The Power of Being an Intentional Coach
The role of a coach in any sports team is not just to develop skills but also to create a supportive, growth-enhancing, and competitive environment for our players. This is where intentionality comes into play. Intentionality is a set of aspirations a coach holds that is not just about winning or achieving specific goals, but about what is trying to emerge from within the team - their highest intentions and boldest desires. Intentions that arise from the strongest human sources are the most worthwhile to pursue. Here’s how I work on being intentional:
My intentionality as a coach is supported by regular rituals or practices that help me stay aligned with the team’s co-created goals. For me, this includes brief meditations while driving to practices and games to help me stay aware of my body and emotions, and to help me stay present in the moment when interacting with the team and my coaching staff. My “on the way to the arena” reflections help me observe my thoughts and feelings without becoming attached to them or being carried away. While I still get emotional on rare occasions, my meditations help me be more intentional in my actions and decision-making by reducing impulsive reactions and allowing for greater clarity and focus. I’ve seen significant improvements in my emotional resilience and ability to stay focused on my intentions in the face of challenges or setbacks.
I regularly communicate intentions to my staff and players - laying them out for discussion and refinement. We identify the outcomes we’d like to see and align on creating a certain energy level in the room, holding a certain presence on the bench, and staying connected with our instincts. I strive to ensure that the team's intentions align with mine and that everyone (coaching staff included) works towards achieving common goals.
The coach's job is to develop individual player and team skills, reinforce positive behavior, and encourage them to work diligently towards their goals. I focus my intentions on catching athletes doing things right and providing positive reinforcement. My intentions are to be as supportive as possible and use positive, reinforcing techniques. Unproductive and baseless negativity has no place in my intentions. Here’s an example from a recent video review session with my coaching staff and the team:
We did a video session recently. We went through the video, and we broke down the film. At various times, coaches chimed in with statements like, “Wow! Look at that! That's an amazing play. You broke in clean. One person was driving the net, and the other was coming in high. Look at the space you created. This shows amazing, great growth. Three weeks ago, you guys weren't doing that. Notice the impact you had on the opposing team around the net. The goalie and defenseman didn't know what to do with you guys. That’s crazy good! This shows where we're going and how far you've come. It’s plays like this that will surely power our future progress."
After seasons of experimenting with various intentionality practices, I’ve come to realize the following benefits to my athletes and the team:
Maximizes development
When intentional, I plan each athlete's development based on their needs and strengths. I more closely observe their progress along the way and provide corrective guidance when necessary. My intentional actions increase my athletes' likelihood of improving their skills and reaching their potential.
Builds a positive team culture
When intentional, I can better help shape our team’s culture and emphasize a team foundation of positive attitudes, respect for others, and hard work. I can better create a team environment to help young athletes grow in all areas.
Encourages accountability
Through my practices, I have found that I can better align everyone to our shared goals and thus better hold players accountable for their actions and help them understand the impact of their behavior on the team. Parents tell me how this growing sense of responsibility and ownership carries over into other areas of their lives.
Increases enjoyment and engagement
I’ve learned that bringing intentions focused on creating a fun and engaging atmosphere helps keep players motivated and excited about their sport. I believe this core intention will help athletes stay involved in sports longer and enjoy the experience more.
I strongly believe that intentionality is essential for coaches. I hold that a coach's most important intentions for their players and the team should be grounded in creating a supportive and competitive environment. When the team's intentions align with the coach's, everyone works towards achieving common goals. When I intentionally bring positive reinforcement and encouragement, unintentional negativity shows up far less often. Overall, being intentional when coaching a youth sports team can positively impact both the athletes and the team as a whole. It can help young athletes grow and develop as athletes and people, benefiting them long after leaving the sport.