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Get Scouted Scouting CareersThe best coaches are unquestionably unique individuals. Likewise, they are distinctive in the way they approach their sport and their athletes.
Many never played sports competitively beyond high school. Most teach, or taught, classes other than physical education. Yet to a person, they have a fire burning internally which fuels their drive to coach and teach. It’s personal for them. It’s a passion they cannot live without.
Notice, however, that winning has yet to come up. That said, it is ridiculous to think that all the best coaches never think about winning. But it might surprise you to learn that many of the best coaches never mention winning to their teams. In fact, the man widely considered the best of them all, John Wooden, made a point to never speak of winning or losing to his players. Let’s start there.
The best coaches don’t always win
“Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.” John Wooden
First of all, the best coaches are not always the ones that perennially win championships, titles, and trophies. However, because of their unwavering approach to players and the game, they do tend to win more than their counterparts, even when they have less talent.
Funny how that works. From their perspective, winning is not everything. Certainly, they want to win but winning is a destination, not the journey, to the best coaches. They are far more intent on what occurs along the way. To them, that is what really matters. The winning thing takes care of itself.
The best coaches emphasize responsibility
“It’s about doing your job regardless of whether you like it or not and doing it to the very best of your ability with great passion.” Monte Sherrill
In studying competitive athletics for forty-plus years, it is apparent to me that a majority of the best coaches repeatedly talk to their athletes about individual responsibility and consistently doing their jobs within the team concept. The best coaches carefully use language which intentionally ties players to their specific roles and how they fit in the greater scheme.
With personal responsibility as their mantra, players better understand their roles and how they impact team outcomes. From the best coaches, athletes learn the productive habit of what author Stephen Covey calls First Things First. They get what how they contribute, how they count. To athletes, the importance of know that is immeasurable.
The best coaches prioritize fundamentals
“Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the fundamentals.” Jim Rohn
One of America’s top high school softball coaches is Monte Sherrill. He led Alexander Central and Central Cabarrus (NC) teams to a total of 10 North Carolina High School Athletic Association titles at the highest level of competition. He has moved on to the collegiate level, but his impact is lasting on North Carolina prep softball.
Most notably, Sherrill is famous for his practices. They are fast-paced and hammer away at nearly every fundamental imaginable. Day after day. Fundamental after fundamental. His players buy in and win. They also work harder than anybody else they play against.
The UCLA Bruins was the best men’s basketball team of the 60’s and 70’s. Former players attest to the fact that every practice, every day was the same. Head Coach John Wooden was all about the game’s fundamentals. When his teams were in tough situations, he talked about everyone on the floor doing what they were taught and to not lose focus of those things. Those things were fundamentals. Most importantly, Coach Wooden extolled his teams to execute those fundamentals over and over.
The best coaches complete list of common traits
We believe there are 10 key characteristics the best coaches share. Here they are:
- Keen evaluators of talent. Place athletes in their most impactful positions.
- Set high team standards and expectations.
- Continually teach and emphasize fundamentals.
- Consistently discipline and reward the team.
- Inspire competitiveness.
- Develop individuals’ skills.
- Encourage athletes to take advantage of their athleticism and strengths.
- Teach athletes how to win and lose graciously.
- Accurately assess opponents’ weaknesses.
- Get athletes to believe in their system.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.