What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Coach Rob Jones shares coaching stories and discusses his journey to becoming a successful youth coach.
Rob played for Coach Nolan Richardson at Arkansas, and is currently an assistant coach at Battle Ground Academy in Nashville Tennessee. He is married and has three children- ages 9-19, and works in pharmaceutical sales.
Battleground Academy link: BGA
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Coaching/Leadership Quote
‘Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better is best.’
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Coaching your own Kid
Don’t over-coach your own kid or show any favoritism
HUGE IDEA #1: Take the time on the car ride home – Right when you get in the car – ‘Any thing else you want to tell coach?’ – and ‘Here is the last thing I am going to tell the player(if any)’ – After that just be Dad again
My ‘Cringe’ Moment
‘I was a poor winner – and all about winning.’
Coaching AH-HA Moment
Changing the primary goal from winning to teaching the kids how to play the game and have fun
Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun
You have to simplify everything and make it crystal clear
Cool dribbling drill – Put change (quarters, nickels, dimes) at spots on the court – kids have to go pick it up, then go put the change back using the opposite hand
Best Stolen Idea
Everything in his practices is broken into 4 quarters – and the energy level builds up throughout the practice
Coaching Resources
HUGE IDEA #2 - Great Resources!!
Coachingtoolbox.net – Has playbooks, drills, quotes
Pointguardcollege.com – Lots of drills
The Men’s basketball Coaches’ Insider - See how the best college coaches do drills
Book – ‘Think Like a Champion’ by Dick DeVenzio
Discipline
Discipline is almost always done as a team not individually
Reward, Recognition, and Teambuilding
When coaching youth – Coach Rob came up with fun and unique rewards – not for the most points, but something like ‘the craziest socks’
Inspiring Story
Rob shares a great story about a kid who was very talented but very hard on himself. Coach kept encouraging the young man to play for the enjoyment of the game- and finally his senior year the light bulb went off – and he thrived and led his team to win the state championship.
The One that Got Away
Coach shared a story about coaching his oldest daughter in a 5th grade all-star game and losing his cool and getting a technical foul
Coaching/Leadership Motivation
Quote: ‘Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better is best.’
Quote: ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, become more – you’re a leader’ – John Quincy Adams
Parting Advice
Focus on the little things and set goals around the little things – don’t worry about the scoreboard. Make your priorities around teaching the kids and improving throughout the season.
Interview Links
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