October 20, 2014 - Be Worried When The Coach Is Silent...

I often quote and praise the words/philosophies of Coach John Wooden; yet today I will respectfully disagree with him… He was very laid back during games, believing that most of his job was to be done in practices and then let it play out… (Obviously it worked for him.)

While I was on the sidelines I spent a lot of time during games teaching. I was constantly calling out reminders and corrections. I wanted to be a voice to my players not only in the practices but also in the heat of battle; I was “in the game” with them! (And here I will confess I didn’t have anywhere near the winning percentage that Coach Wooden had…)

Yet the obvious difference here is the ability of the players one is coaching to comprehend and carryout the coaching instructions. The more advanced the player, the less the coach should have to remind and correct… (So in my defense, the players Wooden had were a bit more advanced than what I had.)

I have been reminded recently of a truth I used to hear as a player and then reiterated as a coach… be worried when the coach isn’t getting on you! The reality is that a coach that cares is going to make some noise to remind and correct. A minister that cares is going to make some noise to remind and correct. A parent that cares is going to make some noise to remind and correct.

I remember growing up hearing the phrase “get off my back!” This cry to be independent of instruction and accountability is a fool’s cry. We all should long for someone in our lives that cares enough to tell us the truth and give us instruction. We should be accountable and submissive. We should realize the leader cares when we hear him “barking.”

Proverbs 17:10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.

Proverbs 18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.

Are you open to instruction? Chastening?

As a coach, teacher, minister, parent are you making some noise?

I want to Make A Difference in this life!