Rekindling the Flame: Maintaining High Standards Throughout the Season
At the start of the season, we tend to kick off with a tank full of fire and drive.
We’re excited and things are fresh – new incoming players, new drills to try out, new plays install, and the thrill of shaping a new team. It's like the start of a marathon; we're full of energy and ready to sprint.
But as the season stretches on, our inner fuel gauge starts to dip. The same goes for any given week. Monday might start with a bang, but by Thursday, we're running on fumes.
I've noticed a troubling trend in myself, especially deep into an eight-month youth basketball season.
The discipline and standards I upheld at the beginning seem to waver. A forgotten practice t-shirt or a tardy arrival would have drawn consequences early on, but now? I’ve let it slide. And it bothers me. It’s not about the outcomes but the process, the discipline, the commitment - both from my players and, crucially, from myself.
Why Consistency Matters
Maintaining high standards consistently is more than just about discipline.
It’s about integrity, demonstrating to my young athletes that commitment isn't seasonal or conditional. It's what we do, even when the initial thrill wanes and fatigue sets in.
Filling Up the Motivation Tank
When the motivation tank hits empty, it’s time to refuel.
Here are a few strategies that I’m turning to re-ignite that early-season fire in myself:
Set Mini-Goals: As the season is approaching the end, I am breaking down the final few weeks into smaller segments, each with its own set of goals and rewards. The aim is to help keep things fresh for both me and my team.
Lean on Your Team: During these moments when every thing is costing a lot of mental energy, I am sharing responsibilities with my assistant coach and players. I have steadily shared responsibility throughout the season, so it’s not a case of dumping everything on them, rather, it is about lightening the load.
Reflect and Remind: I’m taking more time to myself to reflect on my “why”. I’ve revisited my coaching philosophy and am reminding myself that my value extends past the wins and losses.
Self-Care is Key: Unfortunately, I’ve not done this very well this season, but I am going back to it now in these key moments. I need to take better care of myself mentally (meditation, journaling, reading), physically (adding mobility into my routine) and emotionally (eating right and getting enough sleep). Finding the time to do things that recharge me in these moments is key.
Seek Support: Connecting with fellow coaches has been amazing. Despite doing this all season with the MVMT Membership, it is in these tough times that my fellow coaches have been able to support and provide alternative perspectives to these challenges.
The Bottom Line
If I expect unwavering discipline and commitment from my athletes, I need to model those very traits.
It’s a learning curve, and this season has been a stark reminder for me. Motivation might get me started, but it's discipline, consistently applied, that will carry me through the marathon of a season.
In coaching, as in life, maintaining high standards is a testament to one’s dedication to their craft and their athletes. It’s about doing the right thing, the right way, every day.