn OLD tricks.
The type of trick that is BOMB PROOF.
A trick that works, and works, and works. Time-tested, if you will.
Why?
Because young coaches are a highly motivated group. Looking for ways to improve. Trying to get to the finish before the other coach does. Willing to try new and old tricks alike. The old tricks that have survived usually do so because they work.
What does this have to do with you?
If you consider yourself an old coach (been through, say, more than 7 seasons) how about writing down 3 or so tricks that you always use in your coaching. Just don’t think about them, write them down. Then, share those old tricks with a young coach.
Sounds awkward, I know. And maybe egotistical.
But by sharing even just one of those old coaching tricks in a graceful and generous manner, with a young coach, you may reap rewards in ways that will surprise you. And if you’re a young coach, six seasons or less, how about asking the advice of an older coach. You may be surprised at what you learn, and might make an old coach feel just a little bit better about coaching.
A little give-and-take can go a long way. That right there is one of my coaching tricks.
Learn from Dr. Davenport’s four decades of college coaching experience by visiting Coaching Sports Today. Or, to work with Mike in his role as National Recruiting Coordinator here at Tudor Collegiate Strategies, email him at mike@dantudor.com