language – Coaching Made Easier

D. E. K.?

December 22, 2021Kris Herman

Does everyone know?

Do all of the central people involved in your program know what they need to know in order to move the team, program and individual in the right direction, with minimal friction?

The Coach whose answer is, “I think so,” probably should find out.

The knowledge they need to have starts with the standards and expectations and a clarity around: here, we do it this way. This clarity allows people to show up and work together with efficiency. The norming of everything – the clarity of a program model that everyone knows – allows for both productivity and creativity.

The head coach first needs to be clear for themselves- tougher task than it would seem – and work to create easy to understand principles for all aspects of the program.

When everyone knows the games come easier and the connections grow deeper, things make sense and the outcomes are better and deeper than the inputs.

Ready? Go. I’ll meet you there!

Kids With Options

August 8, 2020Kris HermanLeave a Comment

Lots of people in the college coaching world are talking about generational differences and how to “relate to Gen Z” players (and staff). We are telling coaches and leaders that they need to open up and be more vulnerable to those they lead. What does that mean?

I think we’re getting “opening up” wrong.

Teams need trust for sure, but this does not need to be personal–on either side. Coach, you can show “who you are” simply by sharing honestly what you believe in.

When you talk about what you believe in and why, when you clearly share the things that are foundational to you, you’re automatically being “authentic”. When you know, you know and when you share “who you are”, that’s who you are. That’s personal without being personal. It’s unlikely that everything you do is going to work well, every time, but everything you are, the be behind the do, is real and that matters for trust.

Some coaches seem to think that sharing values and asking questions, aside from the rhetorical, is a sign of weakness that could damage their coaching authority. This is a challenge, yet by not sharing we risk lack of understanding as well as lack of commitment.

Commitment to what? This is an important question.

There is no middle ground. Either you state your beliefs and talk–even to yourself–about why they are important or you keep operating in a veiled manner that keeps people guessing. Kids with options want to know you.

Rule #37

July 30, 2020Kris Herman

Why do we always blame time when we get behind, are unproductive, or even uninspired?

“There just wasn’t enough time.”

“Time wasn’t on my side today.”

Really, can you blame time? Seems like you should have a talk with yourself instead.

Rule #20

May 19, 2020Kris Herman

Some do, but most plays don’t require a second throw to get an out.

Good communication, a good understanding of the situation and a strong arm often will get you where you need to go.

However, planning and practicing for all possibilities is the work of a great player and team.

And more importantly, that strong play won’t be perfect every time and you’ll be glad that relay player was at the ready.

Expect the best, plan for the worst. Or something like that.

Rule #16

May 11, 2020Kris Herman

Make believe can be fun and productive. Imagine yourself in a future situation and work out a way to make it great. Plan future relationships, make future plays.

Just because 100% of the pieces aren’t the way they would be in a game, the game itself is still being played.

Make your preparation as real as you can and see how the impact holds.

Rule #15

May 10, 2020Kris Herman

Also a local Rule, but this can apply to any colors. You may think they won’t look good together, or that it will be “too much”, but if it’s a good thing there’s no such thing.

Go hard, be daring. Paint yourself with pride in your colors.

Rule #13

May 6, 2020May 6, 2020Kris Herman

This is a local rule. However the concept applies to anywhere.

Simply because something won’t hurt or someone isn’t doing something “wrong”, doesn’t mean we should continue doing it that way.

You likely won’t even know a snake is in the storage shed, but…

Rule #11

May 4, 2020May 4, 2020Kris Herman

“I got it, you take it,” the pitcher and third baseman say to each other. How often does that happen?

See Rule #8 and see if streamlining your bunt defense might be of benefit.

Rule #10

May 2, 2020Kris Herman

This simple rule seems to speak for itself.

If you know who you mean or intend to say, or the action or emotion you’re having, and it’s non-controversial, saying it is easy.

Often times our intentions are not clear, and our talk might me misleading or confusing. Clarify with yourself first.

This rule requires us to know what we mean, often the more challenging part of the equation.