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 MoreTag: Coaches
From 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 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 MoreAn Uphill Battle: Why Challenges to the NCAA and Its Authority Are So Difficult
The Culture Roundtable webinar series continues with a discussion about how it’s incredibly difficult for student athletes to work through challenges with the NCAA.
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 MoreState of the Union
Episode 2 looks at the recent legislative push to ban transgender kids from scholastic sports across the country in the context of the anti-trans bathroom bans that preceded it. I also dive into the Soule v. […]
Read MoreMore Than a Game
In Episode 1, I start to introduce you to some of the legal scholars and advocates I interviewed in my research. Their remarks all come from recorded interviews that are available in full via provided […]
Read MoreHearsay From the Sidelines – Season 1 Prologue
This brief prologue explains a bit about who I am as host and creator of Season 1 of Hearsay from the Sidelines. You can learn more about me as a professional via my Seton Hall […]
Read MoreHearsay From the Sidelines – A New Show Coming Soon
Listen to our new show: “Hearsay From the Sidelines”, a place where law, sports and culture intersect and is brought to you by Culture in Sports and Seton Hall Law School’s Gaming, Hospitality, Entertainment and […]
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 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 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 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 MoreMistakes Coaches Make
Culture in Sports’ webinar series continues with industry experts diving into the impact of coaches and their decisions. What best practices can we put forward to help coaches avoid toxic or abusive culture, Safe Sport […]
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 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 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 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 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 MoreCoaching from Dad
In this episode with jacoby and jaylen jackson we get to listen to experiences with having a parent heavily involved in your sport. Jay speaks on having his dad on and off the court practicing, […]
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 MoreVideo: Life with a little help from sports – Part 2
This is a two part episode, this second part with Kyle Thomas, discussing the importance of mentors throughout his sports career. The values and standards they taught him are helping him become the best version […]
Read MoreLife with a little help from sports – Part 2
This is a two part episode, this second part with Kyle Thomas, discussing the importance of mentors throughout his sports career. The values and standards they taught him are helping him become the best version […]
Read MoreIs Bad Behavior in Sports on the Rise?
Last week, Owen Woodward of the Weatherford College baseball team decided to run at full speed and tackle a base runner after his home run hit. While baseball is not known for hits, fights, punches, […]
Read MoreLife with a little help from sports
This is a two part episode, this first part with Saber Youman, discussing how leadership and mentorship in sports can play a role in your life and career. The values, discipline and guidance can help […]
Read MoreHow Arsene Wenger Changed English Football Forever
Football is such a popular and traditional sport in English culture and has one of the most viewed exciting leagues in the world with the Premier league which has embedded a way of culture how […]
Read MoreDisappearing Pastimes or Resurrection of Old-fashioned Ingenuity?
In this golden age of plenty, we are surprisingly lacking the essentials more profoundly that ever before. I read an article which bemoans the increasing lack of sporting facilities in modern urban Australian cities. Obviously […]
Read MoreThe Power and the Passion
I was in a debate with someone about the ‘power’ in an organization. The gentleman in question was adamant that the power came from the team and that they are responsible for the culture of […]
Read MoreTraining Schedules
Coaches and teams are always looking for a competitive edge. This edge comes in many forms, to include better technique, newer and higher tech equipment, uniforms and other clothing that has less drag or resistance, […]
Read MoreUK Grassroots Football Culture
Football is a game that continues to move through generation to generation and it’s important that football can keep its core values especially in the UK where football is one of the most popular sports […]
Read MoreThe Humble Hero
Tonight, Australia gathered or tuned in to farewell cricketer and sporting icon, Shane Warne. The Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG), where Warney was most celebrated, hosted the momentous event which featured politicians and celebrities and was […]
Read MoreCulture in Sports: We Focus on Athletic Success
Athletic success – what does that mean to you? The truth is that it likely means many different things to many different people. Think about it … if you were an athlete (or still are) […]
Read MoreWinning in the Moment: Sometimes You Need to Be Something You’re Not
Be something you’re not … so easy, right? (Hopefully obvious sarcasm) Any serious athlete has experienced this; you step up to a challenge, evolve as a competitor, overcome a personal barrier, or just (let’s be […]
Read MoreTrue Coaches: Creating A Happy Sunset For Someone Else
A true Coach is not really in it for themselves, he/she is in it for the athlete and the people they care about. They’re creating a future for the family they’ve chosen, i.e, a happy […]
Read MoreEarly Greatness: Is It Bad For Mental Health?
Greatness, no matter how long, sticks with a man. (Yes, I used the Gene Hackman reference from The Replacements again) But what is seldom thought about is, “What about greatness at an athlete’s early age?” […]
Read MoreQuicksand
Quicksand is a serious issue, and not one of folklore. It has been around since sports began in our civilization. It does not matter what level or type of sport that is being played, quicksand […]
Read MoreRecovery After an Extremely Toxic and Abusive Culture
Is your organization at rock bottom? There is no trust, little communication, people are scared and confused, employees are bracing for the worst, employees and athletes trust nobody, and athletes are looking elsewhere because of […]
Read MoreEmpathy and Greatness: The Altruistic Lifestyle of a Great Coach
“Greatness, no matter how brief, stays with a man.” (A quote from the great actor Gene Hackman at the end of the superb Sport drama The Replacements, yeah I am indeed “fanboying” that performance) But […]
Read MoreSometimes It Is Just Not a Good Fit
Sometimes it is not just a good fit and that is okay. Russell Westbrook was recently benched by the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and all reports point to Mr. Westbrook’s poor play. While […]
Read MoreFragile Athletes and Coaches
I recently wrote an article about When Coaches Are Unwilling to Adapt or Change. In that article I discussed that “Coaching strategies that may have worked at one level may not work at another” and […]
Read MoreWhen Coaches Are Unwilling to Adapt or Change
Over time, there have been many athletes that could not adapt to higher level competition for a variety of mental, physical, or emotional reasons. Sometimes athletes choose to pursue other directions in their lives or […]
Read MoreCulture and Inclusiveness in Sports
The Culture in Sports podcast recently had Sam Marchiano on as a guest. Sam Marchiano is an award-winning content creator, equality advocate, adjunct assistant professor at NYU’s Tisch Institute of Global Sport, and is recognized […]
Read MoreA True Life Coach: How to Light a Fire in Yourself
What is Sports Culture? Well, as my good friend, Coach of 33 years, and accomplished distance runner Bob Costello puts it, “When you really start to understand it, you understand that it’s about the team, […]
Read MoreVideo: Administrative Leadership and Guidance for Athletes
In this video version of our podcast, Bob Boland speaks about his love for guiding and helping athletes become great leaders in their sports, or even just in life.
Read MoreVideo: Defining Good Culture in Sports
Do you want to watch the video version of our podcast? Here it is! Spend time getting to know what positive culture in sports is. How it’s created from coaches, admin, athletes and more. Jeremy […]
Read MoreDefining Good Culture in Sports
Spend time getting to know what positive culture in sports is. How it’s created from coaches, admin, athletes and more. Jeremy Piasecki will dive into his role in how he created a positive culture.
Read MoreAre Enforcers Making a Comeback?
This past weekend, Kevin Durant was ejected from a game for shoving an opposing player three times, the last time elbowing and shoving him in the neck. This came a game after where the Brooklyn […]
Read MoreMotivation: What drives a more sustainable willingness to grow?
What motivates you? What motivates the ones you lead? These questions are common. Especially, when we think about how to inspire others (in particular Gen-Z). Understanding a person’s drivers can be beneficial for increasing motivation […]
Read MoreNo Girls Allowed
Yesterday, the Taliban’s head of the cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, reportedly said women would not play cricket, or any other sport, under the new regime in Afghanistan. While it was not a surprising announcement, it […]
Read MoreLittle Champions
We can surely all agree that enabling children to participate in organized sports is a winning move all round. They don’t need to excel, they don’t even need to be particularly good, but their participation […]
Read MoreThe Unsung Heroes of Youth Sports
Ever wonder about the work that goes on behind the scenes when you drop off your young athlete at their respective sports clubs. Most likely not because it seems so simple right – and besides […]
Read MoreWho’s Choice is an Athlete led Culture?
Since Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea FC in July 2003 a number of managers have come and gone and yet trophy winning has been consistent. Managers have been sacked after winning a European cup (Di Matteo […]
Read MoreBe the Best Coach You Can Be
Being a coach is not easy. A coach must look out for the safety and well being of the athletes, team, assistant coaches, and support staff. A coach has to provide a safe environment, not […]
Read MoreIt Is Just a Game
It is just a game. No, I am not belittling or discounting any of the hard work that athletes, coaches, and staff put into competing. But I am talking about what people do after their […]
Read MoreIt Only Becomes Equal-ish When It Gets Too Loud
March Madness brings out the best and worst. The best being athletes and teams coming together and excelling on the court, with some extremely low-ranking teams going deep into the tournament. You never know what […]
Read MoreIs It I or We?
When you start a sentence about your team, do you start with an I or we? But let me ask two further questions: When you are speaking about your team’s successes, do you say that […]
Read MoreUse Your Powers for Good or Evil
Do you remember listening or watching coaches, teachers, or other adults when you were a young child? Do you remember when they would tell you to do something, you just assumed they had the authority, […]
Read MoreA Two Year Suspension From Sports Is All Someone Got for the Sexual Abuse and Intimidation of a 13 Year Old Athlete
U.S. Center for Safe Sport and U.S. Figure Skating have just made a bold statement: You can intimidate a 13 year old girl that was sexually abused by a coach, and cover the sexual abuse […]
Read MoreCompetition Is a Great Time for Reflection and Discussion
There are many coaches who say that they remember their losses the most. After the losses, many coaches begin a period of reflection as to why the loss happened, whether the athletes or coaches could […]
Read MoreForever Changing Goalposts
On Monday 22 February the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnston, unveiled the UK’s latest road map to lead the UK out of lockdown into the new ‘normal’ of existing with Covid. 12 April being the […]
Read MoreWhat Can I Do to Make the Culture at My Sports Team Better?
There are so many great ideas on how to influence positive change in an organization that are spoken about in academia, leadership circles, and in the news. Everyone has an idea. Everyone is an expert. […]
Read MoreFlopping
Last week, LeBron James earned a warning from the NBA for his acting. While his acting was not good enough to win at the Oscars or Golden Globes, it did fool the officials on the […]
Read MoreDoing the Right Thing Is Still Only Reactional
The Jacksonville Jaguars made a short lived hire this week, with Chris Doyle lasting a little more than a day before resigning. Their new and now director of sports performance came with a checkered past, […]
Read MoreAndy Reid’s Leadership and Positive Team Culture Lead to This Day
The big game in the United States of America is going to start in a few hours. Two great teams are going to battle it out. Millions of fans are going to watch and many […]
Read MoreCelebrating Women in Sports
As I write this, today we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day in the United States. Women have come a long way in the sports world, and quite frankly still have a long […]
Read MoreI Believe in You
Did you ever have 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 MoreWhen an Athlete Is Injured
Last time I wrote about “Ed”, a retired professional athlete who also participated in the Olympics. Ed experienced an extremely toxic environment the last few years of his professional sports career. During my discussion with […]
Read MoreTeam Culture Can Make or Break Athletes
I recently conducted an interview for research about organizational culture. I interviewed a professional athlete that has played at the highest levels, and even attended the Olympics. He unfortunately had to retire from his profession […]
Read MoreThrowing Chairs
Yes, the photo you are looking at is of a chair. I had many chairs thrown at me as an athlete. All of them were thrown by a coach. Normally, coaches were throwing chairs to […]
Read MoreTreating Teammates Horribly
The National Basketball Association (NBA) season has officially started, and James Harden is in the news again, even before the Houston Rockets played their first game. Shams Charania, of the The Athletic, reported on an incident during practice on Monday where […]
Read MoreWhatever James Wants: A Toxic Culture Surrounding One Player
Russell Westbrook, who was recently traded to the Washington Wizards, recently spoke about the #organizationalculture of the Houston Rockets. Tim MacMahon of ESPN wrote an in-depth piece of the extremely #toxicculture at the Houston Rockets where he shared the extents of the #toxicity. #Toxic organizations can be extremely successful, […]
Read MoreThere Needs to Be a Better Way To Protect Athletes
A little over a month ago, I wrote about how an athlete’s innocence was taken away from her at 13 years old and how US Figure Skating Association‘s Hall of Fame member John Zimmerman and Silvia […]
Read MoreCaring for Someone Should Never Translate Into Mental, Physical, or Emotional Abuse
Juliet Macur of the #newyorktimes wrote a great article about a decision that USA Gymnastics made earlier this year: They suspended a coach for eight years for repeatedly putting her #athletes‘ #mentalhealth, #emotionalhealth, and #physicalhealth in jeopardy. This decision by USA Gymnastics shows they are aware of […]
Read MoreTaking Innocence Away From a Child
I saw this article (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2020/09/29/sexual-abuse-olympic-skater-morgan-cipres-under-investigation-retires/3573251001/) a few weeks ago and then heard nothing else about it. Morgan Cipres, the French Olympic skater who sent two lewd photos of his genitalia to a 13-year-old American female […]
Read MoreCoaches and Trainers, Please Stop Holding Practices
Coaches and trainers need to do the right thing and stop holding practices. If coaches still choose to hold practices, then maybe article could be used to persuade them. An athlete’s mental, physical, and emotional health and safety should never be compromised for training or competition.
Thank you Dr Jon Rudd and Christian Klaue for your contributions to this article.
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