Dave Aranda's Meteoric Rise Hits a New Peak With Baylor's Big 12 Title

As many coaches know, having a release from coaching is very important. Giving yourself time to relax can help your focus. I will be sharing some of my recent shows/movies and look forward to hearing suggestions! 

Mad Max: Fury Road

How To Create Lasting Change 

"The best Coaches & leaders know lasting change will only occur if the player takes ownership and recognizes they must change..." 

Too many times in my coaching career, I struggled with this topic. I was the "hard-nosed," "tough assed" coach who demanded excellence…even PERFECTION, and I was never satisfied with the results.   

Rod challenged me: 

"Phil, If you haven't learned that if you keep motivating through fear, shame, or intimidation, you will have a VERY SHORT shelf-life in today's world. The change you want to see in your players simply won't last because they will only be trying to survive. Don't become the "Oh, No" coach." 

What's an "Oh No" coach??? The coach players run from…the coach players cant stand! 

"Oh No," here he comes! 

"Oh No," what is he going to say this time? 

"Oh No," what did I do wrong? 

"Oh No," I have to be in his drill today! 

I had to own this and get better at creating lasting change. 

Here are a few steps Rod gave me and held me accountable to:

 1. Raise the Player's Self-Awareness  

Many people don't even know they need to change or improve. Remember, self-awareness is the beginning of change. Ask them to rank themselves on a scale of 1-5 in regard to the skill or mindset you want them to work on. See where they are and start the recalibration process from there. 

2. Show the Player a Relevant Reason "WHY" they need to change 

People won't change a thing if they don't think they need to. Therefore master coaches are experts at helping the player see why a specific skill or thinking won't benefit them in the long run. 

3. Implement a Transformation Plan 

As a teacher, I've been taught that you better have a plan before the students start showing up. Coach with the end in mind. Then, give the player knowledge, strategies, and provide extreme clarity to take the following steps.

4. Journey Together "Iron Sharpens Iron." 

Perhaps just as important as starting this process is never finishing it. The coach/player relationship now moves to the colleague stage, where we journey through life together. Here, conversations continue to occur, but they are based on what the player experiences as they teach others.   

As the Off-Season approaches for many, here are four great thoughts to share with your players! 

#1. HOW DO PLAYERS RESPOND? 

One of the most truthful ways a player can show you how bad they want something is by RESPONSES!

Responses to...

• Criticism 

• Comfort 

• Challenges 

• Confrontation 

• Honest Feedback 

• Success 

• Failure 

• Setbacks 

• Attention 

• Hype 

#2. BE AUTHENTIC.

We have found a direct correlation between players who... 

• Don't show up on time. 

• Don't return texts/calls. 

• Don't engage w/ coaches in workouts.

With NOT playing significant minutes or NOT having their contract renewed!

"The same guys - do the same stuff - and end up in the same place."

#3. YOU HAVE TO ACT PROFESSIONALLY TO BE A PROFESSIONAL.

Recently I have come across a few players asking for help because they hope to play "professionally." 

Their game is ok. 

Their habits are not. 

The hard reality is that if your "professionalism" won't get you hired at Costco...it won't get you hired by a team. 

4. FOR THE YOUNG COACHES TRYING TO SUCCEED. 

We have had around 15 to 20 interns for the past four years, and younger coaches help during our spring/summer workouts… 

The ones who always SHINE.

• Show up to serve. 

• Show up to listen. 

• Don't talk a lot. 

• Dress professionally.  

• Accept feedback. 

• Grateful to be there. 

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