LESSONS FROM THE GOALPOST

“My best skill was that I was coachable, I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.” -Michael Jordan

It is said that for learning to take place, there must be the right environment, a knowledgeable teacher, and a receptive learner. Our job as coaches is to provide the environment and be knowledgeable. However, the willing learner is the primary component to a great learning environment. Players must be able to accept team expectations, discipline, and instruction. An athletic program has a blueprint for your success, is a privilege, and must be earned.

Your success and development will greatly depend on your ability to be coachable. A coach’s primary purpose is to help you, and the team become its best version. The faster a player can learn a concept, the quicker they can be taught a new concept. Applying a coaches’ instruction is the foundation of improvement. Not being coachable is the fastest way to not reach your goals. At the end of the day, if the coach is doing his/her job, then it is on the player to listen and apply information.

Being coachable seems simple but can be more difficult than what one thinks. Ultimately, we don’t want players to just do what we say…. We call that being “Compliant.” We want to see a change in behavior and habits across their life…. This is what really defines being truly “Coachable.” Player led teams have great discipline in the area of coach-ability. We also know that players need a process to make this vision become a reality.

4 STEPS:

1. Awareness: Players need to understand that they are their own CEO… They are not the employee of their life, they are completely in charge of their choices. They ultimately have to make the decision to sell out to coaching.
2. Daily Battle of Conviction vs Compromise: They must win the mental challenges that could compromise them from doing the right thing. Compromise is the enemy of coach-ability, while conviction is that tug at your heart to listen to the truth and follow the path.
3. Repentance Is Necessary: Repentance does not mean to admit guilt, it means to “Turn Back.” No one is perfect and players are not always going to be coachable. They are going to make mistakes, but must turn back to doing right. Your coach, decisions, or teammates can get you back on track.
4. Make a Covenant: Decide in your heart who you are going to be… To be truly coachable, you have to have high standards. Great players make a decision to do what ever it takes to be their best… This includes listening to those that can make them better. Make that promise to yourself.

Conquer the Daily Challenges and Conquer being Coachable!