Post by paladin on Dec 5, 2006 8:58:58 GMT -6
I'm looking for any ideas to "feed the spirit" so to speak of young athletes. While I know that some kids/teams have "off" days, I believe it's the coaches' responsibility to get them prepared and up for game day. I also believe that feeding the spirit of your kids can't start on game day; it has to be systemic and part of your overall philosophy.
We've used t-shirts, stickers, quotes in the locker room, had discussions about commitment, mutual respect, etc. We make it a point to check in with kids to see how they're doing at home, in school...and yet sometimes it seems they simply just don't show up for game day.
When I played, it seemed that all coaches had to do was get in your face and you'd respond; ego was set aside and we weren't so "fragile." Today's athletes seem to need much more in the motivation department (perhaps rightfully so).
Basically, how do you get them to "run through a wall for you"?
We've used t-shirts, stickers, quotes in the locker room, had discussions about commitment, mutual respect, etc. We make it a point to check in with kids to see how they're doing at home, in school...and yet sometimes it seems they simply just don't show up for game day.
When I played, it seemed that all coaches had to do was get in your face and you'd respond; ego was set aside and we weren't so "fragile." Today's athletes seem to need much more in the motivation department (perhaps rightfully so).
Basically, how do you get them to "run through a wall for you"?
