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As coaches, we hear "I know" often from our players. It is the coach's job to instruct and critique players in hopes that players are able to apply what we are teaching them. Sometimes what we teach works and sometimes it doesn't. That's life. If what you practice continues to show positive results, then by all means continue to follow that behavior. However, if that which you are doing does not consistently show positive results then a change needs be made and we attempt something different. Ideally when a coach offers an adjustment to a players game, it is because the coach knows more than the player about the game of lacrosse, and the changes being made are done so with the best interest of the player and the team in mind.
Too often we, as coaches, hear "I know" as a response to recommendations for what a player is doing on the field. What can be frustrating is that "I know" often comes before the coach even gets the message to the player. This ultimately begs the question, "What do you know?" Young players often don't know and what may come as a surprise is that it is totally FINE if you don't!!! In fact, you are not supposed to!!!
Sometimes it seems that players are afraid of the coach's criticism, hurting their feelings because they are wrong and the coach is right. As a coach, I look at things in terms of whether they Work or they Don't Work, instead of Right or Wrong. If something Works or Doesn't Work, the focus is on the OUTCOME. Right or Wrong focuses on the ACTION. Coaches want their teams to WORK effectively, efficiently and together.
A coach's job is to instruct. A player's job is to take that instruction and apply it on the field. This doesn't mean that coaches are always correct or that players are always wrong. I have learned a lot from players about how to coach and what to coach.
I love the fact that I know that I have so much to learn in this life. I work everyday to become a better coach, friend, businessman and person. I know that I have so much to learn, and I seek out people who know more than I do or are better than me at certain things. This is how we improve. I hire assistant coaches that have a knowledge or expertise beyond that which I know.
Knowing that you DON'T know everything is the first step in improving anything that you work on. I know I don't know everything, and I like to believe that is why I will become a better coach in the future. So, the next time you want to respond with "I know" maybe try "Ok, coach." You might be pleasantly surprised.
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