Legendary gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi died on Friday. He leaves behind a complicated legacy of harsh, anachronistic coaching of very young girls and having revolutionized gymnastics, first in his native Romania and later to the […]
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Developing Athletes: Enhancing Performance and Personal Growth
In the realm of sports, the development of athletes transcends beyond just refining their physicalcapabilities. It encompasses a holistic approach aimed at enhancing performance, personal growth, andpreparing them for the challenges both on and off […]
Read MoreNurturing Excellence: Strategies for Developing the Sports Organization
In the competitive world of sports, the development of the organization itself is as crucial as trainingathletes or enhancing coaching methods. A well-structured and efficiently managed organization cansignificantly influence its teams’ success, from local clubs […]
Read MoreACL Tears: Understanding How to Face Injury As Individuals And Community
Participation in any form of exercise comes with a risk of injury. Factors that contribute to the risk of injury include what type of exercise one might participate in. Examples include, playing sports, going to […]
Read MoreBuilding Relationships with Peers, Athletes, and Stakeholders: The Cornerstone of Effective Coaching
Strong relationships are the cornerstone of any successful organization. In the realm of sports coaching,the significance of building solid relationships with peers, athletes, and stakeholders cannot beunderstated (Jowett, 2017). In the world of sports, collaboration […]
Read MoreIs this the Athletes’ Team? The Essence of Player-Centered Coaching
In the realm of sports coaching, there’s a pivotal question that often gets overlooked: “Is this theathletes’ team, too?” This seemingly straightforward inquiry holds profound implications for how coachingshould be approached and implemented. The ethos […]
Read MoreThe Integral Role of Coaching: How Do I Help Others?
The role of a coach extends beyond the conventional dimensions of instructing players about the game’stechnicalities or designing play strategies. At its core, coaching is about fostering an environment thatbolsters growth, inspires the pursuit of […]
Read MoreConcentration And Attention in Sports
Coaches and athletes often interchange the words concentration and attention and the often-heard term fouls. To most effectively utilize these tools, it may be helpful to define each term; Vernacchia (2003) defined concentration simply as […]
Read MoreWhere Art and Competition Meet
Sports is a creative activity where individuals work together towards certain objectives. On one hand, the goal of sports is to improve the health of people and the formation of individuals’ personalities. On the other […]
Read MoreCherishing The 4 Years Of Student-Athletes
As a current (time of writing this article) high school athlete, the high school sports experiences is has lots to offer to any athlete. Teens at the end of their 4 years will take away […]
Read MoreIdentifying How to Work with Others on My Perceived Weaknesses: A Collaborative Approach to Coaching and Leadership
As coaches and leaders, we often tend to focus on our strengths, believing that our success is contingentupon leveraging what we do best. While our strengths are undeniably critical, it is equally important toacknowledge our […]
Read MoreThe Importance of Positive Psychology in Sports
Sports is widely agreed upon as being an essential component of a student’s exercise program. However, many students display fear and avoid any physical activity in particular sports. From this point, coaches may draw upon […]
Read MoreHow Do We Communicate with Each Other and Together in a Team?
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful team interactions and a prerequisite for highperformance. Building a productive communication network within a team requires understanding,trust, and the conscious application of communication best practices. Two-Way Street Communication […]
Read MoreFrom Me to We: Promoting Team Cohesion Among Youth Athletes
Have you coached a high school sports program for many years? Have you volunteered to coach a youth sports team in a recreational league? Either way, team cohesion dramatically impacts the success of your program […]
Read MoreMending Crushed Spirits – How to Approach a Bad Performance
Many athletes have experienced what it’s like to leave the court or field and prepare themselves mentally only to have coaches criticize them for a subpar performance. Players just need some time to think things […]
Read MoreEncouraging Athletes to Take Ownership: A Coach’s Influence
Coaches play a critical role in fostering a sense of ownership in athletes. This journey extends beyondsimply being responsible for individual performance. Instead, it encapsulates contributing to collectivesuccess and fostering a healthy team culture (Lemyre, […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Communication Style in a Team Context: A Key to Effective Leadership
Effective communication lies at the heart of every successful team. Clear and effective communication iscentral to team cohesion and overall performance. As a coach, understanding how your communicationstyle impacts the team, athletes, staff, and fellow […]
Read MoreHow to Cut a Player: A Guide for Coaches
A coach I know called me last week saying she didn’t know who else to talk to about a problem. What she brought up is one too few athletic administrators give coaches much advice about […]
Read MoreIdentifying Your Preferred Leadership Style and its Impact on the Team
Understanding one’s leadership style is a crucial aspect of effective management and teamdevelopment. Leadership styles directly influence team performance, athlete satisfaction, and theoverall success of an organization. This article examines the process of identifying one’s […]
Read MoreEmotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness: The Building Blocks of Team Success
The success of any team, whether it’s in a sports, business, or any other context, hinges on effectiveleadership. A crucial part of this leadership equation is the leader’s emotional intelligence (EI) and self-awareness, two aspects […]
Read MoreKim Mulkey: What She Might Have Said Better – A Case Study
By Robert Boland & Jeff Chatterton As a sports lawyer (Bob) and a crisis communications advisor (Jeff) who have worked together before, and will again, LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey and her pre-emptive attack […]
Read MoreAligning Personal and Coaching Goals: The Journey to Team Success
Many coaches grapple with differentiating their personal aspirations from their coaching goals, and howthese two facets can be harmoniously intertwined. While personal goals tend to revolve around thecoach’s individual development, coaching goals are generally linked […]
Read MoreHow Do My Goals Align with the Organization’s Goals?
In the rapidly evolving work and coaching environments, finding alignment between individual and organizational goals is of paramount importance. Aligning coaches’ personal aspirations with strategic organizational goals significantly and positively impacts the team and organization’s […]
Read MoreFitting Individual Values within the Organizational Canvas: A Harmonious Alignment
In an era where organizations continually strive for creating a value-centric culture, the alignment between individual and organizational values has come to the fore (Shuck & Rose, 2013). This alignment is not just a cornerstone […]
Read MoreIdentifying How My Strengths Support the Team
As a sports coach or leader, understanding your strengths and leveraging them to support the team is crucial. Coaches need to understand why it’s essential to identify your strengths and how they can significantly impact […]
Read MoreAligning Personal and Coaching Goals: The Journey to Team Success
Many coaches grapple with differentiating their personal aspirations from their coaching goals, and how these two facets can be harmoniously intertwined. While personal goals tend to revolve around the coach’s individual development, coaching goals are […]
Read MoreFacilitating Goal Achievement: The Role of the Coach in Sports Organizations
As coaches, we strive to lead our teams to success, but what role do we play in helping our sports organization reach its broader goals? This article discusses the multifaceted role of the coach in […]
Read MoreWhat Is the Best Version of Myself? A Self-Exploration in Sports Coaching
Lao Tzu, an ancient philosopher once said: “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power”. In coaching, the journey towards self-improvement and personal mastery is […]
Read MoreHow Do I Help the Organization Reach Success? A Coach’s Guide
Being a sports coach is more than just guiding a team to victories on the field. It involves building a culture, fostering resilience, developing athletes’ skills, and driving the success of the entire organization (Mallett […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Role in Driving the Organization Forward
Being part of a sports organization is more than just taking up a position; it’s about embodying a role that influences and shapes the direction of the team. As a coach, your role is instrumental […]
Read MoreWhat Do I Bring to the Organization? Harnessing Your Unique Contribution to Your Sports Team
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek In any sports organization, the individuals involved contribute to its culture, performance, and overall success […]
Read MoreWhy Am I Here / Why Are We Here Together?
Unpacking Individual and Collective Purpose in Sports Leadership Understanding one’s purpose in any venture can be the defining factor that determines success or failure, joy or discontent. The same holds for sports coaching, an occupation […]
Read MoreBeyond Winning: Defining Success in Sports Organizations
Success – a seven-letter word that drives organizations, individuals, and indeed, our societies. Yet, this concept varies widely based on individual beliefs, cultural nuances, and organizational goals. Especially in the context of sports organizations, success […]
Read MoreShaping the Future: What Kind of Organization Do We Want to Be?
Defining the future of an organization is a fundamental strategic process that underpins the direction, purpose, and values it aspires to uphold. In sports coaching, determining the kind of organization we want to be, shapes […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Organization’s Values: The Foundation of Effective Coaching
Coaching in sports goes beyond the realm of performance metrics and winning strategies. It shapes the culture of an organization and profoundly impacts athletes’ lives. At the core of this influence are the organization’s values, […]
Read MoreIdentifying My Preferred Leadership Style
Effective leadership is a crucial aspect of coaching. By identifying and understanding your preferred leadership style, you can lead more authentically and make a greater impact on your athletes and your team’s performance. Understanding Leadership […]
Read MoreThe Vital Role of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness in Coaching
Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are essential elements in effective leadership, including sports coaching. Defined as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others, emotional intelligence has emerged as […]
Read MoreThe Influence of Personal Values and Beliefs on Coaching
In the arena of sports coaching, personal values and beliefs act as an invisible guiding hand, shaping our interactions, decisions, and coaching practices (Hardy, Jones, & Gould, 1996). The Role of Values and Beliefs in […]
Read MoreUnderstanding and Honoring My Moral Compass
Our moral compass is a critical part of who we are as individuals and leaders. It comprises the personal values, ethics, and principles that guide our actions and decisions (Shao, Aquino, & Freeman, 2008). A […]
Read MoreEnvisioning and Becoming the Best Version of Myself
The journey to becoming the best version of oneself is a personal and unique path that requires introspection, understanding, and a commitment to self-improvement. This journey is not about reaching a state of perfection but […]
Read MoreEmbracing Authenticity in Leadership and Coaching
Authenticity has emerged as a critical aspect of effective leadership and coaching. Leadership researchers often cite authenticity as a key characteristic of successful leaders, linking it to improved leadership effectiveness and employee engagement (Banks et […]
Read MoreWhat Are My Perceptions and Biases? The Unseen Factors in Sports Coaching
In the realm of sports coaching, this insight from da Vinci always holds true: “All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions”. Our perceptions and biases, often operating subconsciously, can significantly positively or negatively […]
Read MoreHow Do I Communicate? Exploring Communication Styles in Sports Coaching
Interaction with others is part of the human connection. However, many will spend an entire lifetime refining their communication skills. As a coach, communication is essential to athletes, the team, and reaching success. Effective communication […]
Read MoreWhy Do I Love Coaching?
“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their growth,” said legendary business coach, Sir John Whitmore. This sentiment rings true across all coaching domains, including sports. The passion for coaching sports goes beyond winning […]
Read MoreWhy am I here? The Importance of Coaches Knowing Their ‘Why’ in Education and Training
Education and training are extremely important. There are so many different trainings and reasons for the education, many times it is a requirement for working for a company, being a coach or athlete on a […]
Read MoreThe Crucial Role of Self-Understanding in Leadership and Coaching
The realm of leadership and sports coaching is complex and multifaceted, with countless variables influencing outcomes. However, one factor stands out as particularly foundational: self-understanding. As leadership expert John C. Maxwell once said, “You must […]
Read MoreWho is a Leader, Who is a Hero
The passing of Willis Reed, former New York Knicks star, Basketball Hall of Famer, New York legend, is in many ways more painful than the loss of my boyhood idol, Tom Seaver. Reed is a […]
Read MoreCoaches Do Make Mistakes
Coaches do make mistakes. Are these “mistakes” intentional or actual mistakes that a human being can make? Are coaches and other sports leaders willing to self reflect, identify toxic and abusive behavior, and take corrective […]
Read MoreAnother Super Bowl, Another Barrier
The first Super Bowl with two African American starting quarterbacks,sent me thinking back to two pioneers, who inspired me as a fat white kid growing up in Upstate New York and destined to put my […]
Read MoreRecovery From Toxic Culture
Teri McKeever, former head coach of the University of California, Berkeley’s women’s swimming and diving program, was recently fired due to allegations of toxicity and abuse from former athletes and staff. These allegations have been […]
Read MoreThe Best in the Very Nearly Worst of Times for the NFL
It was a game with no outcome that will be the one that we will all remember. On Monday night January 2, 2023, the largest viewing audience of the then-17 week old 2022 football season, […]
Read MoreThe Life That Came After Was the Miracle for Franco Harris
There are athletes who are touched by destiny or maybe they grab destiny in their hands before it falls to the ground unused. Franco Harris, who died overnight on December 21, was one of those […]
Read MoreKeep Your Eyes on the Prize: A Note of Advice for College Athletes & the Transfer Portal
We are about to hear far more about the transfer portal- the NCAA mechanism that lets college athletes switch schools- than we ever have before. The portal undoubtedly will, either separately or together with Name, […]
Read MoreMake Good Choices
Since my daughter was in middle school, me and my wife have told both of our kids to make good choices…and not eat yellow snow. Even though our daughter is 21 and our son is […]
Read MoreThe Brutality of Burnout in Competitive Sport
The last few articles I’ve written here have been primarily focused on different Mental Skills and helping athletes reach their full potential and become the best athletes and people they can be. But we also […]
Read MoreThe One Lap That Meant Everything
If I were to ask, “who won, the men’s 400-meter dash at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics?” It would most likely illicit a puzzled look, especially if you aren’t a Track & Field aficionado. Asking who […]
Read MoreLeadership Can Look Different to Each and Every One of Us
When I say the word ‘Leader’, we all probably think of someone different. Some of us may see a former coach, a player on our team, or someone entirely unrelated to sports. Leaders are everywhere, […]
Read MoreAnother Look at the Sarver Investigation & Sanction
The shocking results of the NBA’s external investigation of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, and his actions and the workplace culture of his franchise were revealed last week, and Sarver was suspended for a year […]
Read MoreBeing Distracted
Tom Brady had a tough game this past Sunday. Teammates, coaches, analysts, and fans can all speculate what happened on Sunday, but Tom Brady is the only one who truly knows what he was going […]
Read MoreRecognizing & Celebrating Resilience: The Key to Making this Season Matter
Back in the Summer of 2021, a time no one really remembers because time in this pandemic has truly been a flat circle, without much context within it, only recollections from before and some sense […]
Read MoreAnother Toxic Culture Uncovered
The owner of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns was suspended and fined by the NBA. For 17 years, the toxic culture prevailed. All personnel in both organizations were impacted by Robert Sarver’s toxic leadership […]
Read MoreNIL In High School: A Parents’ Guide
One of the biggest revolutions of the last 14 months is the removal of barriers that prevented college athletes from receiving financial benefits from the use of their names, images, and likenesses (called “NIL”). As […]
Read MoreEducation and Sports
Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote about “The ability to focus can become your secret weapon“. It was an extremely informative article that dove deep into understanding focus and assisting athletes to better focus. If you have […]
Read MoreThe Ability to Focus Can Become Your Secret Weapon
I’ll be the first person to admit that I struggle to focus pretty often. I have a real ‘wanderer’ of a mind and that can make things difficult for me. Whether it’s trying to get […]
Read MoreThe NFL’s Problems with Women: Why They Matter
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell boldly declared back in 2010 that the league, which had earned a bit more than $8 billion in annual revenue the prior year, would generate $25 billion annually by 2027. The […]
Read MorePositive Coaching
Have you ever had a coach tell you that she believed in you? If you did, that coach may have been onto something. That same coach probably told you that he was proud of you […]
Read MoreFarewell Serena Williams Athlete, Welcome Serena Williams Leader
Some time in the next 14 days Serena Williams, the most decorated and dominant woman tennis player of all-time, will take her final bows as a competitive tennis player. This U.S. Open will be her […]
Read MoreResilient Athletes
Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote that “Resilient athletes aren’t born, they’re built”. It was an extremely informative article that dove deep into how athletes respond to adversity and that it is essential that coaches help athletes […]
Read MoreResilient Athletes Aren’t Born, They’re Built
No matter how long you’ve been involved in sports, there has undoubtedly been a time where things didn’t go your way, right? This is one of the most interesting aspects of competitive sport to me. […]
Read MorePeople Behaving Badly in Sports Can Result in Death
I recently wrote a few articles about coaches, athletes, parents, and even officials behaving badly at sporting events. Poor behavior in sports looks like it is on the rise, especially in the United States. While […]
Read MoreProviding Positive Feedback
When did you last take the time to provide positive feedback to your athletes? Was it last week, month, or year? Have you ever provided positive feedback as you are always “hard” on your athletes? […]
Read MoreTrouble in West Bengal?
What is going on in Bengal cricket? That’s what I want to know… For the second time in a span of two years, I have had to see a veteran cricketer leave the team I […]
Read MoreWhat is Winning?
A conventional definition of winning is gaining, resulting in, or relating to a victory in a contest or competition. But have you ever questioned it beyond this definition? In the context of sport, what is […]
Read MoreAssessing Your Team’s Culture
When was the last time that you assessed what was happening in your organization? What did you see? Who did you speak to? Was what you saw and heard reflective of the organizational culture that […]
Read MoreAthlete Confidence
Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote an in-depth and exceptional article about confidence. If you have not had an opportunity, please take the time to read “The Start of the Confidence Rabbit Hole”. Bryce does not discuss […]
Read MoreThe Start of the Confidence Rabbit Hole
Confidence… It’s something we hear about all the time both inside and outside competitive sports. It’s such a subjective topic that means something different to every person who talks about it, so I want to […]
Read MoreMotivation as a Driver of Culture
Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote that “Team Culture Should Be Founded on Motivation”. It was an extremely informative article the dove deep into how a team’s culture is influenced or led by motivation. Many thought leaders […]
Read MoreTeam Culture Should Be Founded on Motivation
There are a million different ways to ‘run’ a team, a million different ways to lead. No matter your approach to it all, one of the most important factors of the whole situation is motivation. […]
Read MoreSomething to Look Into: Real Madrid Femenino
Recently, a soon-to-be-former Real Madrid women’s team player and Swedish international, Kosovare Asllani, talked about the “unhealthy and dangerous environment” at the club. This kind of story could be very damaging for a club of […]
Read MoreA Shift in Sports Media Coverage
More than 140 days have gone by. A lot can happen in 140 days. Novak Djokovic won the men’s Wimbledon tennis tournament, the Colorado Avalanche won the NHL Stanley Cup, and the WNBA had their […]
Read MoreHow Young Is Too Young for Parents to Think About Professional Sports Careers for Their Children?
I was recently speaking to a parent of a very young athlete about the importance of youth participation in sports, specifically team sports. There are many benefits of children participating in sports, to include learning […]
Read MoreWhat if Everyone is Not On Board?
Whenever a team is being run, every member of the organization needs to be able to work together. That means the players, the front office, the coaches, the staff, and anyone else who is needed […]
Read MoreThere’s More Where That Came From
When a player is removed from a squad through a cut (whether they are released or waived) or trade, it is typical for them to bring up dirty laundry in talks about their former club, […]
Read MoreSocial media being a toxic factor in football
The power and evolution of social media continues to grow and have an impact on not just football but all sports especially in the last decade. With social media now becoming such a necessity to […]
Read MoreAlan Pardew: Setting a Good Example
Recently, an incident involving a Bulgarian soccer team showed us what it means to have good leadership, as well as displaying the sad state of affairs in soccer for a country as a whole. Alan […]
Read MoreAthleticism And Humility At Its Finest, Justin “Jolly” Rogers; True Sportsmanship Leads To A New State Record
Readers, Justin “Jolly” Rogers is a remarkable athlete and person who recently broke the Pennsylvania State Meet AAA record with a vault of 17 feet 3 inches … utterly remarkable. Not only is he talented, […]
Read MoreHow A Team’s Sports Culture Drives Their Success
It would be foolish for any high level athlete to think that their team is not a business. In terms of the NBA, teams are money making machines, and owners won’t stop for anything if […]
Read MoreLGBTQ in football
Football is a sport that unites everyone and brings all those from different countries, religions, and ethnicities and like any other sport football has the power to unite everyone together within the football community. With […]
Read MoreGraduations, Feuding Coaches & Jerome Bettis Leads the Way
This is graduation season. College and high school graduations are winding down. The spring is a season of transitions and as athletes, coaches, and lovers of sport we are among the most highly motivated by […]
Read MoreSamantha Johnson: Soccer, Support, & Stars of the Future
This week Wes and Mike interviewed Californian soccer player, Samantha Johnson, who has been involved in the game since she was five years old. Samantha came from a culture of team bonding and this she […]
Read MoreWhy Sir Alex Ferguson Is One of the Greatest Premier League Managers
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most well-known football managers in the world but in particular in the UK and within Premier League football. This is due to his success as manager of Manchester […]
Read More2022 Sports Leader of the Year Winner
The results are in for the Culture in Sports, Sports Leader of the Year Award! Thanks to everyone who voted for who they thought should win out of our three nominees. The winner of the […]
Read MoreAnother Example of Bad Behavior in Sports
I recently wrote an article “Is Bad Behavior in Sports on the Rise?“, where I discussed the how fighting and other unsportsmanlike behavior of athletes, coaches, fans, and others is becoming more prevalent. While the […]
Read MoreLori Okimura: Volleyball Visionary
In the third episode of the second season of the Culture in Sports podcasts, Wes and Mike talk to World ParaVolley Sports Director Lori Okimura. Born and raised in Hawaii, Okimura grew up loving sports […]
Read MoreCarlo Ancelotti’s Coaching Skills to Get Real Madrid to the Champions League Final
Carlo Ancelotti is one of the most well known and successful coaches in the world of football. He’s managed many big clubs such as Chelsea and Bayern Munich and is currently at Real Madrid for […]
Read MorePremier League Ownership
The English Premier League is arguably the bets football league in the world and the pinnacle league for players not just in England but players from all over the world. The reputation this league has […]
Read MoreMaking Kyle Thomas: Mentoring Part Two
Kyle Thomas is the guest of the part two episode of the Culture in Sports podcast on mentorship. Champion Illinois footballer, Thomas is a great advocate for the benefits of mentorship for the young athlete, […]
Read MoreHow Good Coaching Helped Ronnie O’Sullivan to be World Snooker Champion Again
This past weekend saw the final of the snooker World Championships take place at the Crucible in Sheffield, England. The final was between Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan who was looking to equal the record […]
Read MoreNCAA in Turmoil: Grambling, Swarbrick, and Emmert
This is without question a time of dynamic change or just plain turmoil in college sports. The last month has seen more than its share, culminating in last Tuesday’s announcement by National Collegiate Athletic Association […]
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