This week a video of Geno Auriemma went “viral” he is the current and long serving head coach of University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team.  He currently has a career coaching record of 987 wins – 134 losses, which is impressive but he has coached the same team since 1985 – how many coaches from all levels in our game can demonstrate such longevity.  Read more about him on Wikipedia if you are interested.

Perhaps his longevity comes from delivering messages like this to his team, players and player parents.  Do you agree with the message?  How much of a factor is body language for you in the lead up to selection, during the match and performance at training?  Do you train how you want to play?

Consider these key points

• Sport is a great lesson for children in fairness, equality and attitude – are you reinforcing these lessons and explaining the lessons learnt from actions taken when the opportunity arises?  They might not ever see it if you don’t point it out.
• What type of damage is it doing to your team when they witness team mates and even coaches flipping out or dropping their heads?  Are you motivating the opposition? Are you encouraging your players to look for this behaviour from the other team and exploiting it?

Go Team Go?!? Bleeeehhh

• Are you encouraging your players to encourage each other – for the good things they do, bad things they do and the attempts they are making when following your game plan?
• Do you value the relationship you are creating with your players – at all age levels – you are having a major impact on their lives – ensure you are creating and encouraging the positive displays shown by your players in training, playing and socially.
• Would you pull the “best” player on the team to show the rest of your team, what’s what?  Have you done it?  What are the repercussions?  Are parent’s of super athletes to be feared?