Lessons from Coaching

When I was coaching youth soccer, I reached a point of frustration that parents and volunteers know all too well…no one was listening. I was raised in a generation where the response was, “Just make ‘em run!”

I agree with the sentiment. In moments like this I think, "You little turds came out here to waste my time so I am going to make you tired!" Yet, I had a brief moment of innovation that has opened up success with youth sports and my professional life.

If I would have said, “Line up, we’re going to run!” They would have resisted and complained. I would have been more frustrated and nothing would be gained. Instead, I put them in two lines. I stood in the middle and threw a soccer ball as far as I could. I then said the objective was for the two people at the front of the line to run to the ball.

The first athlete to reach the ball is on offense trying to dribble back to the line and score. The second athlete would then be on defense. Once the first pair reached the ball I would chuck another out and we eventually had three or more groups of kids running their butts off. With this simple twist, my frustration level went down. They were running. They were running A LOT. But, they were also having fun.

Not only were they enjoying themselves while completing this would be punishment, they were actually working on many of the soccer related skills that they so desperately needed to learn. They were dribbling, a key skill. They were working the ball under pressure, a key skill. They were working on defense, a key skill.

​A simple tweak and our issue turned into something positive for everyone involved. I’ve found this innovation can be helpful at home, in the workplace, and even in my own personal discipline. For me it’s important to think about the goal I want to achieve and find a creative solution. Often the answer is much simpler than anyone would have expected and the results are far better than I could have hoped for.