ARTICLE SEARCH
PRODUCT SEARCH
Defining a Season
By Lem Elway
November, 17 2007
Our football season here at Black Hills High School has now come to an end and I certainly can't brag about our win-loss record. In fact, I'm not going to even tell you how many games we won (and lost).
But, as I reflect on the season, I am proud of how we were still able to teach the important lessons of sport, regardless of the final tally on the scoreboard. In coaching, situations are constantly changing and dealing with them can be a huge challenge. Sometimes, it seems like the true test of coaching ability is dealing with the down times, not how many trophies you bring home.
No one sets out to have a losing season, but uncontrollable events can create the situation. Often, it seems like everything goes wrong at the same time. Injuries to players and "off the field" problems all arise at the same time and feed off each other.
So how did we as a coaching staff handle the losing season? I've learned over my 37 years of coaching that the key is to not alter the gameplan. We continued to constantly accentuate the positives. We continued to teach the skills with as much energy as always. We continued to prepare for every game with the intent to push players to their limits.
The other thing we did is make the negatives teachable moments. Athletics is the training ground for life, and these trials and tribulations can test our beliefs, character, and personal skills. We worked hard to teach athletes the important lesson of how to deal with adversity.
At the same time, we were sure to keep the focus on the values and standards our program represents:
- Today, a lot of parents and athletes are looking for individual honors. We continued to preach that there is no "I" in team and to teach the idea of collective responsibility.
- We pointed out and praised those athletes who give it their all even when the game seemed lost.
-- We didn't allow any athlete to be a "cancer" on the team. All athletes were held accountable for their attitude so as not to destroy the team morale.
- We made the ground rules for the operation of the program very clear and did not deviate from them.
- We continued to be advocates for our players.
- We taught the team about problem solving and bouncing back.
- We continued to be positive with all criticism.
- We remembered that we were all still there to have fun, and the joking around and camaraderie had to continue every day.
Coaches, do not EVER underestimate your importance as a leader and mentor of young people. In a lot of cases you are their heroes, so carry the responsibility well.
Lem Elway is Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Football Coach at Black Hills High School in Tumwater, Wash. He served as Head Baseball Coach at Anacortes (Wash.) High School from 1988-2003, and was inducted into the Washington State Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992. Lem has also coached girls' high school basketball and club baseball. His first book, The Coach's Administrative Handbook, was recently published by Coaches Choice. He can be reached at: elwaysports@hotmail.com
