Squad Up
The Art of Coaching the Players You Have
Spring is in the air and the temperatures are rising. Practices are in full swing and games have begun in many areas of the country. It’s truly one of my favorite times of the year; that time when the calendar flips, we get more daylight and players take the field and battle the elements to start honing their skills in preparation for the upcoming season. Spring is a time of hope and renewal and with it comes hopes that we, as coaches, are able to field a competitive team in whatever league we find ourselves participating in.
Over the years, as the sport has grown, we see new players join our ranks, everyone from the first timer taking up their first sport to the multi-sport athlete who plays anything with a ball. Therein lies the beauty of the sport, in that it can accommodate just about anyone who wishes to pick up a stick and it translates so well from other sports athletes engage in. As I always say, “Movement translates.”
In the world of sports, particularly the competitive settings in youth lacrosse, there is often a tendency for coaches to almost fixate on the players they don’t have rather than fully embrace and invest in developing the ones they do have. All too often, I have witnessed coaches regularly wish they had or complain that they don’t have the best players or best athletes. They bemoan that they’ve tried recruiting that stud running back on the football team or the starting point guard on the basketball team or that really fast kid who runs the 400m. And despite their best efforts, those players never show. This mindset can lead to a lot of frustration as a coach, but it leads to missed opportunities for growth, not only for the players, but for you, as the coach. However, the mark of a truly exceptional coach lies not in the pursuit of those hypothetical talents, but rather in the ability to maximize the potential of the individuals who are present.
You’ll hear those coaches say, if we just had this kid or that kid, we’d be more competitive, win more games, beat our bitter rival, etc., etc. I hear it every year from the high school ranks all the way down to the young players who put their shoes on backwards. The coaches want what they don’t have and often ignore what they do have. You’ll hear the excuses for sure and certainly, in most cases we would all agree that if we had our pick of the litter, our teams would be that much better, glory on the field would be that much more attainable and more players would want to play for our team, because who doesn’t want to be a winner? Trust me, there isn’t a college coach in all the land who wouldn’t want Brennan O’Neill. The kid is an absolute unit and physical specimen. But if they all focused on what they didn’t have, they’d certainly lose sight of what they do have.
Instead, coaches can benefit greatly from focusing on the players they have by nurturing their skills, building their confidence, and fostering a strong team dynamic. As I write this I am reminded of a chapter in “David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell where a coach took the players he had and started winning games by playing to their strengths and incorporating strategies that led to more success for the team. Furthermore, we can learn about ourselves and the players in the process. It may help both parties recognize and understand the strengths and weaknesses that are unique to each individual. It may cause some headaches along the way, but once we focus on what we can control and do so in a positive manner, we can maximize the potential of the entire team. To do so requires that we set realistic expectations for ourselves and the team and that requires recognition that not every player will have the same level of skill or experience, yet the acute awareness that each player brings something of value to the team.
Coaching is a calling. We are tasked with learning about our players on an intimate level that their parents and teachers may never get to witness. We can do so by fostering a positive and supportive environment for players to thrive in. For many players, the lacrosse field is an outlet and it’s called the Medicine Game for a reason. As coaches, by taking what we have and utilizing it to the best of our abilities, we can create a team and a culture where camaraderie and teamwork are at the forefront, while teaching players that mistakes are ok if they learn from them. The life lessons that lacrosse offers are invaluable and as coaches it is essential to focus on developing mental and emotional resilience in our players. We cannot do that if our focus is elsewhere and we are stuck playing the ‘what if…’ game.
Ultimately, coaching is about more than just X's and O's; it's about building relationships, instilling confidence and helping players reach their full potential. By focusing on the players, you have and fully investing in their development, you can create a team that is not only successful on the field but also in life.
The issue that remains though and the lesson to be learned here, is that we don’t always get what we want. That’s a life lesson and it’s one that even as adults and coaches, some of us haven’t quite grasped yet. We focus on what we don’t have or focus on what others have and we lose sight of what this is all about. This sport is about development. This sport is about passion. This sport is about being grateful. When we lose sight of that, we lose sight of the reason to be on the field. We lose sight of the reason we stepped up in the first place to coach a team. In the process, we may even develop resentment, envy or anger – all negative emotions – and we end up letting that permeate into our coaching philosophy and it can have unintended consequences not only for the players under our care, but for ourselves as well.
When we find ourselves wishing for what we don’t have, we unintentionally belittle what we do have. If you have 20 kids this year who signed up and have sticks but are missing that one kid you really want and you allow that to eat you up, you’re missing out on the opportunity to develop 20 other players who are looking to you for guidance. Furthermore, coaching the players you have fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility within the team. When players feel that their coach genuinely believes in their abilities and is invested in their development, they are more likely to demonstrate commitment, resilience, and a willingness to push beyond their limits.
Inevitably, there will be moments of frustration and disappointment in any coaching journey. Players may struggle with injuries, form slumps or struggle with personal challenges that impact their performance. However, by maintaining a steadfast focus on the players you have, you can navigate these challenges with grace and optimism. Don’t let the measure of your or your team’s success hinge on having the best players or the win/loss column. Instead, take your victories in the lasting impact you can have in lives of your players. By embracing your squad and committing to them wholeheartedly with clear eyes and full heart, you can create a legacy that extends beyond any confines of the lines of the lacrosse field. You can inspire and empower the next generation of athletes by instilling in them a love of the game and belief in their potential. And in doing so, you will learn that the true essence of coaching does not lie in the goals scored or games won, but in your ability to nurture, guide and uplift every player under your care in some way.
MICHAEL STROUP
Hailing from Tulsa, OK, Michael has a passion for growing the game at the youth and HS levels and provides great insights into our sports growth in non-hotbed areas.