11 Comments

  1. kgoehring

    I really enjoyed reading your paper. You have some great ideas on what it takes to build a winning season. How would you, as a coach, build character on your own team? I also think it is a good idea to have incentives for athletes that actually workout over the winter/summer breaks. It is important for athletes to stay in shape, so that when they come back from the breaks, they will less likely get injured.

  2. mlopez100

    Building a program from losing to winning takes dedicated athletes and coaches. The strategies you shared to reach a goal of a successful program are attainable, still all aspects have to be in place. The action plan presented shows the progress of both the athlete and the coach. What I think that makes the difference, is having a program that goes back to basics and sticks true to the mission and vision of the school and the team. It is important to go back and reevaluate the plan and make adjustments where needed. I enjoyed reading a different perspective of a plc other than from a school/classroom standpoint.

  3. jgottsch

    Crystal this is awesome! As a new coach implementing these strategies is key to what I do. I love that you talk about going back to the basics and fundamentals. Without these, we cannot build into the more complex skills. Incentives are great to help athletes find a motivation to train during breaks, or to come get extra work/recovery. In the past I have seen a points system used and new gear/clothing was the reward for the winning position group. Overall, great job!

  4. cboggess2

    Crystal,

    This paper had great insight on what you experienced at West Texas A&M. Shifting from a losing season to a winning season is no easy task, and you explained that well in your paper. I have experienced a losing season before and yes, it comes from the foundation. Recruiting players and providing players with more skill development is what can take your program to the next level. I also agree with a ton of film. As coaches we watch countless hours of film to help prepare our players. I believe players should also watch a numerous amount of film to help improve their on court work and prepare them for their opponent. Lastly you mentioned, shaping the character of athletes. Coaching is way more than the X’s and the O’s. It’s about the relationships that are built. If players believe in you then they will do what you ask of them. It creates a bond that is hard to break.

  5. jbrooks1

    Crystal,

    I also talked about the importance of recruiting and how huge it can be to do a good job of this. Coaches should always be paying attention to new talent that can help the team. I really liked how you mention winning should not always be the number one goal, but making sure the athletes are becoming better as an overall person.

  6. jphillips17

    Crystal,
    We talked about the benefits in another class of watching video and how it can improve performance. This may be common practice in sports but should also be a strategy for teachers. The ability to examine ones own actions is very beneficial to making corrections or even improving on skills or techniques being used. I also like the shaping character strategy. Teaching these athletes to be good human beings far outweighs wins and losses I think.

  7. spearson1

    Crystal,
    I like how you addressed the fact that there is no set way to change to winning season. Everything is based upon the athletes that are involved in the program. I think the hardest thing to do is “shape character” because often there is one person who pushes back against everything that is said. Having a solid strength and conditioning program is crucial to helping a team move to the next level and ultimate a winning team. I loved the fact that you talked about coaching not being all about winning because shaping young athletes into model adults is a big part of it. I have met many great coaches that genuinely care more about how you act with the team and present yourself to the world than they do about winning games.

  8. ephillips8

    Crystal, i found your paper very insightful and interesting. Throughout my experience as a college athlete I have witnessed much similar things, those teams that did not have winning records were constantly getting new coaches almost every year, while successful teams have kept their coaches for many many years. Winning games gets your school’s name out there and gets recognition, which in turn causes more people to want to be a part of the success. After reading your first literature review section I was impressed with it, I would have never thought of using personal experience to study, but i really enjoyed it. Using your own experiences and former coaches strategies in your paper really help give a clear voice and a lot of insight! As far as film watching goes, I never really had much experience with it, but the closest thing I can relate it to is looking at stats and charts before and after games and analyzing ways to prepare for a certain team, or things we need to work on for the next opponent, studying data whether it is film or charts is a great way to try to increase a winning record.

  9. cbriseno4

    Crystal, I found so much interest in your paper! Very well thought out paper with simple, clear and concise strategies! All of the strategies I agree with 100% and are ones I plan to implement in my program. These strategies don’t necessarily need to be used to transform a losing season to a winning one, but to build success in a program as well. As a former athlete I was frustrated when a coach made a do a drill 100 and 1 times until we got it right, even if that meant spending the whole practice on it. I always thought, why can’t we just move on. But now looking at it from the coaching stand point, going back to fundamentals and being able to master them are far more important than moving on. If a team cannot master fundamental drills like layups, then this should be the primary focus and now I understand that. Then you talked about shaping character and I found that to be essential in not only turning a program around but just building a successful program. Your players represent you and your program and you want to make sure that you have done your job to instill the right morals and work ethic so they can not only represent you and the program but themselves and individual human beings aside from athletes. Well thought out paper, good job!

  10. ksalinas9

    Crystal,

    I really enjoyed reading you paper. I like how you used your experience as a collegiate athlete as well as strategies many other college coaches are using on their teams. Teams are going to have a loosing season here and there but, that does not define the head coach. What defines the head coach is how he or she comes back the following year after a loosing season. These strategies are important to know and use not matter what type of season the team had. Like we always say we are in the growth business, where we are always looking to improve and grow. I believe these strategies will help any team grow for the better.

  11. ataramona

    Crystal,
    I agree with the strategy to watch film; I think that it is a perfect way to allow athletes to see what they are doing from the coaches’ perspective. At StMU, we use a game breakdown program that allows us to send film to our players with notes. By doing this, it allows us to address the problem verbally in person, on the field as they’re moving, in writing for the players to read, and visually with the film. I also agree with shaping athlete character. One of my coaching philosophies for athletes is to focus on the process, not the result. This means that the players need to focus on working hard in practice and in the game; if each player is putting forth their max effort, then they will reap the benefits as well. My one question for your paper would be when would the players have an opportunity to rest? I truly like your PLC action plan, but do find it necessary to implement rest in their as well!
    Great paper, Crystal

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