DIRECTIONAL LEADER

Directional leader
This style doesn't get much press, but it is exceedingly important. The directional leader has the uncanny, God-given ability to choose the right path at those critical intersections where an organization starts asking hard questions: "Is it time for a wholesale change or should we stay the course? Do we focus on growth or consolidation? Should we start new ministries or deepen and improve existing ones? Should we add facilities or relocate? Is it time for some fresh staff, or do we dance with those who brought us here?"

These are directional issues, and they are capable of immobilizing an organization. But a leader with a directional style is able to sort the options. He or she can carefully assess the values, mission, strengths, weaknesses, resources, personnel, and openness to change of an organization—then, with remarkable wisdom, point that organization in the right direction.

Wrong calls at these key intersections can wreck organizations. Shortly after Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam became king. His first critical intersection came almost immediately: a representative group of the people asked for their workloads to be reduced. Solomon had worked people to the point of despair. Rehoboam had to make a directional call. The older counselors said, "You'd better ease up on them." The younger counselors said, "Just load them up." He made the wrong call at that intersection, and it wrecked the kingdom.

When Willow Creek is at such a crossroads, I will not move in the direction I believe God is calling us without the green light from two board members who are strong in directional leadership. Whenever we've followed their lead, we've made good decisions. Whenever we've ignored their advice, we've paid a high price.

Finding Your Leadership Style

Ten different ways to lead God's people.

by Bill Hybels

Visionary Leader

Visionary leader
These leaders have a crystal-clear picture in their minds of what they want to happen. They cast visions powerfully and possess indefatigable enthusiasm to pursue the mission.

Visionaries shamelessly appeal to anyone and everyone to get on board with the vision. They talk about it, write about it, burn white-hot for it. They are future-oriented, usually idealistic, and full of faith to believe the vision can and will be actualized if the dream is talked about and cast often enough.

Visionary leaders are not easily discouraged or deterred. In fact, if people tell them their dream is impossible, that just adds fuel to the fire in their spirit.

Visionary leaders may or may not be able to form teams, align talents, set goals, or manage progress toward the achievement of the vision. But this one thing is sure: They carry the vision. They cast the vision. They draw people into the vision, and they'll die trying to see it fulfilled.

I was at a conference with John Maxwell some time back. John was teaching on vision, and he started his talk on one side of the sanctuary to symbolize the beginning of the vision.

"You have no money, you have no people, you have no faith, but you have the vision. So you put one foot in front of the other, and you walk, by the light of the vision . …" He began to walk across the stage.

"Then, along the way, as you share that vision, God gives you the faith, the power, the people, the resources . …" Everyone's eyes were riveted on John as he made this vision walk. But there was a planter between where he was and where he was headed. Inside, I'm screaming, Watch out for the planter! John never saw it. He ran into it and stumbled—but the vision was so powerful that he never stopped speaking, never lost his train of thought. I was looking around the crowd, and no one else even seemed to notice!

You know a person is a visionary leader when he trips on the stage and no one even acknowledges it! It was a picture of the leader who cannot help but pour out the vision, despite any obstacle.

Bill Hybels - FINDING YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE

A STORY ABOUT COURAGE

What do these three men have in common: the auto racer who set the world speed record at Daytona in 1914, the pilot who recorded the highest number of victories in aerial combat against the Germans in World War I, and the secretary of war’s special advisor who survived a plane crash and twenty-two days on a raft in the Pacific during World War II? They all lived through dangerous circumstances. They all displayed courage and steely nerves under duress. And they all happen to be the same person – Eddie Rickenbacker.

Meeting a challenge was never a big problem for Eddie Rickenbacker, whether it was physical, mental, or economic. When he was twelve, his father died, and he quit school to become the family’s primary breadwinner. He sold newspapers, eggs, and goat’s milk. He worked in a glass factory, brewery, shoe factory, and foundry. Then as a teenager, he started working as a race car mechanic, and at age twenty-two, he began racing. Two years later he set the world speed record.

When the United States entered World War I, Rickenbacker tried to enlist as an aviator, but he was overage and undereducated. So instead he entered as a chauffer and then talked his superiors into sending him to flight training. Despite not fitting in with his college-educated fellow aviators, he excelled as a pilot. And by the time the war was over, he had logged 300 combat hours (the most of any American pilot), survived 134 aerial encounters with the enemy, claimed 26 kills, and earned the Medal of Honor, eight Distinguished Service Crosses, and the French Legion of Honor. He was also promoted to captain and put in command of his squadron.

Rickenbacker’s prowess in the air caused the press to dub him the “American Ace of Aces.” When asked about his courage in combat, he admitted the he had been afraid. “Courage,” he said, “is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.”

The courage served the Ace of Aces well after World War I. In 1933, he became the vice president of Eastern Air Transport (later Eastern Airlines). Back then all airlines existed only because they were subsidized by the government. But Rickenbacker thought they should be self-sufficient. He decided to completely change the way the company did business. Within two years he made Eastern profitable, a first in aviation history. And when the President of the United States cancelled all commercial carriers’ air mail contracts, Rickenbacker took him on – and won. Rickenbacker led Eastern successfully for thirty years and retired at age seventy-three. When he died ten years later, his son, William, wrote, “If he had a motto, it must have been the phrase I’ve heard a thousand times: “I’ll fight like a wildcat!”

What Does It Take to Lead Others?

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO LEAD OTHERS?…

SELF-CONFIDENCE

            In order to lead/influence others, they have to believe in you.  In order for these people to believe in you, you have to believe in yourself!  Whether you believe in yourself or not is the ultimate determining factor whether someone else will follow you.  When a leader speaks up for the first time, or asks something new of others, there’s that moment, when those hearing the request of the order decide whether or not they will head the call.  In that moment, the potential followers process and decipher what’s been said.  Major internal decisions are made.  Yes, they will consider the validity or usefulness of the requested action, but the person is really answering one tough question: Do I believe in this person?  If the answer is yes, immediate and complete action will be taken.  If they are unsure, they will test the waters and total devotion will not occur.  A skeptical relenting may take place.  “I’ll go along, but you don’t totally have me yet” attitude will set in.  If there is no solid belief, mockery and defiance will occur.  The position of the so-called leader may require obedience but this following will be done only in motion and will never last.

Some of you are thinking, “I am not a natural leader, I am a role player” or “I lead by my actions.”  The reality is that this team will or will not follow you, and this will be determined by whether or not they believe in you.

The question then, is “How do I get the team to believe in me?”  The answer is you have to believe in yourself!  If you do not have self-confidence, how do you expect to have the confidence of others?  It will not happen.  You cannot fool your teammates for any significant length of time.  People can and will read you.  When you are standing up in front, or talking in the huddle, their eyes will be looking inside of you.  They will hear your words, but will also be listening to their own inner voice saying “Is this guy for real or is he a joke?”

Do you have self-confidence?  Some of you do and some of you do not.  However, all of you can, and all of you should!  You gain self-confidence by investing more than anyone else in preparation for the season.  The season should mean more to you than anyone else.  Have the maturity and awareness to soak up each day.  You should not dread workouts, but instead, enjoy them!  Realize what you can do.  Realize that each day counts.  This is when you will be stamp your name.  Because of this, be inspired to totally devote yourself to this team, to give 100% in all you do, and to make this a success.  When you do this, your teammates will believe in you as a leader.  More importantly, you will believe in you.  You will know that you’ve done everything possible, and have done so with great effort.  It’s an awesome feeling.  You will feel comfortable leading others and will be extremely effective.  Teammates will see your drive, how much this means to you, how committed you are, and how much you’ve sacrificed.  They will want to follow you.  They will be excited about how clear and committed you are, and they will believe in you.  They will follow you because you believe in yourself.  You will believe in yourself because you will know that you’ve done everything asked of you, and more. 

FOCUS DEFINED AS...

Focus is an intimate concentration on a specific task, which requires total body, wind,
spirit, cohesion and control.

To want something but nothing will get in your way; sickness, a bad day, class, etc. To want something so much, nothing else matters and only doing things that will help one reach a goal. For example, not going out but getting the rest you really need to help you.

Focus is when your mental attention is centered on what you need to do. Nothing else
can get into your head. You are focused.

To concentrate on everything and everyone around you. To know your job as well as the
other players around you. To absorb the teachings from your coach and know it. To
remain humble, to learn, to know your job. To learn from your mistakes. All of this to
me reflects focus.

I think focus is best defined by knowing what you want and knowing the proper way to
get it. One does not let anything distract then when they focused.

One must first determine a vision in which to focus on. Focus is the attention to detail
and determination to make our vision, our reality.

The ability to concentrate on something by ignoring outside, important forces that can
interfere with the task at hand. Taking advantage of all opportunities that facilitate the
task that increase the chances of success.

When someone can resist a temptation in the present to further pursue a goal in the
future.

To concentrate with full attention or energy on one specific task/project.

When you devote your full work ethic — be it mental and physical — to the achievement
of a goal or number of goals.

Concentrating on your responsibility.
It is setting your mind to achieve a specific course or action.
Concentrate at all times on what needs to be done.

Focus is devotion to a particular idea or action. When you are focused on something,
you must be completely dedicated to that task.

By concentrating on what I need to do personally and forgetting about things that stand
in my way. I also think being a leader will help others focus.

• As defined by Past Players

Plyometric Training

Plyometric Training

Prior to a training cycle all coaches need to ID what the goal of the training program is. Hopefully all coaches have the same #1 goal of trying to mitigate injury risk during sport. I bet the next goal would be to get the athletes bigger, faster, and stronger. With strength being the foundation for all movements, an increase in strength will also facilitate to gains in size and speed. In this blog however we will focus on supplementing our strength movements with plyometric training to help the athlete’s become more powerful.  

What is plyometric training? Well depending on who you ask will give you some type of different answer with the main point being “to increase power” in some capacity. To break that down further: Power = Work/Time. With time being a constant that we are unable to adjust (make time to move slower or faster) we must focus on Work. Well, what is work? Work is defined as Work= Force/Distance. So, we can better look at power as:

Force x DistanceTime=Power

This is just an easier way to look at the power equation with our end goal to simply increase force. 

When also talking about power the Force Velocity Curve is often used to represent power. When looking at the curve we see as velocity increases, weight decreases and vice versa. Weight increases the velocity decreases. We can also see the dash line is the “power curve”. Peak power is around 30% and power training zone is between 30 – 70%. Our whole goal in training is to shift the whole curve to the right, which would indicate we can move more weight at a higher velocity meaning the athlete is more powerful.  

Now what does this have to do with plyometrics? Well, plyometric training is a different modality used to help increase power output. When looking at plyometrics what are the mechanism used to help increase power? The stretch shortening cycle is mechanism in which the muscle fiber loads eccentrically storing kinetic energy then quickly transfers to a violent concentric contraction. This SSC is the reason we can jump higher by doing a counter movement vs just doing a static jump or movement. The SSC can be broken down into 3 phases: 1. Eccentric (Loading Phase) 2. Amortization Phase 3. Concentric (Take Off Phase). 

1. Eccentric – the part of the jump with the athlete rapidly decelerates the body into a loaded position.

2. Amortization Phase – the transition from the load to the jump. That tiny piece of time when the body changes from deceleration to acceleration.

3. Concentric – when the body is rapidly accelerated upward and leaves the ground. 

Each phase plays a crucial role in an athlete’s ability to produce power. If the athlete is not able to load correctly (eccentric phase) they lose the ability to transfer their kinetic energy into a more powerful jump. Along with that comes the increased likely hood of injury. Often times athletes get hurt on the eccentric phase of movements when there is a weak spot in the kinetic chain. When there is a lack of strength or poor mechanics the muscle tissue is not able to properly absorb and dissipate the applied force. This makes ligaments and tendons now absorb forces they are not cable of doing which leaves the athletes susceptible ligament tears and muscle strains. 

Amortization phase is often times not talked about as much but plays a major role in the athlete’s ability to produce power. The shorter the amortization phase, the more powerful an athlete will be. The longer they spend in the amortization phase the more energy is lost from the eccentric phase reducing the affects of the SSC. So a efficient landing that reduces the time to take off will increase jump height.

Concentric phase is the violent muscle contraction that allows the athlete to drive through the ground and up. This is when we see the athlete take flight and leave the ground. Proper mechanics are also of emphasis to ensure the athlete does not waste any energy on movements that do not help the athlete transfer and produce more force. 

This has been a very brief overview of what plyometrics is, the goal, and some basic understanding of what occurs during a plyometric movement. So now how do we actually improve our power? There is a million different ways to actually increase power, but number one has to be get stronger. Depending on what population you work with I would bet 95% of your athletes need to just get stronger. At the college level strength is always the first thing that needs to get addressed. Obviously form when training is a huge part of the limitations for younger athletes and not compromising form for weight is a must. But at the end of the day strength is king; however, you can supplement your strength training with plyometrics to ensure you are preparing the athlete for sport while also working on strength. 

Plyometrics Programming

With there being so many different modalities to program for an increase in power I will not go over all of them. Olympic lifting is the go-to movements for an increase in power. Anyone who does Olympic lifting will emphasis that the are an absolute must. I will counter with this, if you yourself are not able to properly perform the movement or coach the movement to the very last inch do not expect your athletes to perform them either. Olympic lifting is very technical and some even consider an art. I think they are awesome movements if done well, if done poorly they can lead to a slew of injuries and issues in your weight room. Often times variations of cleans pulls can give you similar affects of Olympic lifting with less technique required since there is no catching of the bar. 

Another great option is med balls. You can do so many different things with med balls to help increase an athlete ability to create power. Throwing, jumping, and landing with med balls are all different options you can do. They also allow to train in the transverse field of movement with rotational throws. They can be broken down for the very basic part of movements by starting on your knees and then transitioning to the feet as the athletes learn how to complete the movement. If done correctly there are so many different things to do that an athlete can get powerful in all plans of movement and not get bored of the same thing. 

The movements I want to really talk about though are field movements to help athletes become more powerful. Why field-based movements? Because everyone has the capability of performing these movements with their athletes. Med ball though cheaper than Olympic bars and plates still cost money and need room to complete. To work on the field all you need is some open space. When writing a plyometric program, the same thought process is used when writing a lifting program. Simple to more complex, and too much too early can be a huge setback for the athletes. Here is a sample of what an 8 step plyometric progression would be for broad jumps, box jumps, and push look like. I used step by because based of what type of athletes you may have. Step 1 may take 5 weeks, maybe step 1 – 4 is easy, and step 5 takes a long time. 

Extensive jumps are great to just get athletes back jumping and moving while reducing the total amount of intensity. It is more of a rhythmic movement that helps with blood flow to the working tissues and ensures you do not do too much to fast. You should be coaching those up with the same intent on landing and take off mechanics. Once landing and take off mechanics are locked in the athlete should transfer to intensive jumps (box jumps and broad jumps). That would be steps 3 – 8. With still focusing on being able to land and take off correctly. Then transferring to max effort movements. 

INSTILLING A WINNING ATTITUDE THROUGHOUT OUR PROGRAM

INSTILLING A WINNING ATTITUDE THROUGHOUT OUR PROGRAM

              Winning is not by accident.  It is the result of Preparation, Attitude and confidence. 

WINNING ATTITUDE vs LOSING ATTITUDE

Winning Attitude:  Even when you lose you firmly believe you only ran out of time.  You expect to win, and know that eventually you will win. 

LOYALTY

              There are plenty of negative forces out there, stay positive about your teammates, coaches, and your High School.

BEHAVIOR

a)       Love and Respect the game of football and all that it stands for

b)       Love and Respect your teammates & coaches

c)       Love and Respect the Home of Champions

PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY

a)       Show Up

b)       Play Hard

c)       Be Tough (be on time, respect others, be coachable, etc.)

d)       Know What You Are Doing (How you build trust)

COACHES RESPONSIBILITY

a)       Develop the players fundamentals

b)       Develop and implement a plan to put players in position to be successful

c)       Be fair

d)       Always have the players’ safety in mind

COACH / PLAYER RELATIONSHIP

              When done correctly it can be the most rewarding and closest relationship that you can develop next to your own family.  Relationships are a result of experiences that you share with an individual or individuals.  In the nature of football and all the effort, hard work, dedication and sacrifice that you are involved in, football puts you, your teammates and your coaches in situations that many fail to ever experience.  Not many people get the opportunity to develop a relationship that will truly last a lifetime.  Take advantage of it and do it the right way.

Start off Your High School Year on the Right Foot

Let;s get off on the right foot this high school year by keeping in mind the following to have great success

1. Get around the students: go lunch, to go watch practice, get in the halls during class change. Build those relationships

2. Keep the strength program simple

3. Keep the strength program consistent

4. Coach all your students not just the atheletes

5. Use social media to provide positive motivation

6. Make sure your recording structure shows the students their progress

7. Play good music!

8. Set expectations to start class and recap at the end of class

9. Have great solutions for students that have a hard time with certian exercises

10. Pour your heart in everyday

A FEW KEY POINTS IN DEVELOPING A PROGRAM

A COACH MUST BE A PROBLEM SOLVER, AS ATHLETICS IS A CONSTANT CRISIS. THOSE OF US WHO HANDLE IT BEST, ARE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL

EXPLAIN WHAT YOU WANT HEAD TO TOE

-EAM MEETING TO SET EXPECTATION

-WEIGHT ROOM / TRAINING ROOM / EQ ROOM / ACADEMICS / NUTRITION / FOOTBALL

-GOAL FOR PLAYERS TO EXECUTE THE EXPECTATIONS

-DISCRETIONARY / OFF DAYS

-TEXTS / CALLS / TEAMWORKS / VIDEO / PICTURES / NOT ALWAYS ABOUT TRAINING

-WEIGHT ROOM BOARD / LOCKER ROOM BOARD / FUELING STATION / ACADEMICS

-KEEP EMPHASIZING AND RE-EMPHASIZING WHAT YOU WANT

FORMULATE GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS

±EAT WITH PLAYERS

±BE IN THE LOCKER ROOM

±INTERACT

±SPLIT STAFF TO BE IN CHARGE OF PLAYERS

±SWITCH GUYS UPS

±WALK BY A GUY IN THE HALL TALK TO HIM

±OFFICE ALWAYS OPEN

±PLAYER COMES IN YOU STOP WHAT YOUR DOING AND INTERACT

±DON’T ALWAYS TALK SPORTS / TRAINING

±PLAYERS KNOW IF YOUR FAKE!

±DON’T RELY ON TEXT OR OTHER FORMS OF TECHNOLGY- USE IT!!! – BUT ALSO MAKE TIME FOR ONE ON ONE CONVERSATION

±RESULT = PLAYERS INVESTED / TRUST / ABLE TO MODIFY/WORK HARDER / EASIER TO COMMUNICATE

EVERYTHING IS ENERGY, YOUR THOUGHT BEGINS IT, YOUR EMOTIONS AMPLIFIES IT AND YOUR ACTION INCREASES IT MOMENTUM

Staff Evaluation to Grow Your Program and Staff

Honest evaluation is the key to growth. Every year I would have an evaluation with my staff after the winter and summer. There were specific questions that I wanted detailed answers to. It was an evaluation to make sure the program was at the standard I wanted, that it was continuing to evolve, that my message and vision was being portrayed the right way and that I was doing everything I could to develop my assistants to get them to where they wanted to go. Most importantly that they knew they had ownership in the program! After each staff member completed the evaluation we went over it together. I always felt those meetings made me a better coach! After I met with all the staff, we would get together and go over the evaluations as they pertained to the advancement of the program. The meeting always made our program better and we as coaches got better!

Below is an exact evaluation that I would give to my staff after the summer (NOTE: some questions would change annually based on staff tenure and evolution of the program)

It is important to note that we had meetings or talks daily about everything in the program! The one thing I always challenged my staff’s is that they always take time to THINK everyday and if they ever see or have a problem to address it and have a few solutions to the problem.

STAFF SELF EVALUATION (PLEASE LIST AT LEAST THREE… IT CAN BE MORE… BE SPECIFIC AND HOW YOU WILL GET IT BETTER)

BEST 2 ATTRIBUTES ABOUT THE SUMMER PROGRAM

WITHIN OUR CONTROL WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE SUMMER PROGRAM

WHAT ARE THE BEST ASPECTS OF OUR PROGRAM

 WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF OUR PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THE BEST

 WHAT ARE YOU BEST AT IN HELPING THE PROGRAM

 WHAT ARE YOU BEST AT HELPING THE STAFF

 WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO WORK ON

 WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES DO YOU NOT HAVE THAT YOU NEED TO GET BETTER AT

WHAT ATTRIBUTES DO YOU HAVE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL HEAD STRENGTH COACH

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP

THINGS TO REMEMBER

·       BE PROACTIVE

·       SOLUTIONS

·       BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

·       ALWAYS THINK / ACT THE BEST – CHAMPIONSHIPS

ATTACK YOUR DAY!!!!!