Do it for the K.I.D.S.
College, High School, and Youth lacrosse seasons are in full swing and as I’ve faced my own challenges this past week as a high school lacrosse coach I find it important to take a step back, a deep breath, and remember why I do it in the first place.
Team selections are difficult in any organization from professional teams all the way down to learn-to-play. Program leaders, players, parents, and coaches all have a difficult time making and accepting decisions. It’s a process that is emotionally crushing for those that don’t get the desired placement or get cut from the team. It can also be emotionally crushing for the decision makers… coaches are humans too.
So, how do we all deal with it?
I’ve created an acronym that I find helpful when dealing with upset or crushed players.
K.I.D.S.
Kindness - sports can be a ruthless and cutthroat atmosphere. Treat players that are being cut or not given the placement they desire with kindness. Approach the situation with the goal of that player wanting to continue to play.
Identity - have you figured out what kind of player this is? Can you identify their strengths and weaknesses? Give them their current identity as an individual player and what their identity could look like with the next letter->
Direction - give that player a clear path to success. Share the drills, workouts, and film that they will need to get to where they want to be as a player and within the team.
Support - give that player the support that they need. Let them know that if they follow your direction, you BELIEVE they will succeed. Make sure that the leaders in your program know that this player needs support. I like to say “pump their tires up”.
Coaches of all sports are challenged by the desire to win versus developing their players into great individuals both on and off the field. These two things can conflict in many ways and it can be emotionally tearing for coaches and players. As coaches, if we remember to take care of each player, then the players will take care of the team and put the team first. When that happens, winning takes cares of itself. In other words the small things matter the most, the individuals in the team matter the most. When those things are taken care of the big things take care of themselves.
Remember coaches, we do it for the K.I.D.S.
Winning is fun, but the biggest reward in coaching is your players’ success in life decades down the road that you get to witness.
MARK STAPOR
Mark is the CEO of DEFY Lacrosse. He loves this sport and the people in it. If you want to get educated he is your man!.