Picking a Great Coach

(Three questions to ask before you join a team)

“It’s what you learn, after you know it all, that counts.”

John Wooden

Picking a coach for your young athlete is much different than picking a surgeon to do an operation. With a surgeon, you really only need to know only one thing — how competent are they at doing surgery. You probably won’t care a whole lot about what type of person they are, what their character is like, what kind of environment they have in the operating room, etc. And yet, all of these things are of crucial importance when it comes to selecting or helping your child to select a coach. 

I had the honor of having lunch with one of the greatest coaches who has ever lived — John Wooden. I know that not every coach our kids will experience will leave the lasting, positive impression that John did on his athletes. Through my research and interviews I have identified three great questions to ask a prospective coach which you are considering for your young athlete. 

Here are the three questions you need to either ask or ask of a prospective coach:

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01  

Q:  What do you celebrate on the sidelines? (The philosophy test)

This question reveals what a coach really believes. If “winning at all cost,” is the predominant philosophy, then this coach will celebrate success as a fixed mindset and would define it as:  wins, goals, perfect scores, etc.  If “player development,” is the coaches aim, then they will celebrate the players effort, encourage them to take risks, and learn how to be comfortable making and learning from mistakes.

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02 

 Q:  Is it possible you are wrong? (The humility test)

Humility is the key to learning. If you have a coach who operates with the, “I may not always be right, but I am never in doubt,” belief, you might want to continue to look for someone whose humility will foster a growth environment which will allow for learning conversations. Practices, training and match competition should be opportunities to learn lessons which are conducive for life and character growth. 

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03  

Q:  Who is your greatest success story? (The end-game test)

This question reveals the heart and mission of a coach. A fixed mindset coaching mentality will be proud of acquiring great players which have already been identified as being “talented athletes.”  The coaches with a growth mindset will take great joy and pride in helping players who started at a lower level, whose life and abilities were elevated with their encouragement and support. Parents, coaches and players alike always move towards their internal definition of what will make them feel successful. Identifying, redefining, and refining the definition of success is vital to coaches and parents alike as they shape young athletes. 

There are times when as a parent you will have no choice or no voice in selecting a team for your child. Level of play, where you live, or playing for a school team may reduce the influence you can bring to the team/coaching selection. But if you do have the freedom to make the choice, be wise, train your child to ask good questions, keep your eyes wide open keep the big picture in mind as you guide your young athlete towards success, both inside and outside of the Arena. 

“All coaching is, is taking a player where he [they] can’t take himself.”

Bill McCartney