lead the league
Think about the best teams on your schedule; the best teams in your district or conference. What are the best teams in your class doing to be the best? Think about which teams are the most athletic, or have the best shooters, best pass rush, or best pitching. You may think that some of the best teams you will face this season have the best coaching or are the strongest or best conditioned. Once you identify what these variables are, think about how close (or far behind) you are from these teams in each of these areas. Which are the ones that are most attainable? Which ones are you the closest in catching that #1 team? Is there an area you are already at the top or close to overtaking? Some of these may feel within reach, some may feel so far away they are just pipe dreams and you may consider them completely out of your control. After all, there are certainly aspects of athletic competition that are more easily influenced than others. A coach can change up a blocking scheme to fit the personnel (especially at a junior or high school level) a lot more easily than he can replace all of his linemen with 6’ 6 350 pound blue chip recruits. Most high school baseball teams won’t ever have a guy on the mound touching the upper 90s who is feared and virtually un-hittable. Most high school basketball teams don’t have multiple players who live above the rim and can help erase a defensive breakdown with an amazing blocked shot or take care of a missed shot with a put-back dunk that still results in 2 points on the board. However, I would imagine most coaches feel these skills are somewhat malleable. Wherever you are on that spectrum you can, at the very least, improve these situations. We can help our players become better defenders, run sharper routes, read coverages, better anticipate stealing a base, or catch a fly ball. Now, let me play Jeanie for just a bit. Imagine if you would, I could grant you one wish that would instantly make you the #1 team in your playoff bracket, what would that thing be? Athleticism, size, strength? Health? Experience? What would be your ace in the hole? My guess is that for most of you out there reading this, the one thing that isn’t on the wish list is leadership. How many people actually desire to have THE best leader in their league? How many prioritize this skill? How many even think of leadership as a skill at all? Even more importantly, how many are actively working on improving this skill? If you are wondering how leadership can be defined as a skill or are wondering how you can begin moving in that direction to improve in this area, there are certainly ways in which we can help. I encourage you to check out the link to a previously written blog on redefining leadership (insert link) and begin to change the way you attack this subject all together. Maybe you require a fundamental shift in this thinking or just need a push in the right direction. We all start from different places after all. I don’t know a single coach out there who doesn’t want to have the best shooter in any given gym, or the toughest running back to tackle, or toughest defensive end to block. Every soccer coach I know would instantly take the most stonewalled goalie in their bracket. How confident are you as a softball coach knowing you have the most un-hittable pitcher going into the playoffs? It’s a no-brainer, but how many coaches feel like they have the best leadership or culture? Who has the best team chemistry? Which team is the tightest? Which is the MOST like a family? Which team trusts each other the most? Who exhibits the best body language when things go south and have the ability to rebound from that adversity before it gets out of control? Why wouldn't a team wish to have (or WORK to have) the team that is defined by all those traits? Why not lead the league in... LEADERSHIP? More importantly, what if I told you attaining this #1 slot is closer and more reachable than you think? When you view leadership as a skill, one that we all possess, one that comes with no prerequisites, then leading the league in leadership becomes that much more of a reality. This is something you can start working on today. You just need to begin getting your #Reps. Now be greedy for a moment and imagine having the highest batting average and best leadership; leading the league in passing touchdowns and enthusiasm; having the most discipline, best habits, and highest effective field goal percentage; the best coaching, communication, and character. I have to think one of those combinations is within the grasp of some of you out there. Or maybe you’re already beginning to formulate your own recipes to going after #1. Be greedy and add these elements to the mix and see your team realize their true untapped (unknown) potential. Lead the league. Reach your ceiling.to begin your climb to the top of the league, click here.
In Servce, Kyle Kavanaugh