Wednesday, June 3, 2009

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A LIFETIME OF COACHING

From Coach Wilbur Braithwaite:

1. Questionable, unsportsmanlike tactics employed to influence the odds of winning are never worth the price paid in loss of self-respect.

2. Degrading remarks or actions aimed at spurring players on to greater effort may bring temporary success but results in long-range failure.

3. Anger is a poor substitute for reason.

4. Your players tend to become what they believe you think they are.

5. Teenagers, by nature, are idealistic.

6. Attitudes such as jealousy and discontent among players are often nurtured by well-meaning adults whose eyes are set only upon the glamorous aspects of winning.

7. Patience and love are the most powerful tools in coaching.

8. Today's heartbreaks turn into tomorrow's strengths.

9. Gracefully accept unfortunate events beyond your control.

10. Work hard to influence the outcome of important things within your control.

11. Never "second-guess" yourself on decisions made with integrity, intelligence, and with a glance from the heart.

12. The most essential thing in coaching, and a coach' great challenge, is to teach players to never give up.