Control What You Can Coach

This writing is Certified Human

“You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself.” — Galileo Galilei 

The Obstacle

We want to control it all
Plays
Outcome
Movement
Performance
Advancement
Winning
Losing.

We do not control any of it
Players
Performance
Learning curve
Referees
Weather
The other team.

We look past what’s important
Development
Trust
Camaraderie
Having fun
Progressing
Advancing.

We focus on controlling
Each player
Swing
Throw
Movement
Decision
Victory
Defeat
Mistakes.

We try to control
Micromanage
Every little thing.

Losing sight of the overall picture
That we control none of the outcome.

What’s important
Is we coach
Not command. 

Setting the pieces where they should be
Developing where we can
Instilling confidence
Letting the game play out
With our support and leadership.

The Gift and Opportunity

A coach develops.

Allows each their own path.

Finding individual strengths
Developing.

Putting players in situations to grow.

On game day
We step back
And watch it unfold
Slightly moving pieces
Correcting as needed
Without micromanaging
Each player
Each move
Each decision.

We allow the players to learn
Within their own capacity
And enjoy the game.

We cannot play the game for them.

Watch it as a general would on a hill overlooking the battle

Staying strategically active
Without overmanaging.

The Practice of Self-Mastery

• Notice the urge to control every outcome
• Focus on development instead of perfection
• Lead strategically instead of emotionally
• Allow room for learning confidence and mistakes

CHEAT CODE: NOTICE → STEP BACK → DEVELOPE → TRUST → LEAD

The Why

I coach little league baseball.

We do not have much time to develope the players.

Each game feels like I should be there
Correcting every pitch
Every throw
Swing
Stolen base
Pop fly
Ground ball
Every decision.

It’s easy to get lost in every decision
Correcting
Barking orders
To each child
At each moment.

I can lose sight of what’s important.
Easily step over the boundary
From coach to commander
Controlling each aspect.

This diminishes their development
And confidence.

It’s a fine line to walk between
Encouraging and progressing
Coaching and domineering.

They are there to learn about each other
The game
And themselves.

I’m there to make sure they feel loved
Develope
And have fun.

They will learn what leadership looks like
Inside themselves
And from a coach.