decision making

With coaching there are hundreds of decisions made every day.

How do I teach this situation?

What motivates this athlete?

Do we use this technique or that?

It is therefore vitally important that coaches understand what is motivating their decisions. Each of our decisions comes from somewhere. Some may be a logical decision, some may be to motivate, and others may be to discipline. Sometimes there are decisions that are made for the wrong reasons. We need to be cognizant of what is driving our decisions. Decisions made for the wrong reason will set us up for failure in football and in life.

Do not make decisions based on the following:

Resentment & Anger

When we are angry we often have a tendency to not make the most logical or sensible choice. In the same light if a decision is made out of spite or resentment it is not the correct decision either.

Fear

Never make a decision based on fear. This could be fear of losing your job, fear of fan/parent reaction, fear of failure. It is good to realize what may happen based on your decisions, but do not allow the fear of what could happen shape your decision.

Materialism

Do not look at what is in it for you with a decision. Things such as titles or credit should not be factors in the decision making process.

Approval

Some times the best decisions are the most unpopular ones. Great coaches and great people have the ability to make these decisions not fearing what the approval will be. Not giving into the peer pressure to belong or be liked is important in great decision making. It is said that as a coach if you are very well liked then it is probably because those people keep beating you. Coaches should strive for respect not affection.

Guilt

Be strong enough in your beliefs that you should not feel guilty if you make the correct decision. Do not let the guilt that you will feel for a decision shape that decision.