Observations from a Sports Performance Coach

As we put the finishing touches on Summer 2021, I have reflected on many things I noticed throughout the course of the summer. Athletes showed up consistently and gave great effort in anything and everything they were asked to complete. From an athletic performance standpoint, they became faster, stronger, more explosive, and are heading into the Fall in outstanding shape. These are all things that can be measured and quantified; however, my most noticeable observations of growth come in areas that are not as easily measured but in my opinion have an even greater impact on the athlete moving forward.

1. Perfecting the Details — From the very start of the course, athletes are stressed that each and every detail matters. Nothing is too small or insignificant to overlook. This requires a tremendous amount of effort from start to finish. Watching athletes take ownership of the details for both themselves and the group is big time growth that will pay off down the road.
2. Kids Coaching Kids — With 42 racks all performing the same lift, it becomes a game changing moment as you hear 84 athletes intentionally coaching their peers with the same cues coaches have been giving each and every day. This is a time that can easily be used ‘selfishly’ as you prepare yourself for your next set, but these athletes are ‘selfless’ and focus on their teammates putting in the work.
3. CONFIDENCE — Whether it is a 6th grader finally syncing up the hip hinge or a Sophomore female finally catching her Clean deep with elbows punched through… the weight room builds confidence. Does not matter male/female or age, there comes a time when these young athletes get their moment of realizing they are growing stronger! As a coach, I do not believe there is a more rewarding moment than seeing this take place in real time. I have countless images of that ‘AHA’ moment imprinted in my head and it remains the reason I get up and coach each day. Preparation fuels belief and belief fuels confidence — hard work pays off!
4. Player Led / Not Coach Fed — One of the most impressive transformations over the course of the summer is the moment these groups transition into a player led program. In the beginning, coaches are making sure the athletes understand the expectations and standards of the program. During this time, accountability typically comes from the coaches. The moment that accountability shifts to the players is when these programs truly take off. Leadership was at an all time high this summer. I confidently, could have simply said ‘GO!’ and the leadership of this group would’ve completed the session without pause.

Bad teams, no one leads. Average teams, coaches lead. But elite teams, players lead. — P.J. Fleck

5. Sweeping the Sheds — How you do anything is how you do everything! Much like perfecting the details, sweeping the sheds comes down to not overlooking anything. After a long session of training, seeing young athletes stick around afterwards to pick up water bottles and towels or organize the dumbbells and kettlebells. It shows they care and lets everyone else know the standard! As a group, we make sure everything is put away in its proper place before moving on from the session. However, it is the guys or gals that stick back and make sure the details are correct that impresses me the most. Something so simple, yet a characteristic that can take them far in life after athletics.

6. Appreciation for Being Coached — There are always athletes that view being coached as being ‘picked on’ or singled out. They tend to shy away from coaching points or criticism. This summer I witnessed more athletes actively seeking out coaching than ever before. How can I improve X, Y, or Z? A desire to be better from Middle and High School aged athletes! It occurred in every portion of the program — weight room, sprint drills, max velocity, mobility, and even recovery and nutritional pointers. And at the end of every workout, there would be a massive huddle or line to shake every coaches hand and tell them THANK YOU! Whether that is just good manners being taught at home or a true appreciation for being coached hard, it put a smile on this coach’s face to end every day!

From a performance standpoint, we hit every mark and that is a direct result from the buy in and consistent effort put forth by each and every athlete. But the growth doesn’t stop there! These six observations are simple and a sign that the character of each individual had the biggest growth this summer. When you mix that with the 6–7 weeks of hard work inside of a TEAM First environment, you can bet on a winning culture on and off the field or court.