As the holidays come and go, we turn the page on another year. For many, the New Year marks an opportunity to get better, grow as individuals, and learn something about ourselves and our staff. And, as customary, an opportunity to create something anew.
If we consider this in football terms, it’s time to do some real ‘self-scouting’.
This can be a useful exercise that doesn’t have to be done in futility. But first, that means admitting and accepting that there is something you need to improve on and turning a critical eye inward, focusing on what it is you can control.
For those who are around the game, self-scouting generally entails poring over details like run/pass tendencies, formation usage, roster and injury information, etc. And for many programs, that typical exercise can be very useful in discovering telling details about your program and staff. But self-examination shouldn’t stop there.
How are we evaluating off-the field factors?
Are we as detailed and focused with on-field factors?
Are there other things in our control that might affect our program?
Start by making a simple list. It does not have to be exhaustive, but simply identifies what may be affecting our team and coaching that is affecting outcomes on gameday. Maybe it’s not even gamedays, but overall program makeup.
If you don’t know where to start, consider some of the following
· Coaching staff
· Equipment needs and training tools
· Athletic training and treatment programs
· Program building
· Off-season workout regimens
· Facilities
· Motivation/leadership technique/team culture
· Budget spending
· Community service and team-building
Good ideas can come from anywhere, and when everyone is involved in the team’s success, it builds an emotional connection to it and establishes a culture that breeds buy-in from the players and coaches.
Once you identify your list of needs or areas of improvement, next is creating a plan to get it solved. It does no good to be aware of your shortcomings, but no action plan to get them figured out. Enlist the greater team to come up with solutions and get to work.
The New Year is an opportunity to turn the page on yesterday and look forward to a better you.
Let’s get after it.
January 9, 2020