Recipe for Success
By Shane Dreiling
Coaches at all levels are looking for that special player. You know the one. The special player who has all the qualities that you are looking for, perhaps to build a team around. That one individual that you want the members of your team to watch and to emulate.
Whether you are a college coach hitting the recruiting circuit or the high school or youth coach making final cuts or planning playing time, I believe it is critical that you are able to recognize those qualities that YOU find absolute necessary in your team leaders. Coaches at all levels talk about athleticism and quickness. We all want the great athlete, the big strong post player and the quick pesky guards up top. However, are these qualities that YOU find absolutely necessary?
Below are the qualities that I feel are vital in our players, especially those student-athletes who you want to be team leaders.
The first quality that a leader must have is a positive ATTITUDE. There is a popular saying, “Attitude determines Altitude”. I am a firm believer in this simple concept. If you believe you can, you can…and more importantly, you will. Obstacles are only challenges, not impossibilities, and the great player understands this concept. Leaders don’t complain about hardships. They “use the difficulty” to become stronger people and better players. If you have a team with a collection of great attitudes, simply put, you’ve got a team!
For an individual to succeed, they must be willing to submit themselves to the good of the team. In other words, leaders must practice overall SELFLESSNESS. Will they sacrifice to make themselves and their teammates better? Will they bring the young players or new players along and show them how you expect things to be done? It today’s game, players must know and accept their role, regardless of the flash it might entail. A true leader willingly sacrifices personal glory for team glory.
A leader understands that they are a role model. Good CHARACTER is always monitored by a true leader. They accept that role and value its importance. They realize that they are a role model to their teammates, their program and to the community. They believe in doing the right thing the right way all the time.
Great players have an intense desire to succeed. They push themselves harder that anybody else possibly could. While winning is important, it is only a small piece of the puzzle. A leader will RELENTLESSLY PURSUE EXCELLENCE in all phases of their life to fulfill their goals.
It is impossible for a player to be born “good”. Great players are self-made and they are self-made by hours of hard work and dedication. A leader has an intense WORK ETHIC that pushes them to get up, get moving and get achieving. They don’t take time off. They spend hours in the gym, alone, with no one around, taking jump shot after jump shot, practicing dribble after dribble. Leaders have a passion for the game and a passion for being the best they can be.
Every program faces challenges and these challenges can affect each and every player on the team. Leaders always seem to be able to PERSEVERE, no matter how hard times get. When faced with obstacles, they “use the difficulty” to become better players and stronger people. They rally their teammates and motivate others to rise above the ashes and accept the challenge that greatness requires.
Finally, CONSISTENCY if that final ingredient that makes a leader a leader. Can I count on you day to day? Occasional greatness is a fluke. I want someone who is going to give me a consistent effort, a consistent attitude day after day.
In over 10 years of coaching, these are the qualities that I want in my players…especially in those athletes who I expect to set the example for others to follow. Give me fifteen student-athletes who have positive attitudes, a selfless approach to others, good character, a drive to relentlessly pursue excellence, a strong work ethic, the toughness to persevere and a consistent approach and we will win some games. And, more importantly, we will have a recipe for success for our total program.