In Part 1 of this series, understanding the why behind coaching, it was clear coaches love their players, and it's more than talent and winning.
It's the personality, skill, coachability, and energy that totals more than the sum of its parts to make an ideal teammate. So, of course, I wanted to ask, what does a coach look for in their players?
Coaches unanimously said they are looking for selflessness, players willing to give of themselves for their team. Humility: players who recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, are receptive to feedback, and value the contributions of others. GRIT, integrity, and perseverance, someone who is trustworthy and demonstrates honesty and respect for the game and to their teammates, shows resilience and is willing to continue trying even after setbacks.
For our younger youth teams, one coach said that work ethic and willingness to fail is key. At such a young age, not being afraid to mess up or make a mistake is important, this is where the growth happens.
A great player is humble, kind, and always willing to try again to get it right, close to perfect. When you are still growing in your skills, that should not stop you from always giving 110% effort.
When looking for a leader, coaches agree they look for these same qualities but also someone who is a servant leader, consistent, always modeling the right behavior, and able to clearly communicate.
A leader can bring the team together, motivate others, elevate their teammates to the next level of play, and hold others accountable. A leader recognizes that every day is an opportunity to improve and demonstrate growth throughout all aspects of life.
Developing players and leaders is a priority and what draws many successful coaches into the industry. However, I think one of the biggest frustrations we face, as coaches' wives, is the questioning and sometimes judgment from others regarding the coaching lifestyle. So, with most coaches raising their families throughout their coaching career, I really wanted to understand how the aspect of family is incorporated into the team from THEIR perspective.
Not to my surprise, everyone had a similar answer: family is their number one, and they raise their kids with several older siblings to serve as role models and mentors.
Coaches' kids are surrounded by other coaches, players, and leaders. They understand what it's like to be a team, as this culture has been instilled in them since day one. A quality that has also proven to be an asset as these children grow up, and you can see their own sense of team, energy, ethics, and leadership being played out both in and out of games as they mature.
Finally, I asked about legacy and what each coach hopes to leave behind and be remembered for. Every coach has such a profound impact on more lives than they will ever know. Here is what they had to say:
Coach L: "Love! I don't ever want my people to question that I loved them and was always real with them."
Coach A: "My hope is that they would say they knew I loved them all, that I had a positive impact on their life both within their sport, and that they became a better person because of my influence."
Coach K: "That I passed on my love of the game to others and was able to not only help them grow with their skills on the court but also off the court in terms of attitude, teamwork, and willingness to persevere through challenges."
Coach N: "That I showed love and taught players to approach basketball with a "palms down" mindset, meaning they are always in full control of their actions. With correct habits and daily effort, this allows you to achieve anything you set your mind to."
To be continued…